Free Hunting Will by Alex Albrinck Page A

the stall of the sole remaining horse in the barn, opened it, and led the animal out into the paddock. He wasn’t sure why Clint hadn’t gotten the animals into the barn for the night yet, but he wasn’t going to let a decent animal like a horse pay for a crime humans had committed. Dogs or cats, sure. But not horses.
    With the barn free of worthy creatures, The Assassin summoned up his Energy, transformed it into flames, and began setting the structure on fire. His fire. The special flame burned well, though some materials were resistant. He’d been working on a special mixture that would cause his flame to burn at a higher temperature and in a controlled space, which might make a useful tool someday. Here, however, with dried wood, straw, and animal droppings, he had all the kindling and fuel he needed.
    He pictured the faces of the ones he’d lost so long ago, then the faces of the monsters he called humans who had taken them from him, and recalled the vow of revenge he’d sworn as a result. The fire burst from him, fueled by his anger at the memory, igniting every flammable surface. His goal was simple: he would erase every trace of the existence of the human woman who had interacted with an Aliomenti, because she might have learned of their existence. She would no longer be able to tell others about them, raise concerns that they might be involved in something… evil. She would not rouse a mob to attack his people and terminate them. He had failed to protect his people once, and especially the two he’d truly cared for, and it had become his mission in life to ensure that no Aliomenti ever again died at the hands of a human. It would be simpler to exterminate them all at once and be free of the scourge forever. Though he was frustrated at the glacial pace his leaders authorized kills, however, he was still doing the work he was called to do.
    He let the flames touch him, enjoying the sensation of peace they brought to him. His gift with fire extended to protection from the flames; he could not be burned, and the flames felt like a warm, gentle breeze might feel to others. But he knew that he needed to be away from here when the fire was discovered, despite the fact that he’d ensured they’d never discover the woman’s body.
    He left the barn and walked away into the night, never bothering to turn around to watch as the inferno consumed the building. His job was complete, and he went back to the hotel, waiting for the others to complete their own missions.
    It was only later, as he was cleaning his sword and preparing to sleep, that he realized there had been no blood on the back of the woman’s clothing when he’d rolled her over.

    ●●●●●

    The Hunters had stationed themselves in the rental car, slouching low to ensure that nobody saw them. They expected that any of the humans leaving the party and driving by would simply assume the empty car belonged to someone still in the house at the party.
    They had two new challenges to overcome. Porthos hadn’t been able to complete his portion of the serum injection; Clint would get drowsy, but wouldn’t fall asleep. Secondly, he knew they were there and would be coming for him, and he’d undoubtedly be preparing for their impending attack. Porthos tracked the man’s Energy constantly, attempting to ensure that he didn’t try to escape before the party ended, when privacy would allow the Hunters to employ Energy-based tactics to capture him without fear of exposure. Clint, however, proved an excellent host; he didn’t leave the house, even as the guest count dwindled while the night wore on.
    “Here’s a thought,” Porthos said. “Let’s go back to the house. Go inside. Find Clint. Aramis acts like he’s had too much to drink, and stumbles into him, talking about how much he’s missed him and he wishes they could be friends again. That Dampers Clint, and probably makes everyone in the house earlier think that the previous conversation was just