The warehouse in Wadron City still smelled of ashes and dried blood when Kimberly returned to Salt Blake.
Inside the hidden base under the Blood's Bar, her team waited, tense and silent. Roshi, Mandy, and Roberto didn't need many words to realize something was wrong—the symbol carved on the werewolf's chest wasn't just a mark. It was a warning.
"Did you guys see this?" Kimberly said, leaning her sword against the wall and showing a photo.
"The Circle of the Night. That's… not good."
Roshi snorted.
"We've been expecting something big. That symbol doesn't show up for no reason."
Mandy studied the image on her tablet, frowning.
"This isn't just any werewolf. I've seen something like that symbol before—in old grimoires. It's older than any spell I know."
Roberto's glasses reflected the light from several screens as he spoke, voice trembling with excitement.
"And I think I found a lead. There's an abandoned site near Frashburn mentioned in some old records—it could be linked to that organization…"
Kimberly sighed.
"Look, I'd love to go all detective right now, but that's not our problem. I'm gonna crash for a bit. Thanks, guys."
They all nodded, each reacting in their own way. Kimberly headed to her room, stripped off her coat and gear, hanging everything neatly before stepping into the shower.
Her body was covered in scars—old wounds from werewolf claws. Those cuts could tear through a vampire's flesh, and even though she was a halfblood, they still burned.
When she came out, clean and quiet, she grabbed a blood pack from the mini-fridge and drank slowly. It was her usual post-battle routine to regain strength.
Then she lay on her bed, turned on the TV, and watched cartoons—something she secretly enjoyed—until sleep finally pulled her under.
The sunlight barely slipped through the curtains when Kimberly opened her eyes. Unlike most of her kind, the light didn't burn—just made her squint like any lazy human on a normal morning.
She got up, body still heavy from the last mission.
In the bathroom, she rested her hands on the cold sink and stared at her reflection. Water ran through her fingers before she splashed it on her face, the chill waking her up completely.
"New day, new hunts," she muttered, drying her face with a towel.
She walked into the small kitchen area. The smell of fresh coffee filled the air—Roberto's doing, no doubt, since he was always up early studying or hacking.
Kimberly grabbed an apple and two slices of toast someone had left on the counter. Sitting down, she ate slowly, almost looking… normal.
The contrast was strange: a battle-scarred hunter of monsters having breakfast like a regular girl.
Roberto passed by with a tablet in hand.
"Morning, sunshine," he teased. "Didn't expect a vampire to be up this early."
Kimberly raised an eyebrow.
"Morning, my favorite nerd."
They shared a half-smile before she finished eating and went to grab her jacket.
By the time she stepped outside, Salt Blake City was already alive and buzzing.
Later that morning, she met up with Mandy for supply shopping.
The air smelled of new leather and enchanted fabrics. Kimberly tested the flexibility of a black combat jacket while Mandy explained the runes stitched into it.
"What if I use this to slip away from a chase?" Kimberly asked, smirking.
"Then you'll probably tear it apart and screw yourself," Mandy replied, keeping a straight face.
"Watch your language, sweetheart."
"Coming from you?" Mandy shot back, laughing as she gave Kimberly a light slap on the shoulder.
By afternoon, they were back at the hideout, surrounded by snacks and movie posters.
They watched Mr. & Mrs. Smith—Kimberly mocked every cliché scene, while Mandy threw popcorn at her between laughs.
"You're impossible," Mandy said, grinning.
"I'm a professional critic," Kimberly answered with a smug smile.
When night fell, Roberto joined them for a few rounds of Street Fighter IV.
Despite her supernatural reflexes, Kimberly lost the first match, making Mandy laugh even harder.
"You're underestimating me, nerd," Kimberly warned, cracking her knuckles. "You'll regret that."
Hours later, the laughter faded when an alert flashed across Roberto's screens—a video call.
On the display appeared a woman with sharp features, long blonde hair, and icy blue eyes. Her pale skin revealed her nature before she even spoke.
"Kimberly," she began, voice smooth yet venomous. "I've heard of you—the halfblood hunter with no clan allegiance. I need your services."
Kimberly's jaw tightened.
"A vampire hiring a monster hunter? That's new."
The woman smiled faintly.
"That's exactly why I'm calling. My daughter, Tory, rebelled against my clan and ran away. I want her found and brought back. You'll be well compensated."
"How well?" Kimberly asked, one brow arched.
"One hundred thousand dollars," the woman replied flatly.
The room went silent. Even for dangerous work, that was a huge amount. Everyone's mind wandered for a second, imagining what they could do with the money.
"And you are…?" Kimberly pressed.
"Sophie. The last place my daughter was seen was a vampire club in Argun City. I'll send the location."
Kimberly exhaled slowly. She didn't like the job, but the money was too good to pass up.
"Consider it done."
Back in her room, she geared up.
Mandy handed her a new suit—black leather reinforced with crimson details, made for speed and stealth.
Roshi passed her hidden blades and custom silver rounds. Kimberly strapped her sword to her back, holstered her pistols, and threw on her long coat.
In the mirror, she applied light makeup—enough to blend in at nightclubs, not enough to draw suspicion.
Then she grabbed her motorcycle keys.
The engine roared, echoing through the empty streets as she rode off toward Argun City—the city of vampires.
Argun City reached for the heavens with glass towers and red neon lights painting the night. Kimberly checked into a cheap motel on the outskirts—just enough to stay off the radar.
Roberto's voice came through her earpiece.
"Be careful, Kim. That city belongs to them after dark."
"I know. Keep the line open," she replied, cutting the connection.
When night fully claimed the city, she headed to the club.
The place was massive—golden pillars, crimson chandeliers, and a stage where pale dancers moved to the rhythm of deep, haunting music.
The air smelled of wine… and blood.
As Kimberly stepped in, eyes turned toward her. Vampires whispered, curious, before returning to their act of decadence.
A dancer with green eyes, crimson lipstick, and long legs approached, tracing a finger down Kimberly's arm.
"Care for some… company tonight?" she purred.
For a brief second, Kimberly almost let herself be distracted by the vampire's beauty—but then smirked.
"Tempting, but not tonight."
The dancer smiled, leaning closer.
"Your loss, darling. I'll be near the dance floor if you change your mind."
Kimberly watched her walk away, amused, before sitting at a table.
A waiter brought a glass filled with a dark red liquid.
"O-positive. House special," he said politely.
"No, thanks," she replied coldly, pushing it aside.
Scanning the crowd, her gaze froze on a young woman with short blonde hair and defiant eyes.
Her aura was unmistakable.
Tory.
And for the first time that night, Kimberly realized this job was about to get complicated.