Chapter 36

(Four)

The tension was incredible, One had called us back together again for a meeting and it was clear to me that our time had come. We knew the demons tricks, we had cleared the way taking out its bodyguard, we had documented its abilities, we even knew its true form.

Most people in the room felt the same way and there was a murmur of excitement as there always was when the hunt was finally approaching. The knights were always meticulous in our planning and preparation and never struck till we were in perfect readiness but we were only human and anticipation sometimes got the better of us.

I looked around at my fellow Knights arrayed around this empty warehouse we were meeting in. Two was across from me his thick milk bottle glasses and stooped posture the same as always. Yet even in his dour expression I saw glints of excitement. Most of the upper levels of the Knights had little to do after the tracking was complete, besides plan the final chase, arrange the hunt, and then make sure everything was clean. Two's involvement was nearly over but it would be a job well done thanks to mine and Five's efforts.

Five was here grinning flirtatiously with Seven, a large man of possibly Chinese decent, he was an expert with a gun. As Five liked things close and personal with her array of knives he was more of a long range specialist. It was poor security protocol for the two of them to be flirting but with the hunt so close we could all taste it some of our usual rigorousness was slipping. Next to them Three and Six were joking about something, Three was a tall muscular woman with dark hair and coffee coloured skin who liked blunt weapons, Six a thin pale man who specialised in explosives and electronics. Next to me was Eight a quiet man nondescript man, all I knew of him was he liked fire. I suspected he was going to love our target.

The door swung open and One strode into the room, we all fell silent.

"Knights the time has come!" he roared.

The room erupted with cheers.

"Thanks to your efforts we know the beast's tricks and have also cleared a path to begin the hunt," he nodded to two.

"We will take it tomorrow, one final act to make it possible to capture the beast and give us the time we need. The details of the capture attempt are in these folders," he said handing round a series of small folders to everyone.

"Once we have the monster we have a location prepared where we will not be disturbed. I have also decided that given the evil we have all seen in this beast I will lead the hunt personally!"

I let out an involuntary gasp. One was a great leader but he was strictly hands off. He never involved himself personally in the hunts always maintaining a distance between himself and the actual execution of the monsters. Looking around the room I could see I wasn't the only one surprised. Normally should any of our number get caught or be turned One would be insulated and could carry on our great work by recruiting more Knights. That he was taking the risk of leading us himself said that this was a truly exceptional case. As my memory replayed the creature in its demonic form I found myself in agreement we needed all the help we could get against this demon.

"So my friends rest well tonight, for tomorrow the hunt begins!"

We saluted One and then dispersed it would be a great day tomorrow. We would face a demon in honourable combat and we would see to it that it would be its last day on this earth.