Hunter Maximus
Chapter 39

Maximus’ POV

I wake up from a deep sleep, opening groggy eyes, squinting against the lights on the ceiling. My senses feel dull, something wasn’t right.

I sit upright in the bed I’m in as quickly as possible – feeling slow and sluggish. I see all my friends around me, Darrius, Jennifer and Claudia. I also spot Meredith the witch, they are all staring at me as if assessing my condition.

“How do you feel?” Darrius asks.

I can’t reply, not when I see Isobel beside me.

She is bloodied but whole once more.

I do something I haven’t done in decades – I feel emotions start to creep in behind my eyes, making them watery.

“Isobel,” I quickly turn to her and place my hand on her warm cheek, “She is alive, isn’t she? I can’t hear her heart beat but I see she is breathing. There is something wrong with me,” I look at all my friends accusingly, but my eyes rest on Meredith in the end, “I’m not up to scratch, I should heal soon – but what the hell did you guys force down my throat?” I glare at Meredith and Darrius.

Darrius is looking at me like I’m an alien or a ghost – his eyes critically looking me up and down.

“For fucks sake,” he mutters, not seeming too happy with himself, “It worked – too well.”

I see Claudia’s hand fly up to her mouth at Darrius’ words.

“Are you serious?” She asks, eyes wide, “Is he –”

“Yes,” Darrius snaps.

“What the hell did you give me?” I ask again, but I can’t growl it... I can’t – “Fuck.”

No fucking way.

It suddenly all made sense.

I was weaker, couldn’t growl, couldn’t hear heart beats and the hunger in my stomach was something that I hadn’t felt in a long time.

In centuries.

Isobel’s POV

I remember waking up in a haze of fury and anger, with a need to kill all those around me. I had opened my eyes to see friends I now considered enemies. I remember the killer instinct, a part of being a vampire, totally consuming me. All while my body healed and I was still in great pain.

Then something was forced down my throat.

And I was knocked unconscious once more.

Now I could feel myself waking. I felt groggy, numb, sore. But a whole lot better than before. My limbs and stomach actually felt back in place now.

I open my eyes, just as I hear Maximus swear beside me.

“How the fuck could you?” He snarls.

“I had no other choice,” Darrius responds.

“Please, calm down,” Jennifer adds in, sounding stressed out and worried.

“What’s the problem?” I ask, trying to open my eyes and squinting at the powerful lights coming from the ceiling. A familiar ceiling. I was in my new room once again.

“You gave the same thing to Isobel too, didn’t you?” Maximus asks low and beyond pissed off.

“Why are you so angry for?” Jennifer asks, “We saved both your lives!”

I try and sit up and see Maximus sitting next to me, I reach for his arm to hoist myself up further and come into contact with skin more warm than usual. He must have a high temperature or something because his skin was never this warm, ever. Could vampires get fevers?

“Maximus, what’s happening?” I ask. People finally turn to look at me and everyone frowns.

Claudia steps forward and in doing so seems to take the responsibility of explaining what the huge deal was.

All I remember was being attacked, now I was awake again. I didn’t understand why everyone looked so nervous or why Maximus was looking more than bewildered. He opens his mouth to explain but can’t seem to get the words out.

“We brought you both back to life,” Claudia says, “But... don’t you feel different?”

“Yes,” I say, “I feel... normal. I don’t know, all my senses seem dulled like when I was a human – am I a human again?” I ask this, grinning, it’s a joke – of course I’m not human. Just to check, I reach up to feel if my fangs are still there.

They... aren’t.

Oh shit.

Wait... what the hell? How was I human again?

“It was the only way,” Jennifer whispers, “Meredith is the best witch we could find to help us bring you guys back to life after you were both attacked.”

“Maximus,” I say, grabbing his arm and shaking him, “You said you were attacked too – did you heal on your own or –”

“They gave me the same potion,” he admits, looking shaken.

Then I realise what that means.

“Y-you’re... you’re... no way. You can’t be,” I can’t even say the words, “We’re both human again?”

“Well, not exactly,” Claudia says, “You were both never really humans to begin with, remember? You were both born vampire hunters. You’re both vampire hunters now. Ironic, huh?”

“Okay!” Maximus suddenly stands up from the bed, hands in the air, “I’ve heard enough, Darrius? Drink me dry and snap my neck, I think I’ve been human long enough. I want to be back to how I’m meant to be. Immortal and funny!”

“I would suggest waiting,” The one woman I don’t recognise speaks, she looks like a witch. Her hair is a sparkling silver colour.

“Why is that?” Maximus asks, his face going red in anger.

“You’re body just went through two transformations,” she says, “First transformed into Eddrick’s enhanced vampire being to help heal the wounds, then you were dosed up on a cure for your inevitable insanity. If you try and turn back into a vampire now, you might die in the process. Give your body time to rest. A couple of days at least, before you go ahead to willingly change back into a vampire once more.”

Everyone goes silent, waiting for Maximus to respond.

“Darrius?” He asks eventually, filling the awkward silence.

“I will turn you,” he replies slowly, a grin spreading across his face, “But for a few days, I am going to enjoy your state of weakness. With much amusement.”

I can’t help it, I start to laugh. This was actually quite funny.

“Don’t think you’re getting out of this either, Isobel,” Maximus glares at me over his shoulder, “Once I’m turned, you’ll be next.”

I instantly stop laughing.

I was back to being human and I liked it.

Maximus thought he could forcefully turn me twice?

I don’t think so.

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