The woods at this time of night were unnerving. Creeping cautiously through the undergrowth, you bit at your lower lip, anxiety wracking your body with every snap of a twig underfoot. You shook the nerves away as best you could - this was important. Your first assignment had to go well. This was how you proved to your superiors that you were capable of being a Department Investigator, that you weren’t just some incompetent trainee anymore. But no amount of training could’ve prepared you for the real thing.

The case was simple. A rogue vampire gone missing. It was dangerous, sure, but things weren’t going to get easier. Still, stalking around on Rebane territory while the moon hung in the darkened sky was not your idea of a fun night out. A whoosh of air behind you sent you reeling, spinning round in second with your hand flying to your belt, hand wrapping around the grip of the gun that was fixed there. Not that it would be much good. Swinging your gaze around wildly, you squinted into the dark, goosebumps prickling over your arms. This was like a horror movie come to life.

“Boo.”

Cold breath ghosted over the back of your neck, and you stumbled forwards with a choked gasp, pulling the gun free and training it on the man that had somehow appeared behind you from thin air. His laugh was deep and rich as he regarded you, glancing down at the pistol with narrow eyes, amused smirk telling you he wasn’t the least bit threatened. You opened your mouth to scream. For what? For help?

“Awh, c’mon, you’re alright, you’re okay. Hush, sweets, you’ll hurt my damn ears.”