**This story takes place 3 years before the current storyline**

This was not any ordinary day, she had been working for the Vampire Hunters for a few years now and had only been getting lower ranking cases. This was her first big one, her first break, she wanted to make an impression, she wanted them to know she was there to stay, most of all she wanted her brother to know she wasn’t going anywhere. 

She could have chosen anything, but she chose this, a vampire working as a Vampire Hunter, now that’s unusual but not unheard of. She made a name for herself during the day as a hairstylist, she loved it, it suited her bubbly personality just fine.

Her night time job on the other hand suited her serious side just as well, she needed it, she could let go and be as fierce as she wanted, no holding back in this job. Vampire Hunters die if they hold back, maybe she wouldn’t, being a vampire, but someone else might die if she held back, and all she ever wanted was to help. 

She wanted to save lives, to make a difference, to avoid what had happened all those years ago to happen again. She wanted to keep the city safe from vampires like her father, like her own family. Artemis wanted to keep her brother safe. 

She got the call on Solstice eve, a vampire out for blood, five victims, all working the Solstice fair at the old Dawn square. The season was always high in deaths, high on blood. Artemis knew she had to get this vampire before Solstice day.

Cold air poured over her as she passed the Dawn river, twinkling lights left and right marking the season, she adjusted her scarf and pulled in the warm scent of the coffee in her hand. She felt a chilling breeze shuffle her red hair out of place, she pulled a mirror out of her bag to adjust it. The fair was lively, she heard the music long before she even reached it. Old Dawn square was swarming with people, the air was filled with the scents of freshly baked Solstice swirls and the famous Dawn Solstice brew. Artemis had to resist buying some, she knew she was here for work, the brew could wait until later. 

She kept her eyes open, glancing around at every person passing by, she found at the centre of the fair, a large fountain adorned with a winged cherub. Artemis sat down at the edge of the fountain, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, she needed to focus. Her mind went still as she listened to every sound, inhaling every scent, it was as if they swirled around her, every scent a different shade. She suddenly caught it, the scent of blood, she leapt up from the fountain. Artemis followed the trail of the scent, it was taking her past the Solstice swirls, past knitted socks and Solstice candles, she stopped. 

She glanced around, delicate jewellery, handmade with crystals and gems. These are gorgeous. She thought to herself, the trail was gone, she lost focus, staring at a necklace, a sun and a moon that could either go together or split apart. 

“See anything you like?” The seller asked, he had a charming smile, wearing a brown woolly sweater. 

“These necklaces… How much are they? Everything looks amazing, do you make these?” Artemis marvelled, holding up the sun and moon necklace. 

“You have good taste, I made these with my sister, before she died… I can’t really make them as nicely myself, so these are pretty unique.” He smiled, glancing down at the necklaces, his brown eyes glittering alongside all the twinkling lights. 

“I’m so sorry about your sister, I think I will take this. I still need a gift for my brother, and I don’t know if he will like it, but I love it so he will just have to love it too.” Artemis remarked, smiling at the seller, she pushed a stray hair away from her face. 

“I can wrap it for you, and I’ll give you a special discount too.” The seller winked at her. “I’m Jake by the way.” He added as he took the necklace from Artemis.

“I’m Artemis.” She chimed, glancing at all the other jewellery as he wrapped up the necklace. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard that name before, it’s really pretty though.” He remarked, looking at her, smiling. 

“My mother named me. Artemis is some obscure goddess. I always hated the name until recently. I guess I’m growing into it.” Artemis stated, smiling warmly at Jake. 

“Well, here’s your gift, all wrapped up. I hope your brother will like it. If he doesn't, he can come talk to me.” Jake jested, laughing as he handed her the gift. 

“Say, would you like to have a drink with me later?” He added, while taking her money 

“Sure, why not, I’m always up for a drink.” She grinned, writing her number down on a piece of paper. “Here, call me when you’re ready for that drink.” She told Jake, handing him the paper. 

Ugh, why did I lose track of what I was supposed to do, focus Artemis. She thought as she wandered around the fair some more, little children singing Solstice songs, the cheers of people winning games, she focused again, the scent flowed in around her, that brew was smelling really nice. Focus Artemis. She told herself. 

Why am I so off my game today? Is it because I’m worrying about Luke? She couldn’t shake that nagging feeling inside, she wanted to be on better terms with Luke, but he kept avoiding her. 

 Artemis gave in, she bought a brew and sat down by the fountain again. She sat there glaring at everyone passing by, hours went by, she was getting frustrated with herself. Why can’t I focus? She asked herself again. She felt her phone vibrating in her coat pocket. As she answered, the scent of blood came flowing past her. 

“Do you wanna come share a drink with me?” Jake asked her. 

“I can’t right now, I will call you back.” Artemis replied, before swiftly dashing off in the direction of the blood, the scent was strong. 

She hurried past all the cheer, the scent flowing past everything into a small back alley. 

The cold breeze travelled straight through the alley, hitting her face as she stared at the vampire, holding his latest victim, she was not dead yet. 

“There you are, I thought you said you were too busy for that drink?” Jake called out to her, her face froze. Why this guy? He didn’t seem bad? Artemis’ thoughts were racing, she stared at him firmly.

“Jake? I thought you meant a different kind of drink.” Artemis remarked, walking over to him. 

“Between vampires is there any other drink?” He smirked, nodding to the girl, she looked dazed, half conscious. 

“Always the same, blood, blood, blood, blood. Can’t you think of anything better to do with your time?” Artemis sneered as she furrowed her eyebrows, baring her fangs at him. 

“Did you kill the other five people as well?” She bellowed, staring intently at him. 

“Someone needs to chill out, maybe drink some blood… You seem a bit grumpy, maybe you’re just hungry?” He teased, gesturing to the dazed girl again. 

Artemis sighed. “That’s not it, don’t mix me in with you guys, I might be a vampire but I don’t kill humans. I kill other vampires…” She fumed, as she pulled a stick out of her coat, her thumb pushed a small button on the side of it and it expanded into a long scythe. Jake's eyes opened wide. 

“You gotta be kidding me? You’re a hunter?” He exclaimed loudly, before he started laughing maniacally. 

“Artemis is a hunter goddess, and this will be your last night on earth, say your goodbyes to the moonlit sky.” Artemis swung her scythe as she dashed towards Jake. He leapt up, over her, landing behind her. She steadied herself as she swiftly twirled around, graceful as a ballerina, she swung the scythe again, this time sprinting past him. She whacked his chest with the blunt end of the scythe, he grabbed it, laughing even more manically, throwing Artemis and the scythe right into the wall. She quickly got on her feet, her eyes locked on him, she took a deep breath. Time to focus, Artemis. She told herself, her face became very serious. 

“I’m giving you a chance to leave this world peacefully.” She told him. Artemis did not like doing this, but it was not about her, it was about the people she could save. 

“Peacefully?! The only way I leave this world is kicking and screaming.” He laughed, she thought he looked as though all reason had left him. 

“Is this about your sister?” She asked Jake, trying to find some reason. 

“Don’t you talk about my sister, she was killed by a hunter! And for what? Just being a vampire? Don’t joke around with me, pretending to be a hunter when you’re just a vampire as well. You know one day they will kill you too… just for being a vampire.” Jake shouted, tears and spit pouring out through his laughter. 

“It doesn’t matter if they do, I'm doing this to help people, not to help myself. I’m sorry, but I have to do this.” Artemis explained, calm had found her again. She breathed in and out, looking at Jake, her eyes full of fire.

She swirled her scythe as flames started forming, spreading across the metal. 

In one swift move she ended his life. The blade went through his neck, and the flames engulfed him. The flames felt gentle and kind, not violent and painful, it was almost as if they caressed him. 

Artemis carried the girl away, she called for the cleaners to come help her to a hospital and sort out her memories. 

She felt worn out, she hated ending a life, but she could tell he was lost in the blood, there was no going back for him. 

She pulled the key out of her coat pocket to unlock her apartment door.

Something is off… She thought as she twisted the key, she opened the door carefully, peeking inside. 

“Your hair looks unusually messy.” She heard Luke saying. 

Her frown changed to a smile as she saw a wonderful Solstice meal set on the table. 

“I thought you were busy for Solstice?” She exclaimed, throwing her coat off. 

“I didn’t have anything else to do, I guess I was kinda bored.” Luke shrugged, his voice sounded as stoic as ever, Artemis hugged him. 

“I’m happy you came! I bought you a present. Err… Well, I actually bought you a few, I didn’t know what to choose.” She chimed as she sat down at the table.

“You should do something about your locks… Too easy for someone to break in.” Luke muttered as he sat down as well.

Artemis smiled. “I didn’t know that… I guess this building is not the safest anyway.” She giggled, helping herself to everything on the table. “This roast looks divine, it must have taken you hours to make!” She remarked.

“I was just testing a new recipe. And I was testing your kitchen as well, it’s not great.” He told Artemis, his expression not changing. 

“I think you should move in with me. It’s much safer and it makes more sense since my place is big and we are both living alone.” He added, his eyes focused on the food. 

“When can I move in?!” Artemis beamed, taking a mouthful of Luke’s Solstice feast.

“This is soooo tasty.” She added, gobbling up the food. 

Luke smirked slightly. “I got you a gift too.” He mumbled, looking down, passing a small box across the table. 

Artemis glanced at it with wide eyes before she carefully opened it, inside was a key. 

“It’s the key to my place. So you can move in whenever. No big deal.” He muttered, glancing over at Artemis. Her eyes were full of tears. 

“This is the best gift ever.” She cried, full of joy. “Here’s the gift I got for you today.” Artemis went over to Luke and handed him the gift before she gave him a big hug.

He opened it, she could see his eyes looked slightly amazed. He lifted the necklace out of the box. “It splits in two, see.” She told Luke, pulling the necklace apart. 

His eyes opened wide. “I don’t dislike it.” He said, putting the sun around his neck.

“Let’s watch a Solstice movie.” Artemis exclaimed!