“I want to apply strategy and modern weaponry to eliminate the threat,” Marc began. “When we leap forward you clear what was left behind, or overwhelm sites that serve as a refuge for ghouls.”

“Ghouls, Sir?”

“That vile creature with glowing eyes you dispatched.”

The reaction in Murphy’s face was readily apparent as the mention of it was enough to send him back to that battlefield. Marc observed the man fighting against a shiver running down his spine.

“Never underestimate the fairer sex,” Marc said. “I dare say that you wouldn’t stand a chance against one of their women.”

Murphy cocked a brow but did not otherwise betray himself.

“Then why not use them?” Murphy asked.

“An excellent question,” Marc replied. “Like me, hunters are a relative rarity.”

That was the truth, intelligence reports indicated there were dozens of teams operating along the lines and their success ratio was dismally low. I never understood how they can continue operating with their casualty rates.

“No man can do what you did back there,” Murphy said.

“What I did?” Marc replied. “True, but men and women have been hunting monsters for millennia.”

At the mention of the term women Murphy’s eyes returned the photograph. It seemed that the Sergeant had no problem delving into the supernatural, but was hesitant to ask about the nude picture on his desk.

“Women?” The Sergeant managed to say after a two second pause.

“Never underestimate the fairer sex,” Marc said. “I dare say that you wouldn’t stand a chance against one of their women.”

“T-Thank you,” Murphy said.

“I assure you the pleasure is mine, Sergeant,” Marc replied. “I want to establish a team of skilled soldiers to operate day and night.”

That part was not unexpected as soldiers were on the line. The big difference was who their opponents would be.

“You’ve seen for yourself what we’re up against,” Marc began. “Let the generals and their armies deal with the Huns.”

“No man can do what you did back there,” Murphy said.

“I plan to expand the latter,” Marc said.

“I want in, Sir.”

Marc pointed to a chair with a back against the opposing wall by the entrance. Private Moreau scrounged it for Marc, but he preferred the ability to turn around and look those who visited in the eye.

As Murphy stepped inside to sit down his eyes caught something on the desk. It did not take much for Marc to guess what the man noticed. He’d have to be dead to miss it.

“That’s part of the reason I’m here, Sergeant,” Marc said.

“A part, Sir?” Murphy asked.

“I provide intelligence that… is unavailable through regular channels. When I have the time, I venture out on hunts.”

The Sergeant smiled upon hearing that last part. Marc returned the smile because he knew then and there that he found the right man for the job.

Evelyn was an expert at it, but she preferred to use her natural charm and feminine wiles to get what she wanted. For Evelyn it’s all about the challenge and the game. People seldom notice the supernatural when they’re charmed.

Marc needed his blood to ensure silence, doubly so if Murphy chose to treat him like the monster he was. 

“I want to make sure no one ever ends up in a situation like mine.”

Overall a great answer, and it took him several heartbeats to say it out loud. This further highlighted the reason and temperance that made him invaluable for the role.

“Yes… Sir,” Murphy replied while tensing his jaw muscles.

Marc smiled and enabled his fangs to protrude. The pearly white and sharp fangs caused Murphy to take on a sharp breath but he did not react.

“You’re correct,” Marc said. “So why are you here?”

Marc’s gamble hinged on this one answer. This was one of the few times he wished to have the voice. Many of his kin could modulate their voices to pass on commands and compel.

“I don’t know, Sir,” Murphy began. “I don’t think they were men.”

The ability to be humble and admit to their ignorance was a good sign. He did not need a zealot that immediately yelled ‘heretic’ or ‘demon’ whenever the unexpected cropped up.

There’s more to it than that. The Sergeant must have also suspected that Marc was also not human.

“Would you include me—(me in that category)?” Marc asked.

“Yes… Sir,” Murphy replied while tensing his jaw muscles.

He wanted a man of reason who was also cool under pressure. Marc needed someone trustworthy to look after his men and lead them to victory. There are things out there that I can’t explain, even after four centuries.

“I’m glad, Sergeant,” Marc began. “Let me ask you a question. What did you see that night?”

Those eyes opened wide and he blinked several times. Murphy must have expected Marc to fill in the blanks instead of a debrief. Even my presence is suspect.

“I don’t know, Sir,” Murphy began. “I don’t think they were men.”