“Gods do not exist,” Silky said.

“Goddess… the tits are a dead giveaway on the correct term to use. You know, for someone who claims to know corpses, you have a narrow mind.”

That was a line Clara used on Julia when the werewolf insisted that ghosts did not exist.

“She’s lying,” Silky said by turning around to face the leader.

This allowed Clara to further finalise her plan. All I need is a sign.

“Her greatest feat?” Julia teased.

“What was her greatest feat?” Adam asked, that tone hinting that he was nearing the end of humouring her.

“Her heart stopped for a fortnight, and three days after she  walked once more amongst us.”

That was her cue to get ready.

“Like…”

“Why would such… a powerful… woman need to use such… colourful language?” Adam said.

A high-class insult like that was sure to land flat with Julia. The werewolf knew perfectly well this was an attempt to slander her intellect and persona, but Julia had been tempered by werewolves. It would be easier to make a sailor blush.

“You might want to dial up your insults,” Julia said. “I’ve heard worse in grade school… As for your question. I‘m—was her chronicler.”

“Chronicler?” Adam asked.

“Do you have any idea how much of an ego a hunter elevated by GOD himself has?” Julia said. “Day in and day out another miracle. Even the corpses knew to avoid the sewers whenever she took a shit.”

“The same goes for the Sabertooth Tigers, but I had thirds tonight…”

The angel wanted very much to burst out laughing at Julia’s slip of the tongue. Clara realised that Julia was fucking with them, feeding them just enough truth to keep them from seeing the omissions.

“That animal was sacred!” Silky exclaimed.

“And fucking delicious,” Julia said to further taunt them.Their exchange was having an effect and most of the hunters had lowered their crossbows. They were paying attention to the discourse, their eyes off the feathered lump on the ground. Smart girl!

“You mean who?” Julia countered.

“Apologies,” Adam said. “Does… she have a name?”

“Did you mean?” Julia said as a jab. “Clara Grey.”

It was as though the group collectively held their breath, but everyone had recovered by the third heartbeat. Clara imagined that Julia was smiling, as her heart rate hovered near the resting point.

“Should that name have meaning to us?” Adam asked. He’s hiding something.

“You’ve never heard of the Valkyrie? The infamous fallen angel, vampire fu(cker)—hunter, slayer of werewolves, ghouls and gods?”

“Angels don’t exist,” Adam said flatly.

“The same goes for the Sabertooth Tigers, but I had thirds tonight…”

“Fuck… You fucking got me,” Julia said, but before anyone could react. “I’m more of a fan of Proverbs 17:28. Even a fucking fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he doesn’t come across as an idiot.”

There came howls of laughter, and Silky stepped out of formation. Julia did the same, which left Clara curious as to who would win.

The presumed leader cleared his throat and Silky stopped cold.

“Ever heard of a vampire or ghoul who can quote scripture?” the leader asked.

Clara imagined Evelyn quoting the bible word for word while shoving the good book up their asses. Vampires were once human, and many were well read to avoid silly tests such as these. There are rumours that some had been Cardinals or even a Pope.