Chapter 12 #2
Archer came to a stop in front of me. When he raised his arms and his aura unwound from them, I flinched. Deep plumes of green stretched towards me like sinister rope, ready to bind me and extract my truth.
He dropped his voice to a whisper. “It’s only going to hurt if you fight me.”
I didn’t believe him. Archer would probably take the same pleasure as Hunter in seeing me suffer.
“Lift your arms,” Archer instructed.
When I didn’t move, Hunter stepped closer. “I suggest you do as he says.”
My gaze flitted between the pair before I slowly lifted my arms, the cuff sliding slightly down my forearm.
Archer gave a curt nod before lifting his hands and his aura finally reached me.
It wound around my arms and my sense of autonomy left me as Archer read me.
This was it. Archer would unearth all of my secrets and lies and convey them to Hunter.
There would be no coming back from that.
Dylan Thomas once wrote about not going gentle into the good night. If they uncovered my plans, I would fight until my last breath. Powers or not, I would make sure that I didn’t take my punishment laying down.
Images flashed through my mind, fresh and clear.
Walking through Hunter’s grounds and digging through the plants.
Carefully pushing aside sheets of paper in the drawers of the house.
Taking steady steps through the house and pushing open door after door.
Each of the recent memories was tinged red with anger and murderous intent.
As the memories changed to include Hunter and the violence he unleashed, they faded into a blue colour and shame and embarrassment took centre stage.
This was a secret I hadn’t intended to share because of the way it made me feel helpless. Powerless.
My vision cleared until Archer came into focus before me.
His face remained impassive. No shock or betrayal.
No concern or smugness. Archer wasn’t stupid.
When I asked for his help, he probably connected the dots.
Now he had confirmation of my treachery.
Hunter would have proof that justified his propaganda that demigods were dangerous and orchestrating the downfall of the rest of them.
“She’s confused,” he said, still looking me in the eye.
“What?”
“She’s confused. Part of the trauma response for mortals, I imagine.” Archer turned away from me, so I stared at the back of his head. “Their minds can’t handle the situations the same way we can. I imagine simply being in Elysia is something she is still adjusting to.”
I didn’t dare breathe. What was he doing? The memories were clear as day. There was no reading between the lines and even if there were, Archer could uncover it with his gift. Yet, there he was, lying to Hunter without a shred of hesitation.
“She was looking for something,” Hunter argued back. “I know it.”
“Her room,” Archer replied, sounding bored. “Tell me, Hunter, have you noticed any other strange behaviour from her? Forgetting things. Freezing. Barely holding her attention.”
I didn’t want to move, but I was desperate to know whether he was buying it. Unfortunately, Archer’s head blocked my view, but I heard a disgruntled sound from Hunter’s throat.
“Like you said, she’s still part mortal. She will continue to have her weaknesses.” He lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “We need to push on with our plans, Hunter. If you’re suspicious over every breath she takes, then you’ll mess this up before it begins.”
“I—”
“I’m telling you what I saw. It’s up to you if you choose to believe me. But we’ve been working towards a common goal for a long time and I’m not about to lose my chance at getting justice when it’s finally so close.”
The room was silent and all I could hear was the erratic thumping in my chest. I did well under pressure when I understood all the rules. Archer, as was typically his style, had gone completely rogue.
Hunter eventually spoke. “You can leave.”
Archer didn’t argue. He walked away from me, stopping briefly next to Hunter before saying, “That bruise on her face won’t do you any favours with the rest of Elysia.”
“Leave!”
Archer didn’t need to be told twice. His aura wrapped around him, and he disappeared from the house, leaving me with Hunter.
I would like to say that I wasn’t afraid, but that would be a blatant lie. Everything about Hunter chilled me to the bone, and just when I thought I had seen the depths of his monstrous personality, he managed to surprise me with something more intimidating.
My fists balled as he approached me, gazing at a spot on my cheek that had been throbbing since I picked myself up from the floor. I froze when he reached up, my body becoming stone. He tutted, letting his palm rest against the skin.
“You’ll need to work on your reaction to me, Quentin,” Hunter said as the warmth of his power ran through my face. I couldn’t find it in me to be grateful. I’d have rather sat with a bruise than owe him anything. “We’re a loving couple.”
“It would help if you didn’t throw me down the stairs because of your own paranoid delusions.”
He moved his hand swiftly so it caught my jaw in a painful grip. His plan seemed to be to heal one, give one. “You’ll have to forgive me for the misstep. But if you’d been privy to the bloodshed your kind caused, you’d be just as suspicious.”
When he let go of my jaw, I took a step back to get some space.
“Do you think you’ll make it to your room this time? Or has the morning taken a toll on you and your mind? I’d be happy to escort you.” Hunter asked with an air that said nothing was wrong. As if he really was a loving partner. It terrified me how easily he could switch his personality.
“I don’t think I’ll ever forget where it is again,” I muttered.