Chapter 34
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Freja stood at the edge of the forest. The mist was fading as she looked out at the open grassy knoll in front of her.
It was almost like the two connecting areas were worlds apart and not just the few feet of difference that it was.
She turned to thank Jester as he was walking away and froze.
Her eyes widened. A white orb with a sinister face floated before her.
It made no sound … none at all. The white orb swayed back and forth in front of her.
Jester turned his head to look back at Freja and saw the glowing white orb only a foot away from the auburn-haired girl.
With his lightning vampire speed, he flashed in between her and the orb.
He held out his hand protectively as he faced off with it.
“What in the world …” He quickly reached into his belt and drew out a silver dagger. “What are you? You are not the shriek.”
To his surprise, the face on the orb responded to him, its transparent eyes pinning their gaze upon him. It sneered at the glowing dagger that was being held in front of it.
“What is it that you’re after? The shriek seeks those who fear death … what are you seeking?” Jester said to himself, not expecting an answer from the orb.
“Love.” An airy voice hissed from the orb as it swayed back and forth.
“Shit.” Jester set his jaw and held a steadfast gaze on the orb.
The dagger was only something that could ward off the entity.
It wouldn’t be able to kill it but could knock it unconscious.
Love was something both he and Freja couldn’t deny.
And this orb was not mindless. It was clever.
He could tell by the way it analyzed the situation.
“Freja, you need to run. I’ll hold it off.” Jester didn’t spare her a glance. He was focusing on the menacing energy in front of him.
Freja shook her head. “I can’t leave you like this.”
Jester chuckled. “Who is this girl speaking? The huntress I know wouldn’t have hesitated to sacrifice someone else.” His eyes twinkled with amusement as a warmth crept into his heart. She really was a different person. “It’s not like this thing will kill me.”
“You don’t know that. We don’t know anything about it. We can outrun it. Come with me.” Freja couldn’t possibly leave him there. She couldn’t live with that kind of regret on her hands.
The orb bounced around. The white light around it began to darken as it expanded. “No escape. No escape,” the airy voice hissed out.
Jester took a step backward as the energy flashed different colors, then changed into an airy black smoke.
The middle was a dark, solid color, while the outside was made up of black, smokey tails.
The eyes turned red and glowered over the two people in front of it as it bobbed from side to side, almost mocking them. Taunting them to run.
Suddenly, it darted forward. Jester turned and wrapped Freja in his arms protectively. Maybe, just maybe … he could at least shield her. The two of them squeezed their eyes shut as they braced for impact.
A scorching heat radiated near Jester’s back.
There was no impact, though. He opened his eyes and turned his head.
A white flame completely overtook the dark entity.
He and Freja looked to see a snow-colored dragon breathing out a white fire, the fire overtaking the darkness, the flame sizzling against their skin because of their proximity.
They both took another step back as they watched the darkness get incinerated.
“And you told me the forest was too dangerous for me.” Ciana scoffed and let her tail whip the ground, creating a tremor under their feet.
“Wow, Ciana, that was amazing. Your flame purified it. I guess there is more to the luck dragon than meets the eye. Perfect timing, by the way.” Freja gave the dragon a crooked smile as she sighed in relief.
“Glad you’re making useful friends.” Jester chuckled and put his dagger away.
That was a close call. One of the closest he’d ever had.
It had to be because of all the demons moving around.
Their excessive killing had created a new type of vengeful spirit, only this one felt different, and more powerful.
It was probably able to feed off the demon’s energy.
Freja then turned her attention to Jester. “Thank you for protecting me. You risked your life for me. Thank you.”
Jester gave her a soft smile. “No thanks necessary. You would have done the same for me.” He looked at the white dragon and then back to Freja. “You best get going before that pearl starts to really heat up.”
“Thank you for everything, Jester.” Freja took a few steps toward Ciana.
“Wait. Where are you living now? I want to come and visit you soon.” Jester wanted to meet her new mate and make sure everything turned out alright.
“I’m living in the Black Ice Pack territory. I’m their luna.” Freja smiled. “I want you to meet Hunter. He will want to meet the person who risked their life to protect mine. No matter what happens, I’m staying with him … so maybe I will see you again, then.”
Jester nodded his head. “You can count on it. Safe travels.” He watched them as they took off into the sky, and he continued to stand there, even after they flew out of sight.
Frowning slightly, he sighed and turned, slowly walking back into the forest. Freja would be going after the Briar Coven soon.
They were very powerful, and he worried she wouldn’t be able to escape them unscathed.
There would be losses. She’d just started to really live her life, and he hoped she would be able to get through this next rough patch.
Not just live through it, but get through it and continue to burn with her new light.
Hunter leaned on one knee, his shirtless back glistening with beads of sweat.
He was disciplining his body with intense training, doing everything he could to keep himself occupied.
It was nice having his parents and his uncle Grayson there, but he couldn’t enjoy it.
Not with all the uncertainty surrounding his mate.
He was worried about her and what sort of danger she could be facing.
He was also worried whether he would ever be able to look at his sweet Freja again.
Deep down, he was angry … angry at the Briar Coven for interfering in his happiness. He would be dealing with them soon. Not just dealing with them … he would wipe out all corruption in the coven. The mother of the coven was dead as far as he was concerned. Her life would not be spared.
He lifted his hand and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He squinted upward toward the sun as a few birds flew overhead. He listened to the sounds of his pack sparring among one another.
“Let’s see what this wolf of yours looks like now.” Asher said as he walked up to his son.
“Dad … you wanting to spar with me?” Hunter cocked his eyebrow at his father in disbelief.
“Sure. Why not?” Asher shrugged with a playful smile on his face.
“I don’t want to break your old man hip or anything. Plus, I’m afraid I’m much stronger than you now.” Hunter stood up and turned to face his dad.
“Then I guess it will be good practice for me, right?” Asher shifted into his wolf, Bo, and waited for Hunter to do the same.
Let’s give him a show, then. Blaze panted happily in Hunter’s head. He was excited to wrestle with his dad and for once have the upper hand.
Alright, Blaze, but remember to take it easy on him.
Chasen and Grayson walked up as Hunter shifted into his wolf. His wolf was larger than his father’s before, but now, being the King of the Werewolves, he was a wolf and a half bigger than him.
“Oh, look, we get front row seats.” Chasen smirked and elbowed Grayson.
“You forget that your father is the King of the Fairies. You’re looking at more power than you think.” Grayson smirked, looking at Chasen’s excited face. “This battle is far from one-sided. Watch and learn, little cub.”
The two wolves circled each other. Then, in a blur, they lunged for one another. Two wolves clashed with an earth-shattering impact. The current alpha and the old alpha collided against the other, and a test between a father and a son ensued.
Drip. Drop.
Drip. Drop.
Freja walked into the dark cave, taking a moment to let her eyes adjust. The pearl in her hand was singeing her. A set of dark glossy orbs were watching her and waiting.
“You’ve brought what I asked?”
Freja placed the black pearl into Kali’s hand. She then took a step back and watched as the dark priestess inspected it. “Perfect.”
“Okay. Your turn now. What can I do about the blood potion?” Freja pinned her green gaze on the pale figure in front of her.
“Patience. I will tell you what you need to know.” Kali walked over to her pot and poked her finger into the liquid, stirring it slowly.
“First, tell Ciana to go ahead with the rest of her task. She no longer needs to escort you around.” She lifted her head, tilting it slightly.
“I’m sure you can make it back without her, right? ”
Freja set her jaw and nodded. Sure, she could make it without Ciana, but that would take days instead of hours. She sighed loudly, showing her irritation as she walked out to tell Ciana to continue with whatever it was she had left to do. She then walked back inside.
“Alright. Pay attention, dhampir. I will give you the knowledge that you seek.” Kali smiled and gazed at Freja. It was now time for her to fulfill her end of the bargain.
Blaze slammed into the ground and laid on his side, foam spilling from his mouth.
He wasn’t expecting that. His father had hit him with a sensory blocking magic, something new that he hadn’t seen before.
It was enough that it gave his father the perfect chance to land a hard blow against him.
His front legs shook slightly as he tried to stand up.
He could see Bo was panting heavily also, both tired and hitting their limits.
But Blaze hadn’t unleashed all of his strength yet.
In fact, there was still a part of him that was sealed.
Some of his red energy felt like it was behind a floodgate, only some of it spilling out at a time.
If only he could release the floodgate, he was certain his werewolf powers would be at their fullest.
“That’s quite enough.” Lita walked between the two wolves, tapping her foot on the ground.
“Just look at the two of you. You’re both exhausted.
Nope, you’re both done.” She looked between them and noticed how neither of them made a move to shift back into their human forms. “I won’t say it again.
” Lita snarled lowly as she folded her arms.
“Eh, mom’s mad.” Chasen chuckled.
“Guess this match is over.” Grayson stretched his arms over his head.
“Yeah, but I think Hunter was going to win it.” Chasen winked at Grayson, who only shrugged.
“It’s hard to say. Hunter might have the strength, but your father has the experience. And experience goes a long way.” Grayson smiled as he watched the two wolves shift back to their human forms.
“Much better. Now, come on. We’re sitting down and having a family dinner together. We don’t get to see each other that much anymore, and I want to soak in this time with my boys.” Lita walked up to Asher and prodded his nose with her finger. “So go clean your sweaty self up.”
Asher chuckled. “I know what’s wrong here. You’re jealous because you got left out of the sparring match, aren’t you?” He reached out and pulled her into his chest. I’ll have a sparring match with you tonight. Winner gets top.
Lita giggled and shook her head. “You’re getting me all sweaty. Go get cleaned up! You too, Hunter.”
Hunter took in a deep breath and smiled.
He was doing his best to try to enjoy his parents’ company.
It was hard. His mind was constantly going back to Freja.
At least when he was training and sparring, he was able to focus on fighting.
As soon as it was over, his mind trailed right back to his mate.
He felt like he wasn’t whole. A piece of him was missing, and it was hard for him to focus on anything but the missing piece.
Hunter followed behind his parents, brother and uncle.
He looked up at their laughing faces and for once felt like a foreigner.
He didn’t belong in their happy reality.
He was there, but he wasn’t. He never thought he would ever feel like this, but he would rather lay in his room alone than join everyone else.
Pretending to act okay was draining. He clenched his fists in quiet misery. Freja … I miss you.