Chapter 50
CHAPTER FIFTY
Hunter walked to the edge of the field, rubbed Freja’s hand, and then let it go.
He gave her a small smile, then walked out to the middle of the field with Chasen as Jin stepped up beside her.
The two men were going to say goodbye to their brother.
This was the best they could do until a proper memorial was done.
The wind swayed the golden weeds as they stood in the center of the field. The blue sky was crystal clear and seemed to pool over them. Chasen and Hunter stood there, not saying anything. Saying goodbye was going to be extremely difficult.
“Chase …” Hunter looked at his brother as a hum hit his head. He could see that Chasen was hearing it, too. He closed his eyes and listened. Someone was calling to him, with a voice and a song he knew by heart.
Chasen closed his eyes and opened his heart as his sister's voice rose, their mother's joining in to call the energies within each of them.
He could feel his own power swirling madly, as if answering the song.
Beside him, Hunter linked with them as well, a deep-rooted connection binding all four together.
Reiya was asking their mother for something—a power she had gifted long ago.
Chasen listened quietly, humming along to the song of remembrance, one hand resting over his chest where that ancient energy stirred in answer to the princess.
The sun shone bright and warm on the two men as the melody rang clear and true.
The sunlight twirls and dances bright
Hidden in leaves before they take flight
In every corner of the earth's embrace
You're swaying, hearing my melody's grace
The flowers bloom, each petal for you
The song pulls us near, a bond so true
Our hearts almost beating as one
Singing together, though miles are spun
Voices are calling from lands afar
Laughter and singing, like a guiding star
Echoing whispers on the breeze
A symphony of harmony in the trees
A voice from afar beckons my way
Guiding me onward, day by day
It smiles, it sings, a gentle call
Your voice in the wind, a sweet enthrall
In joy and sorrow, we reach across
Bridging the distance, no love is lost
Hand in hand beneath the sun
Together, our journey has just begun
Can you hear the song I weave?
Drawing us closer, helping believe
Now the moment has come at last
Awakening the magic binding our past.
A rush of wind swirled around the two men as a cascade of energy pounded into them.
A familiar orange glow reappeared inside each of their chests, and they both fell to their knees as they felt the strong connection inside them.
It was Brody. He was back. The energy flickered through Brody’s life in their minds like a movie projector, showing memories of their childhood together.
The swirling soon stopped, the wind and energy resting around them.
Everything was quiet except for the sounds of their mates running up to them.
Warm tears trickled down Hunter’s face and he opened his eyes, looking over at Chasen, who was crying as well.
“I don’t know how she did it.” Chasen gripped his chest as he looked up at the sun. “I can’t wait to hug him and punch him for scaring the shit out of me.”
“What’s going on?” Jin asked as she squatted in front of Chasen. Freja laid her hands on Hunter’s shoulders as she stood in front of him.
“Brody’s light is back. He’s alive. I don’t know what happened, but his light is back.” Hunter fisted his hand over his chest and sighed in relief.
Freja wrapped her arms around Hunter. “Thank goodness,” she whispered.
“I’m sure we’ll be getting some sort of message from either mom or Reiya. Regardless, I want to meet up with Reiya and Brody soon. We’re long overdue for a visit. I don’t know what happened. They may need some time to get situated …” Hunter looked over at Chasen, who wiped his eyes.
“Send them a message. Ask them to come at their earliest convenience.” Chasen looked at Jin and smiled.
He wanted to introduce them to his mate, and he knew Hunter wanted to do the same.
Things had changed so much since they last saw one another.
And almost losing Brody … thinking they did lose Brody—he wanted to see them all the more.
Hunter and Chasen stood to their feet, both in much better spirits now. The weight on their chests immediately vanished when they felt Brody’s light. There was probably an interesting story attached to how his light had returned.
“Well, now I feel like I can be happy about Abaas’ death.
Sick bastard will no longer be plaguing our family,” Hunter said with a smile.
He wrapped his arm around Freja and looked back toward pack territory.
A dark shadow passed overhead, and he glanced up to see a white dragon lowering down to them.
A man jumped off the back of the dragon.
He met with the amber eyes of the man, who looked over him, then Freja, where his gaze stayed.
The dragon shifted into a beautiful girl with black hair and caramel skin.
“Ciana!” Jin said in excitement. “You’re back.” She felt Chasen’s strong hand on her shoulder as he looked over the foreign guy.
“Yeah, I’m finally here to stay, for at least a little while.” Ciana smiled and walked over to Jin. “I ended up seeing Jester on his way here, so I gave him a lift.”
“It looks like you were able to break the blood potion.” Jester smiled at Freja, then shifted his gaze to the man next to her.
Hunter was also sizing this man up. He could see the tender way he looked at Freja, his amber eyes almost melting when he saw her.
His complexion was as pale as moonlight, with a cascade of blonde hair that shimmered like golden silk under the sun.
Standing tall and slender, his frame was elegant and lean, exuding a quiet strength.
His body was toned, sculpted with lean muscles that hinted at athleticism without the bulk of a bodybuilder.
Hunter figured some ladies might find his unique appearance alluring.
But what was he doing? This guy wasn’t his rival.
Freja was already marked. Hunter cleared his throat and extended his hand to the man.
“My name is Hunter. Nice to meet you, Jester. Freja has told me about you.” He shook the man’s hand firmly with a kind smile.
This man had helped them. He had protected his mate.
“So, you’re the one who stole Freja from me.” Jester chuckled. “Just joking. She was never mine.” He then looked at Freja. “I know I told you I planned to come and visit. But I’m actually here for another reason.”
Freja could see something in Jester’s eyes—something that worried her. “What is it?”
“Did you guys take care of things with the witches?”
Freja nodded. “For the most part. The coven leader has been taken out. There might be a loose end or two left. We haven’t had time to polish that up yet. Jester, you know I hate the games. Out with it.” Freja sighed and lifted her brows at him in irritation.
Jester chuckled. “Some things never change. I just didn’t want to overwhelm you right now.
That’s why I was asking about the witches.
The thing is, there is something else that needs to be dealt with.
” He looked at Hunter. “The demons are trying to sway the vampires to their side. They’ve been meeting with their king and queen.
As you know, traditionally, we vampires are not on any side but our own.
Similar to how dragons are, just not as powerful.
But we are still a strong ally to have. They would also be a tough opponent to go against.”
Freja rubbed her head. “Out with it, Jester. I know you’re telling me this for a reason. Quit the fancy footwork already.”
“You’re also a vampire. A powerful tribrid. Needless to say, I think showing our support for balance would weigh heavy on their minds. I want you to come with me. We need to speak with the King and Queen of the Vampires.”
Freja nodded her head and sighed. She understood what he wanted now. “They’re purebloods, though. I’m considered the mutt, the lowlife in their world.” Freja felt Hunter’s hand grip hers tighter. He didn’t like how she spoke about herself.
“They can’t deny your strength, Freja. A dhampir that is part witch and now also part werewolf.
Not just part werewolf, but the Queen of the Werewolves.
The Luna of Lunas. Forming an alliance with you is something I don’t think they would shy away from.
More importantly, they wouldn’t want to make enemies with the Alpha King and Luna Queen.
” Jester watched the stormy eyes in front of him.
He could see Hunter mulling over the idea in his head.
Hunter didn’t like the idea of going into danger again. However, this was on an even larger scale. This was about the demon war. And the vampires could tip the scale in the direction of whatever side they chose. He tilted his head and looked at Freja. “What are you thinking?”
Freja sighed and looked up at Hunter. “What he’s saying makes sense. As much as I loathe the idea of meeting with those royal snobs, I also don’t want them banding together with the demons.”
Chasen chuckled darkly and rubbed his forehead. “So how dangerous is this going to be? I assume that going into a vampire’s nest is a dangerous task.”
Jester nodded his head. “I don’t know, honestly. It just depends if they have struck a deal with the demons yet or not. The King and Queen are not stupid. They’re wise. They’ve lived a long time.”
“And as the king's brother, you’ve also lived a long time.” Freja smirked and tilted her head, looking at Jester.
His eyes widened, and he pointed at her. “You knew?!”
“Umm … yeah. I make it my business to know who I’m speaking to.
The brother who got tired of living the same life, so he went to live one away from the royal hive.
Said to be one of their strongest warriors but had a malicious nature.
However, he loved his brother dearly.” Freja met with his amber eyes.
“He loved his brother so much that he turned himself into the bad guy in order to protect the king's image. Which is actually the REAL reason you left. You didn’t want to taint your brother's image by having you by his side.”
Jester smiled and nodded slowly. “I guess I underestimated you.”
“Having Jester with us will at least allow us to approach the king and queen.” Freja looked at Hunter then to see his reaction.
“I guess I should see if Sam can hold down the fort a little longer. Looks like we’re playing diplomats.
” Hunter sighed. Never a dull moment in his life.
One day, he hoped he could have some quiet time and enjoy having a mate.
Though all that would have to wait until after they dealt with the demons.
And this was just one more step in that direction.
“So, we’re going to meet vampires?” Ciana said, inviting herself along.
Jester turned and looked at her. “It might be dangerous.”
“And how would that change what I’ve been doing?” Ciana laughed. “Besides, if Jin is going, then I’m going. I’m staying with Jin.”
“Jin is staying here,” Chasen said, matter of factly.
“Oh … so you’re staying here then?” Jin arched her brow as she looked at Chasen.
“Give it up, Chasen. It’s a lost cause.” Hunter smiled and shook his head.
This was what they did. They flirted with death.
This was the destiny he had been given. They had a duty to do as much as they could for the demon war.
Even if it was just to prevent the vampires from joining the demons … that would be enough for him.
Chasen groaned. “How long of a journey is it?”
Jester chuckled. “I guess it isn’t just going to be just the two of you then?
” He sized Chasen up, looking him over. He could feel a strong aura coming off him.
In fact, he had encountered similar auras before during his lifetime.
He smiled. “Having you around would probably be pretty handy. It isn’t every day you run into a guardian. They are a rarity in this world.”
Chasen forced air out of his nose and crossed his arms. “I go wherever Hunter and Freja go. So if they’re going to walk into the lion's den, then I’m going in with them.”
“Yep, same with me,” Jin chirped happily.
“Walking in isn’t going to be a problem.” Jester turned his gaze back to Freja and Hunter. “But it might not be smooth leaving. I’m going to talk some sense into my brother. And I’m hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.”
“Do you and your brother not get along now?” Hunter asked.
“Eh, I wouldn’t say that. He was upset that I decided to leave, but we’ve always had a good relationship.”
“Does he know … the reason you really left?” Freja asked in a whisper.
Jester shrugged. “You seem certain that you know the reason I left.”
Freja tilted her head and raised her brows at him. She folded her arms and cleared her throat as she looked at him expectantly.
“Whatever, it doesn’t matter.” Jester looked away and into the distance. “If he wanted me back, all he had to do was send for me. So he knew it was better like this.”
Freja stiffened and bit her bottom lip. She looked at Hunter.
Jester was right. If the King of the Vampires had wanted him to come back, he would have summoned him.
It didn’t matter if his brother knew or not, though he most likely did.
The fact remained that he never did reach out to Jester.
She could hear the pain in his voice over never being sent for.
Maybe he was testing to see if his brother wanted him around, and it only proved what he was already feeling. That he was a burden to his brother.
She let out a breath of air. “You shouldn’t assume that you know what’s transpired while you’ve been gone. Maybe there are other reasons? Maybe your brother was actually protecting you this way.”
Jester smiled and looked at Freja. “Look at the cold-hearted huntress, trying to cheer her friend up. First, you wouldn’t let me sacrifice myself for you, and now you’re trying to make me feel better.
” He looked at Hunter. “Love has changed you dramatically … In either case, I’ll be seeing him again soon. ”