Chapter 84
CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR
Reiya gripped Hunter tighter as the darkness lunged for them, cutting right through their purple energy.
Of course. What were they expecting? Hunter had sparred against Leviathan with two guardians and a dragon king.
They didn’t even have a chance. So what could they do now?
How could they even stand a chance against this darkness?
Slayer was upon them, and his darkness came down onto them violently.
The energy surrounding Hunter and Reiya suddenly became infused with another shade of blue, the combination becoming indigo as it lashed out at Slayer viciously.
Its body went flying backward, stopping and hesitating after that.
The indigo energy leaped after him, lashing over its darkness.
Hunter felt a new energy form inside him.
A light similar to his sister’s began to swirl around, similar to how all of his family’s energies existed, only it was stronger and brighter.
When the indigo light sprung out toward Slayer again, it began to retreat, deciding this was not the easy prey it thought it had found.
Hunter peered into the darkness as he felt the sinister energy slip farther away from them. Reiya then fell forward, slipping from his grip, and he caught her right before she fell.
“Reiya, what have you done?” Hunter lifted her up into his chest. “Are you … Are you …?”
Reiya smiled weakly. “I guess this necklace doesn’t work as well when she decides to use all the energy up in one go.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “You’re going to be an uncle times three.”
His silver eyes looked down at her with a mixture of emotions: happiness, concern, and anger. “Did you know? You knew, didn’t you? And you fought anyway.”
Reiya gave him a sheepish smile. “I had to.”
“Dammit, Reiya. You’re going to be in so much trouble when Levi finds out,” Hunter growled.
“Oh no I won’t. He owes me. He unlinked our bond without telling me.” Reiya smiled as she bit her bottom lip.
“I can’t believe you would do something like this without telling your mate,” Hunter scolded.
Reiya smiled softly at him. If he only knew his mate had done the same. She had a feeling that once they made it back safely, neither of the men would be upset. But they had to make it back to them first.
“I’ve never heard of something like this before.
I think your unborn daughter just saved our lives.
” Hunter couldn’t believe the strength that came from the baby growing inside Reiya.
Of course, since Reiya was the fairy princess, she was guaranteed to have a daughter first. It was how it always was with fairies.
Except for his mother, who gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. “How are you feeling?”
“Well I had an amulet that stored energy from Lee in it, but that was all sucked away. I guess this little girl is going to be incredibly strong. I can’t believe I feel this depleted already.
” Reiya’s arms felt heavy and her feet felt heavy as extreme fatigue blanketed her. At least the pain hadn’t started yet.
“We need to find this Endymion and get out of here before Slayer decides to come back again. I think we took him by surprise this time, but he will be better prepared next time.” Hunter hoisted Reiya higher up in his arms. He was incredibly worried now, knowing she was pregnant.
“What if we can’t make it out of here?” He shook his head as he started walking toward where the energy was pulling them.
“Well, actually … umm, that Ken … the reason he can help us find our way back is because he’s linked to my daughter, as her mate,” Reiya whispered.
“Wait … what?! Well, what about you? What about me? Are we linked to our mates the same way?”
“No. I don’t feel myself being pulled toward Lee.
I can feel her energy pulling toward Ken now, but I don’t understand why.
Maybe it’s because she’s a demigod and he’s a deity?
” Reiya wasn’t sure what the reason was, but one thing was certain.
The connection was already strong between them.
She wondered what Lee would think about all this.
Hunter shook his head in disbelief. “So we’re all having kids.
And Chasen’s daughter is spoken for, your daughter is spoken for, and if I have a daughter, she will be spoken for as well.
Brody’s baby is the only one not matched up yet.
” He let out a dry chuckle. He had to laugh. This wasn’t just coincidence, right?
“And they’re all powerful mates,” Reiya said as she mulled it over. “I hope there isn’t another war coming that they’re preparing for.”
“Please, no. I think our family has been the chosen ones long enough. I want a vacation.” Hunter laughed and grinned down at Reiya.
“As the Werewolf King, I don’t think you have the privilege of taking breaks.” She giggled up at him.
“Reiya.” Hunter peered ahead at a small glow in the distance. A light was pulsating in rhythm with their own, and moving closer to them.
Reiya felt a calmness from it, and she could feel Hunter relax as well. It had to be Endymion. They had already encountered Slayer, and there was no other presence in the black hole but Endymion.
As they got closer, they saw a tall, lean, toned man walking up to them. He had a tired smile on his face.
“I guess Selene finally managed to get you here to me. I’m Endymion.” His voice was kind and gentle. He looked at Reiya and frowned. “Are you alright?”
“We had a small encounter with your Slayer. She’s okay, just tired,” Hunter said as he studied the man in front of him.
“Of course she is. She’s carrying a powerful demigod in her womb. You both are very lucky for the unborn warrior.” Endymion stepped closer and looked at Reiya. “May I?” he asked as he lifted a hand to her stomach.
Reiya nodded, surprised at how comfortable she felt around him. Hunter was, too. Normally, in this situation, no one would be touching his sister.
Endymion gently laid his hand on Reiya’s stomach as Hunter held her in his arms. He smiled. “She is very powerful. Almost terrifyingly so.” His brows furrowed slightly as he studied the energy.
“What is wrong?” Reiya asked, feeling concerned.
“Nothing is wrong. But for not being very far along …” Endymion pulled his hand away, letting it rest at his side again.
“Her existence will be very interesting. This power she has will put a great deal of stress on your body, I’m afraid.
It already is. That little trinket you have won’t work much longer.
She’s going to be a big energy drainer.” He lifted his eyes to hers with a small frown.
“Look at you, pretending you aren’t in pain when you obviously are. ”
Hunter glanced down at Reiya and could see the strained look in her eyes. Endymion was right. Reiya was in pain. When did that happen? She seemed fine a moment ago.
“It’s okay,” Reiya said, her voice strained. She looked up at Hunter and saw his concerned face. “Hunter, I’m fine.”
“We need to get you back,” Hunter said, looking up at Endymion.
Endymion shook his head. “We do, but I need to let you know …” He looked back at Reiya sadly.
“This is going to hurt. You’ll be in excruciating pain once we arrive.
I’m so sorry for this. You’re lucky and unlucky you’re pregnant.
But without that little blessing, you wouldn’t have made it past Slayer. ”
Reiya smiled and touched her stomach. “I’ll be okay. What’s a little pain, right?”
“Let me take her,” Endymion said. He smiled as he watched Hunter tighten his grip on Reiya protectively. “I can see you’re tired as well. Let me help.”
Yes, Hunter was tired. They’d just finished fighting a grueling demon war. While his wolf had physically healed his body, he was tired. He looked down at Reiya, hesitant. She was his sister, and this man was still a stranger.
“It’s okay, Hunter.” Reiya smiled gently. “He’s a good person.”
Hunter sighed and finally nodded his head. Endymion lifted Reiya from Hunter and pulled her into his chest. And even through her pain, she felt a very pure, warm light comfort her. The light to the demon’s dark.
“Slayer is a demon, right? And it was a part of you. So what does that all mean?” Hunter had been thinking about this ever since they encountered Slayer.
“Slayer was a part of me. A dark existence that I cast out, giving it its own life.” Endymion smiled.
“What you’re thinking is correct. My light is the same as your light, only stronger.
In a way, fairies and demons are similar.
They both originated from me. If the Moon Goddess is the mother of all werewolves, then I am the father of both fairies and demons. ”
“So are you like the fairy deity?” Hunter asked.
“I'm an earth deity. Both its light and its dark.” Endymion glanced around the darkness. “And I’m ready to get out of this dark place.”
Hunter nodded and interlaced his fingers with Reiya. She was their link. They needed to be connected to her to get out of the hole.
“Feel your connection to Xander, Reiya. Feel your daughter’s connection to Ken and let it guide you. Feel the energy pooling inside you, trying to escape through a funnel, and follow it.” Endymion watched as Reiya closed her eyes.
Reiya could feel the perspiration on her forehead as the pain began to intensify.
She was using her precious energy that her daughter was absorbing rapidly.
It was hard to focus through the pain. Even with Endymion’s calming energy, she could feel the pain taking over her body.
She felt her brother grip her hand supportively as his other hand came up to wipe her forehead.
This part was all on her. She wouldn’t let them down.
She needed to concentrate. In the darkness of her mind, she could feel the pull, and with it, the desire to follow the connecting energy.
“Rowan and his mate went back to let Chelsie know the outcome of the fight. Plus, they wanted to check on their daughter and how she’s doing with her pregnancy.
Jin will know you’re alright as well,” Brody said as he walked beside Chasen.
They were all staying close, waiting for Reiya and Hunter to return.
Most of the armies were already making their way back.
Jester and Irene bid Freja farewell and gave her their best wishes before they led the vampire army away.
The only ones remaining were their closely knit group.
Sam, Adam, Winston, Garrett, Caspian, Caden, and Grayson were all sitting on the ground near Asher and Lita.
The dragon kings and their mates remained as well, though they sent their armies back, all waiting for Reiya and Hunter to return.
Levi was pacing back and forth, restless and anxious. Every moment, every second was agony. He just wanted to hold his fairy again. He felt someone walk up beside him, and he turned to see Freja.
“They’re coming back.” Freja smiled, nodding up at him.
“I know. I know they are. I just hate not being able to go to her,” Levi said with a small smile.
“It’s torture.” Freja chuckled and looked up at the sky.
Xander walked up next to Levi and placed his hand on his shoulder.
“How are things with Jade?” Levi asked quietly.
“Things are good. She’s with Weston now. I’m going to have to share her attention with him for now, but I’m happy I’ll have a chance to get to know her.” Xander furrowed his brows and stared into the distance.
“What is it?” Freja asked as Levi turned to face him as well.
Ken suddenly appeared in front of them and walked up to Xander. “They’re calling. Send out more energy to help guide them.”
“How do you know—” Levi started.
“Do it NOW!” Ken growled, shutting Levi up as he stared at Xander. Their auras filled the area, grabbing the attention of everyone nearby. Selene also manifested herself in front of them again and stared at a spot in front of them.
“They’re almost here. They’re doing it.” Selene’s voice was quiet as she waited in excitement.
She was going to finally see Endymion, after all this time.
She wished Kali could be here, but she couldn’t leave until Endymion’s feet touched the earth again.
Once they did, she would be able to leave her cave of darkness.
She had kept the black hole from drifting, but in order to do that, she had to seal herself inside the cave.
She’d even sacrificed her eye color as she bound herself to the darkness. She would finally be free again, too.