Chapter 47 Huntress
The feral animal let out a low, possessive growl as he engulfed her lips with his.
His hand slid up her side, cupping her breast over her shirt.
With a small groan, he was able to get a handle on himself because the kiss slowed down, becoming very gentle and warm.
He took his time tasting the entirety of her mouth and squeezing her body against his, tenderly kneading her smooth mound in his hand.
She let out a soft whimper, arching her chest into his hand, which only encouraged his beast and made it more difficult for him to stay in control.
He had to continue to fight against himself to keep the pace slow.
He pressed himself against her, his body a solid wall of heat and desire as he pushed her back onto the bed.
His lips moved hungrily against her mouth, his tongue dancing with hers in a sensual tango.
His hand continued to tease and knead her breast through the fabric of her clothes.
With nimble fingers, he pinched her hardened nipple, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her body.
She moaned into his mouth as he continued to suck on her tongue, a low growl rumbling in his chest like a primal call of possession.
“Mmm, Lee,” she panted as he left her lips, lifting her shirt to trail kisses up her stomach.
A loud, urgent knock sounded at the door. “Lee, zip those pants up and come on. The huntress is entering our territory.” Xander smirked at the door, knowing that Levi was going to be extremely frustrated.
Lee snarled against her stomach, pulling her shirt down and turning his head, looking at the door like it was an enemy.
“Huntress?” Reiya asked, adjusting herself and getting her breathing under control.
“Xander sent for a demon hunter immediately. I guess she’s here already.
” He stood and pulled her up beside him.
Softly, he pressed his lips against hers again, his eyes still full of want.
With a defeated sigh, he turned, leading her to the door.
When he opened it, his eyes narrowed on the smirking face in front of him.
“What? You wanted to meet her too, right?” Xander asked innocently. Brody and Chelsie were also at Xander's side, curious as to what was going on.
“You sent for a demon hunter … huntress?” Reiya looked at Xander, who beamed widely.
“Just some insurance. She’s the best, and extremely deadly. I thought you might feel better if I sent her to keep watch over the Black Ice Pack.” Xander watched Reiya’s eyes soften and a smile form on her lips.
“Is she someone that can be trusted? I don’t want someone dangerous going near our pack.” Brody, being the more logical one, was immediately suspicious.
“She’s very professional. If she’s paid to do a job, she will do it.
Her orders will be to alert the Black Ice Pack of incoming demons, to protect Hunter and Chasen above all others, and to kill Abaas on sight.
” Xander curled his lip in agitation when he said the half-demon’s name.
“Come on, we can talk on the way down.” Xander led the way as they all followed him down the stairs.
Chelsie had been very quiet. She seemed to be remembering something. “This huntress … you aren’t talking about Freja, are you?”
“You’ve heard of her?” Xander looked at Chelsie curiously.
“But she’s ... but she’s a dhampir!” Chelsie couldn’t hide the intimidation in her voice. Reiya had thought she wasn’t afraid of anything, until now.
“And a very special one at that,” Lee added quietly.
“Why is she so special?” Brody asked as he inconspicuously rested a hand on Chelsie’s back, rubbing small, comforting circles on it.
“Because the human blood that she’s mixed with wasn’t from a regular human.
Her mother was a witch who fell in love with a vampire.
That’s why she’s so special. And because demons killed her parents, she has an extreme bloodlust for them.
” Xander opened the door at the bottom of the stairs and waited in the hall for everyone to descend.
“She’s dangerous, which is why I insisted on being here when she arrived.” Lee kept a protective hand on Reiya as they walked to the main hall.
Reiya was taking in all the information. She felt sorry for Freja. She had lost her family, and everyone was afraid of her. In a way, it reminded her of her mother and how her pack had feared her just because she was different.
“The huntress has arrived!” a voice announced.
They stood in the great room and watched as a figure cloaked in black walked toward them.
The clacking of her black combat boots echoed in the hall, and she radiated authority with each step.
When she was a few feet away from them, she pulled the hooded cloak from her head and stared confidently in front of her.
Under the cloak were a pair of daggers she kept at her side.
Reiya’s first impression was that this girl was beautiful.
She had deep auburn-colored hair and intense green eyes.
Her skin was very light, but her lips were a beautiful shade of pink.
She looked to be the same age as Reiya and was about the same height.
Honestly, Reiya wasn’t afraid of her. Instead, she felt drawn to the girl, so much that before she even knew it, she had walked up to her.
Lee carefully watched the two girls, his gaze a combination of curiosity and apprehension.
He wanted to pull Reiya to his side, but they were now in a public area, and he didn’t know who might be watching them.
He could feel the tension from the others, and he was right there with them, unsure of how he felt about Reiya being this close to the huntress.
The huntress was well known for being cold and unfeeling.
She was known to smile as she watched the life drain from her opponent’s eyes.
The two girls stared at each other. Reiya tilted her head to the side a bit, unsure what she was feeling, but there was something more to this girl.
The girl lifted her hand out slightly and then looked at Reiya, waiting.
Reiya reached her hand out and touched the girl’s outstretched hand.
A warm light emanated from their hands and began to swirl around the two of them until it enveloped them in a barrier of light.
It was like they were in another dimension. Reiya glanced around at what looked like a solid bubble that had formed around them. She couldn’t see or hear anyone, just the girl in front of her. The huntress also looked around with wide-eyed interest. This was obviously something new for her as well.
“I’m Reiya.”
“Freja.” Her voice was light and sweet, not at all what Reiya was expecting.
“So, do you know what this is?” Reiya giggled and motioned at the bubble. Her other hand remained clasped with Freja’s.
Freja looked at the white bubble and back at Reiya.
She was connected to this girl somehow. There was something drawing them to each other.
This girl was warm and gentle, emitting a soothing aura.
She felt like … home. She was curious about her.
Why wasn’t this girl afraid of her, and what in the world was she?
Her senses were picking up all sorts of things.
“Are you not afraid of me?” Freja asked beneath hooded eyes as she waited for the expected answer.
“No, I’m not. Strangely enough, I feel like you’re important to me.”
Reiya’s answer shocked her. They were both feeling some odd connection. She wasn’t afraid of her. Everyone was afraid of her. Everyone.
“What are you?” She tilted her head as she tried to analyze her more.
“I am the fairy princess. I’m also part werewolf, but you probably can’t sense that because she won’t show her stubborn self.” Reiya rolled her eyes in annoyance.
“Let me see.” Freja took a hand and placed it on Reiya’s head.
Being part witch had always had its advantages.
Freja’s mother was from one of the top covens before she broke away from them.
She was actually next in line as their leader, but she threw everything away to be with the man she loved.
No one approved of them being together, but for their love, they risked it all.
Freja pushed aside the thoughts of her parents as she explored Reiya’s mind. There was a barrier inside her, and ironically, it felt like the same barrier that was now surrounding them. Her wolf was put in a moon bubble. She looked up at Reiya curiously.
“We’re in a moon bubble, and it looks like your wolf is in one, too.
For some reason, your wolf isn’t being allowed out.
What in the world is the goddess up to?” Freja reached out and poked at the barrier, feeling mildly annoyed.
She didn’t care much for the gods. It wasn’t like they cared about her either.
“She seems to have taken an unusual interest in my life lately.” Reiya frowned. “Why would she put us in one?”
“Why indeed. Whatever game she’s playing, there's a purpose behind it. A woman with her responsibilities doesn’t waste her time on pointless interference ... uuggh.” Freja winced and clutched her arm.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. It just hurts sometimes,” Freja said, rubbing her arm.
“What is it, if I may ask?” Reiya watched as Freja lowered her sleeve to show her a glowing red circle with a slash through it.
“It’s a curse from my mother’s old coven. I guess I’m an abomination that needs to be destroyed. This curse will eventually drain my life.” She shrugged. She’d had the mark for about two years now and had come to terms with it.
“That’s it!” Reiya said, punching her fist into her hand.
“What’s it?” Freja smiled at the girl in front of her. She was like no one she’d ever met before. There was a sweetness about her, and Freja couldn’t help but like her.
“The reason for the bubble is because she doesn’t want anyone to intervene, so I can get rid of the curse!” Reiya said with excited eyes.
Freja shook her head and held up a hand. “No, no, no. You can’t. Not this curse. It’s too powerful and has the potential to kill you instead. I’ve tried to remove it. There’s no use.”
Reiya looked confidently at Freja. “I can remove it. It’ll be hard, but I removed a curse similar to this just recently. It was also cast by a powerful witch. I’m not afraid, Freja. This is what I’m supposed to do. I know it.”
“This is your life we’re talking about.” Freja dropped the last of her tough guard. This girl was too sweet. She couldn’t allow her to risk her life for nothing … for someone like her.
“And this is your life we’re talking about, Freja. Don’t you feel it? We’re connected. I’m supposed to do this.”
Freja admitted that it made sense. Otherwise, why would the Moon Goddess put them in a moon bubble?
It was so Reiya could concentrate, giving her the highest chance of success.
Plus, there was a power emanating from the bubble.
This power could help Reiya. Still … it just seemed like so much to ask of a total stranger.
She looked into the blue depths of determination in front of her.
Why did she feel so protective over this girl?
Freja nodded her head and sighed. “Okay, Reiya, I understand. It’s just … please, be careful.” Why am I being like this? I’m acting like I care more about this girl than myself. She looked at the girl in front of her. She couldn’t help it. Something made her feel attached to her.
Reiya smiled. This girl wasn’t scary. Sure, she was probably an amazing and deadly fighter, but that didn’t make her scary. Brody could be deadly too, and she didn’t fear him. Just another case of people being afraid of what they didn’t know.
“You already understand how curses work, so you know how things will get. Just try to relax, and don’t worry.” Reiya was talking about the excruciating pain that was sure to follow. She watched Freja’s worry-filled eyes and small nod.
With a deep breath, she decided she would go for it.
She had to try. She knew everyone else would be livid, especially Lee, but she couldn’t ignore this girl.
And she wasn’t supposed to ignore her. This was the reason they were bubbled together.
She knew it. If the Moon Goddess believed in her, then she would believe in herself. She already did believe in herself.
Okay, Reiya. Let’s do this.