CHAPTER 8
KADE
Two Hundred Years Ago — Goreon Kingdom
IDOUBLE OVER, beer sloshing onto stone as agony rips through me from Sam’s magic.
He’s in pain. Lots of it.
And as quickly as his magic called to mine, it disappears, the connection slamming shut between us.
Riot’s wide eyes scan me as I straighten, Hunters around us silent and staring.
“What the fuck was that?” Riot whispers.
I catch my breath, my adrenaline subsiding in the wake of unexpected pain. “Sam.”
“He’s alive?” Riot asks, and I nod.
We were pretty sure of that already. I would’ve felt the loss of his life the way I did Lou.
But now we know.
And now I know a few other things, too.
Sam is in Goreon Castle.
“I think he’s being tortured,” I say. Hunters from East and North glance around the room in confusion.
The cavern rattles, and moments later, Ned, station leader of West, barrels into the fortress with his men.
“Just in time, Leader Ned,” I call. “Sorry for the abrupt announcement, but we need to get moving on a plan.”
Ned eyes me, frost clinging to his beard. “Captain Kade, what’s going on?”
Hunters drop heavy satchels of gear around the massive room, filling us to capacity as they flop onto sofas and pull out dining chairs to stuff their mouths from the laden table.
Everyone is here now, and the last time all Hunters assembled, the Great Divide War was won, and Goreon lost the south, forging the Night Kingdom territories from the blood of my ancestors. I feel privileged to be the one to lead us once again.
I post at the head of the table, the fire in the massive stone alcove roaring behind me, spitting and crackling like the blood in my veins.
An energy courses through me, and my magic plumes to a bright glow.
Power I’ve never felt floods me like the gods are preparing me for war and the responsibility of shepherding my men to the other side of it.
Sensing this within themselves, Hunters still, their focus shifting to me, and all is quiet.
“Hunter Lou has been killed in an attack by the king’s soldiers,” I announce. Murmurs race around the stone room as mugs crash onto the tabletop. “And one of our own has been captured.”
The murmurs turn into roars of outrage, and I give them a moment with their anger before lifting a hand to silence them. “Hunter Sam, the son of our Master, is being held in Goreon Castle.”
“Fuck,” Riot spits, and my gaze catches on Grace, leaning in the doorway of the library tunnel.
I refocus on the long table filled with Hunters and then around the room at the full loungers.
“We have a Hunter to rescue and a king to kill who should have been dead a long time ago.”
Deafening shouts and the rhythmic thumping of boots and pounding fists echo in support.
“You were born for this. You’ve trained for this. Are you ready to answer the call of the Hunter?”
The thunder of warriors rattles glassware and threatens to shake the tears from Grace’s eyes, her soft smile aimed right at me. Her pride reaches in and grabs me in a way no one’s opinion of me ever could.
“Enjoy your meal, and drink all the ale. Station leaders, please join me in the library to discuss our battle plan.”
The entire room stands in salute as I exit.
“Gods, I’m lucky,” Grace whispers, her hand running up my shoulder blade when I reach her side.
I look down at her. “Because you landed the most handsome of the Hunters?”
She rolls her eyes. “Because I get to stand with you and change our world. Even though I hate that Sam is part of the reason for it.”
I drape an arm over her while we walk. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to apologize for. We were all there; no one saw it happen. All we can do is fix this.” She leans into me. “And, Kade—”
I gaze lovingly at my wife, endlessly thankful for her understanding and support.
“You are the most handsome of the Hunters.”
I scoop her into my arms with a kiss threatening to unleash us into a frenzy of heady need.
There’s always been something about Grace. I’ve never been able to resist her.
The call of the Hunter is one thing, but the summoning to protect this woman, to make her mine, to give her my life and my love with everything I do has made me whole.
Our world demands balance. Grace is my balance.
Just like the oceans don’t break without a shore to wash upon, and the skies don’t end without the land they touch—I don’t exist without Gracie to ground me.
She wraps her slender arms around my neck and kisses me fiercely. Fingertips bite into my skin, letting me know she wants me just as badly as I need to throw her against this wall and lose myself in her. I rip my mouth from hers, searching those green eyes I never tire of drowning in.
“I’m the lucky one, my love,” I tell her, and she kisses me again, pressing her full lips into mine before we’re interrupted by station leaders entering the library.
Grace slides down my body to her feet as Master Hull emerges from the back alcoves of the library and plants himself in his usual leather chair nearest the fire, encased in his favorite fur. The chill in this underground fortress is unforgiving.
This massive library was designed to educate and preserve Hunter heritage.
The treasured volumes range from fighting skill and our history to vampire knowledge since the dawn of their existence.
My own journals from the past decade line one of these shelves, alongside those of the captains before me.
Hull’s sad eyes meet mine, but he offers me a nod, his anger dissipated, and a Master looks back at me, ready to hear the plan.
Station leaders settle into armchairs, and I stand with my back to the fire to address them.
“So, Captain Kade—what are your orders?” Longton of North asks, wasting no time. He’s always been business before pleasure.
I’ve thought about an attack plan since I began training in these caverns, working toward a moment like this my entire service.
“We infiltrate the castle during the full moon. Half will be knocked out on sedative serum, and the others will be dreamwalking their humanity and losing their minds.”
And not a single human will be on guard the following day, staying well the fuck away from the chaos of the monthly dreamwalking.
Riot grins at me, and Ned of West leans back in his seat, eyes skirting to Grace briefly before speaking.
Ned grunts, his auburn hair gleaming in the firelight, and drapes his burly arms over the sides of his chair. “It’ll be dangerous with their feral state and unpredictability, but I agree. Best shot we’ve got of gaining access. No one will be standing guard, day or night.”
Exactly.
I nod. “We get in during the chaos of the night and attack. They’ll be exhausted by sunrise, and if we aren’t done with them yet, they’ll have to fight through the day without slumber.”
Uncle Brachett twirls a blade between his fingertips, his tongue tracing the hole no longer housing a canine. “The full moon is two days away. That’s not much time to prepare.”
I chuck a few logs on the fire. “I don’t think Sam has much more time than that.”
I ease into the chair beside Master Hull, and Grace perches on the arm of my lounger. “We let the men rest for the night and then filter into the safehouses in Southend and the city tomorrow. I’ll take my outfit to estimate current numbers inside the stronghold and determine our best entry point.”
Riot chimes in, peering apprehensively at me. “Your father always said the best entry is the waste dump access through the dungeon.”
“I won’t trust old information,” I grit out.
Although he’s probably still correct.
Riot throws his hands up in silent defense.
I address Ned, Longton, and Brachett. “Take whatever you require from the fortress to aid you. I’ll send one of my men with each group to our ten houses. Please split your men as you wish.”
Ned shakes his head. “This is insane, Kade. We’re at half strength, we’re tired—”
“What if it was your boy?” Master Hull snarls at Ned.
Ned’s jaw ticks as they stare at one another. “I’d make the same foolish choice.”
“Aye,” Master spits, sinking back into his chair.
“And what about you?” Ned asks, turning to Grace.
She starts at his forceful tone, and I glance up to her narrowed eyes and pinched mouth. “What about me, Ned?”
“We’re all about to risk our necks to take out this king and save your brother, and you’re going to deny us the strongest magic in the legion.”
I leap from the chair, my growl burning out of my throat. “How dare you,” I snarl, fisting Ned’s collar and dragging him to standing. “You have no rights to her choice.”
Grace decided long ago that her magic would belong to our children.
Ned glowers at me. “It’s been a long time since a woman has accepted. Would be nice right about now.”
“Give it up, Ned,” Master Hull growls. “Unless you want me to throw you in a pen with Riot.”
My Central station leader stands, towering over both of us.
Grace places her hand on mine, and I release Ned as she steps between us.
The eldest offspring of the last Master outranks me, the authority of the Heir is honored by all, but there’s never been an Heir who didn’t accept their magic. Until her.
“Make no mistake, Ned. I’ll be fighting right beside you,” she promises. “But if you speak of my magic again—” She takes a step closer, getting in his space. “I’ll send you to the Southern Continent, and you can start working on that territory alone.”
He blanches at his Heir’s words—a certain death sentence.
Ned huffs, dropping into his chair, and Grace steps back. “Are we clear?”
His eyes flick to the fire and then up to Grace. “My apologies for the overstep,” he says in a defeated tone, although I’m uncertain of his sincerity.
Riot smacks Ned across the back of the head, and Grace’s lip quirks. “You’re forgiven. Now grow some balls so we can win this thing.”
Longton chuckles beside Ned, eyes creasing under his thick black eyebrows.