The Crown Hackura Prince and His Dragon Princess

The Fixer Pt.2

I shook off the past and continued my thoughts, “She wanted to help the family too. You keep trying to give her this peaceful life in some misguided effort or guilt. I actually think it’s guilt for both of you. She’s the strongest person I know. She can handle knowing that someone is out there protecting her son. What’s the downfall of telling her? Honestly.”

Neither said anything. I hugged them both. I said, “Look, no one understands better than her that you compartmentalize, but it would mean a lot to her if you asked her to profile this person.” Uncle Eric said, “I mean it points to someone being obsessed with our son.” I agreed, “They definitely care about him. I can see in your eyes you have a suspect.” He rubbed his temples and I frowned because it was like he was in pain.

He said, “It doesn't make sense.” I asked, “Who is it?” He answered, “It can’t be. She’s living her dream.” I hated those words. I shrugged, “And?” He said, “My guy would notice if she wasn’t in class. I’ve had him check the times.” I pointed out, “He’s not with her every second of every day. She could make friends. The Resistance is good at getting in and out. I read a report that she introduced herself to him. She made him.” He frowned.

I said, “I’m not saying this is her, but I’m not saying it’s not. Aunt Haley could probably tell you best.” Uncle Eric acknowledged, “Part of why I haven’t fully brought her in is because she’s postulated that Melanie could be involved in the Resistance should she exist.” I rolled my eyes, “You guys need to actually sit her down and tell her you’re being honest that the girl exists. What’s her evidence?”

He answered, “Esther is a great shot and taught her how to shoot. Six shots, on our six.” How the hell had I not seen that? That was true. He admitted, “From the first group that went out her profile says our sniper showed rage.” I nodded, “I know.” There was no arguing that. Uncle Eric shrugged, “She pointed out that Melanie’s brother and Grandpa were in the line of fire.”

That made sense to me. I added, “Plus Julian and I think the only person that doesn’t know who she likes is the man she likes himself.” Alexander literally refused to see it.” My dad winced now. I asked, “What?” Uncle Eric said, “Haley doesn’t know either.” I asked, “How? Because she thinks she’s a prank?” Uncle Eric nodded, “That and Melanie never really comes up around her. She’s asked Sam about her, but the subject is always changed.”

I commented, “That’s weird. You do get that, right? Tell Aunt Haley everything.” He rubbed his head again. I asked, “Are you ok?” I shot my dad a concerned look. He told me, “I have a headache. I’ll show these to Haley, but I’m respecting Alexander’s decisions about Melanie.” I stared at him for several seconds.

Before I could argue Bexley popped in, grabbed him, and left. I asked, “Dad, why doesn’t he recognize the difference in telling Aunt Haley that Melanie likes Alexander and Alexander likes Melanie?” He answered, “He’s respecting everyone in the situation like Haley would want him to.” Good lord.

I said, “Fair warning, you guys tell her about these killings or I will. It would just mean more coming from you than me. She knows I’d include her in a heartbeat.” He nodded, “Eric’s going to tell her. I could tell.” Unless he gets some weird notion like he had about the Melanie and Alexander situation.

I asked, “Do you think Melanie is in the Resistance?” He answered, “Some days, yes.” I asked, “And others?” He said, “Others I think Ashley Griffen is the one who likes Alexander so much she’s doing all this.” I pointed out, “She could be working with Melanie.” He said, “Micah and Cayden would catch onto that. They are smart, but they’d slip up and be together. Or Micah and Cayden would hear someone from Black Path talking about it.”

That was true. They weren’t the smartest pack. I played devil’s advocate, “I’ll postulate a situation to you. Say those pack leaders getting taken out are the Resistance. Those packs are into shady s**t, maybe even the Rings themselves. Which means the Rings are running those packs. Gods and Goddesses have interfered in a lot of paths to hide those things from us. This could be that. Melanie could be around Black Path, but they are being run by the Ring and protected.”

He snorted, “That would be a step too far for any god or goddess.” I didn’t agree but he was King. He rubbed his head. I asked, “Dad?” He admitted, “I have a slight headache myself. We don’t have jurisdiction over a she wolf.” I snorted, “We technically do as the protectors of the realm.” He laughed but I was serious.

He took a cookie out of a baggie. I asked, “What’s that? He answered, “I steal these cookies from your Aunt and Uncle’s pack. They are delicious. Would you like one?” I snorted, “I can smell the peanut butter from here.” Aunt Haley and I were the ones in the family who disliked peanut butter. He shrugged at them.

He said, “We will figure this all out. Let’s go.” I did not care for the loss of urgency he felt in the bond. He portaled us into his office. He said, “So, your trip to Mexico…” I winced, “I’m changing the dates. I want to go earlier so that Maddox, Linc, and I can tour the realm again to look for our mates.”

He agreed, “That’s fine.” He felt cautious. I said, “I don’t have high hopes I’ll find her. I just want to try and Maddox is especially down about not finding his.” My dad knew why that was so he nodded. He said, “It’s always good for us to tour the realm and be seen. Set up the standard meetings with the Lords and Ladies. I know your mate is out there and when you find her she will be worth every second of the wait.”

I told him, “You don’t need to feel guilty about it dad. It’s not your timing that’s a factor here. Aesir has me waiting, and I trust that. This trip mostly isn’t for me even though I really do want to find my mate.” I was just getting this crazy sense that she wasn’t even in this realm. Which truly was insane. No Hackura King had ever had a mate that wasn’t in this realm or a full blooded Hackura.

We talked for a bit longer before I left. I felt Hugo’s intense emotions. I was going to hunt Gabe down, but I was going to Hugo first now. I found him cutting up a tree with an axe. I called, “Brother?” He stalled the axe and turned. I asked, “What’s wrong?” He shrugged at me. So, I nodded and portaled away. I came back with my own axe and got to work.

He laughed but started hitting the tree again. When he wound down I did too. I asked, “Are you ready to talk yet?” He answered, “Holly is on a mission.” I nodded, “Her first one after my youngest nephew.” He admitted, “I didn’t like her feelings about it. She feels so guilty when she leaves for the first time. I have the boys. Well, they are in school.” Holly never took a mission until her youngest was ready to start school.

He ran his hand through his hair, “I just hate when she feels this way. Her feelings had me thinking the mission started off rocky too.” I told him, “Go pick up my nephews from school and I’ll go find my sister in law and have her six.” He asked, “Yeah?” I playfully shoved him, “Of course. She’s a sister to me and you are my brother. I will do anything for any of you. Portal away before your boys think you forgot them.” He snorted but handed me his axe and portaled away.

I portaled to Cayden. He looked up, “Hey, H.” I greeted, “Cousin. How’s Cassie?” He beamed, “She’s great.” It was always fun in the human realm saying my cousins were married to each other. They freaked out then I explained they weren’t related, but I did love that icebreaker. He asked, “What can I do for you?” I answered, “I need to know where Holly is.”

He frowned, “She’s in Brazil.” I asked, “Why?” He answered, “She’s spying on some demons running around there.” I nodded, “I’ll find her.” I opened a portal and faded back. I’d been here myself watching some demons so I figured Holly would be around there.

I found her playing soccer with some kids. She was having a great time, but what I did not care for was the amount of eyes on her. When their game ended she left and walked away. She was headed for a confrontation and she knew it. She was leading them away from the humans she’d been playing with.

I easily followed. I wouldn’t step in if she didn’t need it, but I’d be here if this went south. When she reached a quiet deserted area she turned. The demon said, “We don’t like outsiders in our business.” She chuckled, “And Prince Logan Cambridge doesn’t like it when Demons threaten our people.” She let her eyes blaze.

They had a choice here. They could walk away knowing she was Hackura or engage. The smart thing to do would be disengage and leave. Every Demon knew the price they’d pay if my Uncle Logan found out they hurt one of ours. He was not one for being subtle in his messages to the community. I pulled out my phone and texted my cousin Maximus.

Me: Shimmer to me. Holly is being surrounded by dumb Demons.

Maximus: Are you f*****g serious? What do these people need from us? Dad has made it clear they don’t f**k with our people. How many consequences do they need from him, me, my family, and Iblis himself?

Me: Based on their body language they need another.

He shimmered in beside me and faded back. I sent him my feelings would help if necessary, but since we could both sense there were more people coming it was going to be necessary. My brother’s anxiety was mounting again. I sent Hugo my feelings that I was here and everything would be ok.

My dad sent me concern, but I let him know this was in hand. I’d pull him here if I needed to. We would all be coming home today. One of the Demons threw a fireball that Holly dodged easily. She laughed, “So, it’s the hard way then?” The Demon said, “We have a message from the Demons that live in the earthly realm to send.” Do they?

She asked, “And that is?” He said, “Mind your own damn business and stay out of ours.” She reminded him, “We are the protectors of the realms.” He grinned, “Yes, I know that’s your line. Here’s mine: You let a lot of people down because we are protected beyond your wildest dream. There are things going on that you know nothing about.” I had told my dad that earlier today. He was going to be mine to question with my dad. We were the best in our family at torture techniques.

He laughed, “You just have no idea.” A fireball came out of nowhere and killed him. I felt Maximus’ shock and based on my bond with Hugo he’d felt Holly’s surprise as well. A Demon said, “Speak not of things you don’t know. You’re just grunts doing work. What’s happening here?” Holly answered, “I was just playing soccer with some human kids and surveying the area. They followed and obviously want to try and kill me for being in this realm.”

He sighed, “Fools. All of you. Kill her and get out.” I faded in and threw a knife that landed in his shoulder. He screamed when he felt the poison on it take his powers. I’d have Aunt Haley heal him. Then he was shimmered away by another groupie here. God damn it!

Holly was already fighting. Fireballs came from my left shoulder aimed at those near here. Holly didn’t even bat an eyelash knowing Maximus and I were here fighting with her. I yanked on my bond with my Aunt. She popped in and asked, “What the motherfucking f**k is going on here?”

Maximus laughed, “It feels like cheating when we call her in.” Her eyes blazed, “You motherfuckers think you can attack MY niece and nephews?! I THINK THE f**k NOT!” She blew them all up. She turned and popped to Maximus first and healed a burn on his arm. He laughed, “My skin can withstand burns better than their cans.” I replied, “I didn’t get burned.” She popped to me, evaluated me, then went to Holly.

She healed a small cut then popped us all out of there to Hugo’s house. My nephews shouted, “MOM!” My younger nephews ran to her while my older ones crossed their arms. My parents showed up but we didn’t say anything until the younger ones went to bed.

Aunt Haley opened a portal and dragged Uncle Eric through it. When we were alone my dad asked, “What happened?” Holly said, “They weren’t happy we were there. There’s something big going on. Logan needs to get with his Demon contacts. Maybe Iblis can get some details too, but the Demons living in the human realm have some big secrets.”

I started to sketch the Demon we had seen that showed up and killed the one about to give us information. I gave it to my dad and I felt from the bond he knew who it was. Aunt Haley didn’t give a reaction, but I was certain she knew him too.

Maximus asked, “So who is he? You clearly know who it is from H’s sketch.” Uncle Logan portaled in and then threw a dagger at the wall. Aunt Haley snapped her fingers and it was back in his hand and the wall was repaired.

Aunt Haley answered, “That is Teserki.” I stared at my dad, but he didn’t know. The jolt from Maximus said he did. I pressed, “And he is?” Maximus answered, “A Demon that takes bounties for high priority targets. He charges a steep price.” I asked my Aunt, “Can you pop to him?” I felt my dad’s alarm and sent him a question in reply.

Aunt Haley explained, “No, I can’t. He can’t be shimmered, popped, apparated, or any other thing. He has serious protections and one day will be tortured in hell by Iblis.” I pointed out, “Can’t he get to him?” My dad answered, “No.” I snorted, “What? He’s their demigod! He’s the f*****g King.” My dad said, “I know he is.” So, we weren’t answering the question.

Aunt Haley admitted, “He has vowed to kill me one day.” Uncle Eric snarled, “HE WHAT?!” I pointed at my Uncle, “What he said.” Maximus stood, “ARE YOU f*****g SERIOUS?!” Aunt Haley answered, “Yes. He wants to kill me and BA.” I asked, “Why don’t I know that?!’

Aunt Haley admitted, “I don’t know. I thought our whole family did.” My dad said, “You were on a long mission. Several of you were. We didn’t keep it from you intentionally.” I replied, “It sounds like something we should get a phone call for. Or I don’t know, something we hunt him down and kill him for.” I sent a text to my brothers and cousins in our group chat.

Me: Teserki is a Demon who wants to kill Aunt Haley. If you see or hear about him, take back up and kill him.

I put my phone away knowing it was going to blow up with notifications. My dad said, “We have been looking, but Teserki is very well protected. Not even Aiden has been able to find him. We are always looking for him.”

I asked, “What happened?” Aunt Haley grinned, “I pissed him the f**k off and I’d do it again.” I looked at Maximus. He demanded, “Someone tell us what happened here!” Uncle Eric had snatched Aunt Haley into his arms taking in her scent.

Uncle Logan said, “Haley and BA had a mission. They were going in to extract a spear that was forcibly marked. They did that, but the spear told them about her children. Haley went back and BA followed. They saved the kids and…” He trailed off.

Aunt Haley said, “And I brutally f*****g murdered anyone who had anything to do with it. I had a camera set up and I went back and kept killing them. The mate of the woman and father of the children in question was an awful f*****g person and I wanted him to know I was coming for him. I taunted him and didn’t exactly mention I was doing it.”

My dad scoffed. I thought cheering would be inappropriate but I loved when my Aunt used her stealthy side and went full Hackura on people. She said, “That man was selling his spear and children to be used in any way anyone who paid him allowed. I projected on them and I know did, but I know what that f*****g feels like. I wasn’t going to let it stand. So, I tortured the mate until Marcus and Blade found me. Then I killed him.”

This seemed like something I should’ve known about. I sent my dad those feelings and he felt a little guilty. I went through the bond and realized they’d kept it close so it wouldn't get out. I asked, “How high is his bounty? Why hadn’t he tried for you or BA?”

Aunt Haley answered, “Around fifty million dollars. He hasn’t tried for me because he didn’t care about the man. Whom by the way, was his brother. It’s more of his f*****g pride which makes him a worse person. His vow included if anyone could get the money to pay him he’d kill me. It’s pretty unfuckinglikely to happen. The Ring even wants me alive for god’s sake.” A lot of people could easily find him. I asked, “So, Uncle Gunner has shut down his means of communication.” It was the only way no one had tried yet.

My dad said, “He shut down all known channels and monitors it all heavily. Aiden has used very powerful charms so that anyone who means Haley harm can’t get ahold of him.” Well, that was something. I said, “Send me after him.” My dad shook his head, “No.” I asked, “Why the hell not?” He answered, “The reason no one has been able to find him and how Iblis is unable to is because Teserki is his Uncle.”

Maximus asked, “He is? I’ve never heard of him.” My dad said, “He’d be the black sheep of the family.” Aunt Haley said, “He is not black or a damn sheep.” Uncle Eric snarled, “So a GOD is after my mate?!” I answered, “He wouldn’t be the god. Asmodeus’ line would be Iblis but Iblis’ father is not Asmodeus.”

Uncle Bjourn agreed, “He’s also a demigod. He’s just nowhere as powerful as Iblis is.” Uncle Eric growled, “Why don’t I know about this?” Aunt Haley snorted, “Because I was kind of hoping everyone f*****g forgot about that.” My dad replied, “As if we could.” It kind of seemed like they did.

We talked about it more before my dad showed us everything that was being done. Iblis was keeping an ear out for his Uncle and by all accounts Teserki did not actually care about his brother. Aunt Haley was right he’d made no moves against her.

I said, “A demigod working with the Ring is kind of a f*****g problem.” Aunt Haley’s irritation shot through the bond before she shut it down. My dad agreed, “It is.” Maximus asked, “Why does that irritate Aunt Haley?” She answered, “Because I f*****g said that d**k was involved but no one could find proof.” Now, I had a headache.

We talked over it for a while longer before everyone dispersed. I clapped Hugo on the back. He said, “Thank you, brother.” I snorted, “I will always have your six.” I left and jogged over to my Aunt talking to my dad. Uncle Eric was still possessively wrapped around her.

She handed him a file, “This is my assessment and psychological profile of the person killing those bounty Hunters. Are you guys absolutely positive we don’t know Alexander’s mate? Because I know Emmaline knows now. She’s known for several years, but I respect that Alexander doesn’t want to know. I’m not going to put her in that spot. I’m just saying I would do this for Eric. I have done s**t like this for our family.”

My dad asked, “What are you talking about?” She ignored him, “Are we sure this isn’t his mate?” My dad said, “He’s never met his mate.” She felt disappointed but didn’t voice it. Or call him on his evasive statement. She nodded, “Well, someone is protecting him. It’s either family, his mate, or someone that owes him. It’s not a dangerous obsession to him like you feared. This person is a supernatural.” She popped her and Uncle Eric away.

I told my dad, “I’m glad you told her.” He shrugged, “Eric did.” I said, “But the file is yours and she’d know you gave him permission.” He nodded, “I did.” I asked, “Is there any other danger out there to her?” He answered, “There are dangers out there for all of us. There are people who have vowed to kill you, me, your mom, and literally every member of this family.”

I admitted, “That’s true.” There were people who had vowed to kill all of us without ever meeting any of us. I asked, “Has Teserki ever met Aunt Haley?” He snorted, “No, he hasn’t.” Which meant he didn’t want to. It was well known where she lived now. I surmised, “Does he not live in the human realm? Despite the fact those demons we killed did?” He answered, “If he did we’d have found him.” I acknowledged that with the tip of my head.