The Huntress

Chapter 14

Accepting the dry clothes that Elijah gave her, Auryon couldn't help but feel uneasy about last night. Thinking back to the moment they shared, the way he grabbed her wrist before she was able to touch his face. The Huntress couldn't believe how he brushed her off, saying that the red she saw in his eyes was just the light reflecting off the fireplace.

He could barely look at her now, there was definitely something going on with him she just couldn't figure out what. lacing up her boots Auryon needed to get back into the game. There was much to do and such little time to accomplish it all.

"I'm heading out Eli! Be back in a few." In the blink of an eye, he was standing in front of her.

"Not without me you aren't." cutting her off before she could protest "It's been a while since I've seen the old man, he'll be pissed if I don't check in."

The short walk to her father's house was a quiet and awkward one. Neither her or Elijah were ready to address what happened between them, but the tension was there.

Turning the corner she spotted her father waiting outside his house. "How sloppy, I sensed you both a mile away. I thought I raised you better than that." Contradicting his words, Malachi opened his arms beaming with pride.

Shoving Eli out of the way, Auryon was the first to hug him. "Where's mother?" Looking around she was nowhere to be found.

"She's out back tending to her horses. I'll go get her, she also had a feeling you two would show up soon."

Holding on to her father, Auryon knew she had to handle the business at hand.

"Actually, first we need to speak. I have some questions that only Malachi can answer."

Looking from her to Elijah, he immediately understood. Releasing Auryon from his hold, she was no longer speaking to her father but to Queen Cyrene's second.

Sitting down at the table Malachi wasted no time in getting to the point. "What is it that you both need to know?"

Clearing her throat, Auryon knew she had to remain firm there was no going back now.

"Queen Cyrene's death, what really happened? As her second you should be privy to this information."

Breathing in deeply, Malachi carefully chose his words "Queen Cyrene died a hero, the rest is classified."

The Huntress wasn't surprised by his answer, she refused to back down.

"I have it on good authority that what was told to everyone isn't exactly the truth. In fact they went as far as to say that you have been lying to both Elijah and I about the circumstances surrounding the Queens death "

Leaning forward, Malachis voice was so low he clearly didn't appreciate being called a liar.

"Who exactly told you this?"

Answering on her behalf, Elijah finally spoke. "King Crius."

Staring intently at Eli, the energy Malachi was giving off shifted when Crius was brought up. "What were you doing in his territory?"

Caving under pressure Elijah turned to her, his brow raised. "Yeah Aury, what were we doing in his territory?"

All eyes were on her now, she got whiplash at how fast Eli turned on her. Traitor, she will get him back later.

"We were tracking a rogue......Look, I'm the one asking questions here. Malachi, second of Queen Cyrene, are you assisting in the cover up of her death and what is your connection to King Crius?"

Bringing his hands together Malachi had steadied himself. "Unless you have some sort of proof against me, I have nothing more to say on this matter. Now speaking as the man who raised you, I order you both to stay away from Crius."

Auryon couldn't believe what he was saying. "Why?"

Slamming his fist down on the table her father had enough. "He's dangerous and has a target on his back. I will not lose you both to him."

Taken aback Eli spoke up "What does that mean Malachi?"

Shaking his head, her father didn't budge. "Stay away from him, that is a direct order from me. Until Auryon is crowned and you have taken your vows Elijah, I am still above you both in rank."

Pushing her seat back, she knew the conversation was over. "I'm going to see mother." Rushing out, she didn't wait for a response.

Shoving open the back door, Auryon was halfway to the stables when she sensed it. She was surrounded.

"Queen in waiting Huntress Auryon, Lord Drake requests your presence in the council hall."

Drake's henchmen circled around her. Dressed in all black combat attire with masks that hid their identity, they gave off nothing but bad vibes.

"Sorry boys but I have somewhere to be.....Drake can wait."

Closing in on Auryon, they refused to let her take one more step forward.

"Huntress Auryon you will comply, otherwise we've been given orders to take you in by force."

Glaring at him, she wanted to make sure she heard him right. "Are you threatening me?" That she won't forgive.

Without answering the leader signaled to one of the men next to her. Before he could touch her a whip wrapped around his arm, ripping it clean off. Writhing in pain, something grabbed the henchmen tossing him a few feet away.

That unknown force then stood right in front of her. Auryon couldn't believe what she was seeing.....