The Huntress

Chapter 10

Auryon hunkered down, farther into the protective darkness of Elijahs jacket. Feeling as much as hearing the ice rain beat down upon them. Elijah tugged on her hand as she went along, her boots growing heavier with each squelching step in the mud.

"Are we there yet?" Her teeth chattering, she was growing impatient. The Huntress didn't have to ask where he was taking her because she already knew.

The cabin in the woods, the place he was hidden in for years. After his mother's death her father moved Elijah in with them. He would still run off into the woods and they would always find him sleeping in the cabin. It was Elijahs only remaining connection to his mother.

It ended up becoming a safe place for both of them, somewhere to go after having a bad day. She understood very well why he was taking her there.

Walking up the porch steps, Auryon couldn't wait to get out of the cold. After giving the door a little shove, Elijah managed to pry it open making her chuckle.

"Eli the cabin is getting old." She teased. Ushering her in he quipped "She's old but sturdy, kind of like you." Earning him a swift slap to the back of the head.

"Hey I'm only 25 and you are older than I am, so you need to shut your trap." Rolling his eyes "Alright grandma, whatever you say, go take a seat in the chair while I get a fire started."

Huffing at him Auryon plopped herself into the rocking chair, her feet was instantly grateful. Leaning back she let out a sigh, suddenly the determination she had earlier was nowhere to be seen.

Looking down at her muddy boot, she opened the hidden compartment on the side. Pulling out the tactical knife Elijah had given her many years before.

She remembered that day clearly, after the battle with Drake she became a sort of hermit. Locking herself in her room, refusing to come out. Ten days in Elijah busted down the door and threw her over his shoulders. Dragging her kicking and screaming all the way to his cabin. He tied her to the rocking chair, refusing to let her up until she let it all out.

Auryon had shut down emotionally he knew this and hated it. Elijah pulled her out of that dark hole, allowing her a safe place to let out the anger and pain she had been holding in. Crying until she ran out of tears, he held on to her. Wiping her eyes afterwards, vowing to always be by her side.

Then giving her the knife to commemorate that day, their initials E&A carved on the handle. The blade was a thin and lightweight spear-point shape, about 4.4" long. It was a great length to combine both practical and fighting capabilities.

Eli had intended it to be used for close-quarters combat. If for whatever reason he wasn't by her side and all other forms of self defense had failed, this was her last resort weapon.

It even had a name, the Scarlett blade. Meant to symbolize courage when faced with adversity. The knife originally belonged to Witches. The descendents of the now long extinct Fae. Witches and Hunters at one point worked closely together. It was eventually given to Elijah as a gift from the witches, to honor his much beloved mother. They blessed it, making the blade an instant kill for most supernaturals.

Scarlett represented the bond between her and Eli. No matter what obstacles lie outside this cabin, they will always have each others back. If only she could stay here with Eli forever, wouldn't that be enough? Perhaps.

Unfortunately that's not what they were created for. Living a quiet peaceful life would never be in the cards for them. Gliding her fingers across their initials, she couldn't help but feel deflated.

"Hey, come back to me Aury." Looking up she realized Eli had knelt down in front of her, his hands resting on her knees. "Where did you go huh? I had been calling your name but you were somewhere else."

Shrugging, she knew better than to try and lie to him. "Just thinking of simpler times. Wishing it could always be that way." That's truly how she felt.

"Are you kidding me? When was anything ever simple for us? Stop channeling your inner old lady and reminiscing about the past. Focus on the now. Like helping me take those soaked boots off of you, so I can put them by the fire to dry."

Sighing, she couldn't argue with that. Eli was right, she did need to focus on the now and getting the information she desperately needed. "Well I hope it dries quickly, I have to see father and then the council...."

Interrupting her "Oh yeah, about that...you aren't going anywhere and will be staying here tonight. I ordered the guards at the gate to not tell anyone that we are back."

He delivered the news so matter-of-factly that she couldn't believe what she was hearing, causing her to sit up straight "Excuse me?"

Smiling at her "You are excused. Now why don't you help me undo your boots. There's so many buttons, straps, and zippers to it. It's like I need a secret code to get them off your feet."

Auryons jaw dropped "What did you just say to me?" She starts to get up "I'm leaving."

Elijah pushes her back into the chair. Towering over her now, he brings his face to hers "We can do this the hard way or the easy way. You can help me with those lock puzzle boots of yours or....now this is my personal favorite..." Smiling, he brings his lips to her ear. "I can tie you to this chair again. Taking into account the fact that you are drenched and need to change clothes....it would be nothing but enjoyable for me."

Tilting his head he looked to her, making sure she understood leaving wasn't up for a debate. Crossing her arms "Fine...I'll stay but know this you dictator....if it came down to us battling it out, I would win in a fight with you."

Nodding, while kneeling back down in front of her "Mmhmm I'm sure you think you could win. You would be wrong but as your second, I support whatever delusions you may have."

Glaring at him, if looks could kill. Auryon leaned forward attempting to assist him in undoing her boots. Her face instantly collided with Elijahs head. "Aury, are you alright?" Bringing his hand up, he gently stroked her injured cheek. "I know that must have hurt."

Closing her eyes she leaned into his touch. Cradling his hand with her own. How was he always so warm? She didn't really care, it just felt so nice, especially since she was freezing.

Realizing how awkward this must be for Elijah, she opened her eyes attempting to pull back. He stopped her, bringing his other hand up to cover the other side of her face. No words were spoken, they just got lost in each other. In that moment, nothing else existed.

Auryon couldn't help but admire his captivating azure blue eyes. Bringing his forehead to her own he whispered "The way you are staring at me right now, only look at me this way. How my hands grace your beautiful face, reserve that privilege only for me....NOT the Original."

Startled, that foreign voice was back. Breaking away from his hold she couldn't believe what she was seeing. His azure blue eyes, a red ring started to develop around it. Crimson red. The color she saw back at Crius's office.

For Hunters when in a heightened emotional state or when using your abilities your eyes become almost silver. This crimson color....she's never seen that before. Reaching out to touch his face "Eli......Your eyes."

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A/N

Should the next chapter bring it back to King Crius or should we see what happens with Auryon and Elijah? Tough call for me...both are so juicy its hard to choose.

~Frankie