The Huntress

Chapter 9

The ride back to the hunters grounds was a silent one. Elijah could barely look at her, he was fuming. Staring out the window, she noticed that it had begun to storm. Rain had always been a source of comfort for her, but today everything felt so heavy.

Auryon wasn't used to failure, being the future Queen meant that there was no room for it. She knew very well that once they got back home, she would have to check in with the council. They will demand an explanation for her inability to complete the mission.

What will she tell them? Explaining how she was outsmarted by the Original will only make her look incompetent. They would question whether or not she is truly ready to take her place as Queen. Was she? Maybe not.

So many things had to be straightened out before she would feel comfortable on that throne. For one, what was the connection between King Crius and her father? How did they even know one another? Add to that the mystery surrounding Queen Cyrene, it had always bothered her.

The former Queen Huntress was the strongest in the Hunter bloodline. She was legendary. How was Cyrene killed and by whom?

The Council marked the events surrounding her death as classified. So no one really knew for sure what happened, all the Council would say was that the target was neutralized and the case was closed. That Queen Cyrene sacrificed her life to eliminate the threat, dying a hero's death.

Her father was Queen Cyrene's second in command, maybe that's how they both knew King Crius. The tone in Crius's voice when he said Cyrene's name was a clear indicator to her that they had some type of a relationship with one another. The Original did say that he was there when the laws were written, so at some point he had to be involved with the council.

There was no point in continuing to speculate without firm evidence. Auryon knew what she had to do, she had to have a serious conversation with her father.

Queen Cyrene's death had always been a touchy subject for him, so she knew not to push too hard. However, now things have most certainly changed. If she was to have any hope in gaining the upper hand with King Crius and completing her last mission she had to get Intel on him.

That had to be her first stop, her father. It was against protocol but to hell with it, she was going to get reprimanded by the Council regardless. Speaking to her father was priority.

The Huntress also had to stop seeing him as a parental figure and start seeing him as Malachi, Queen Cyrene's former second in command. She had questions that only Malachi held the answers to.

It was actually a bonus that speaking with him would delay her reporting to the Council. They were the last ones she wanted to deal with, especially Council leader Drake.

After Queen Cyrene's death, Malachi abdicated the throne. Instead focusing his attention on his family, raising both Auryon and Elijah. It didn't take long before Drake appointed himself as the temporary stand in for the future Queen/King.

Revolting. Based on the looks he always gave Auryon, she had no doubt that he would rather crown himself King and be done with her. The day they found out that she was set to be the future Queen was the first red flag for her. Drake was furious, refusing to believe it.

After Cyrene and her father Malachi, Drake was the third most powerful Hunter at the time. Her fists tightened just thinking about how he challenged her to a battle in front of everyone to "prove" she was worthy of the title "Queen in waiting."

She was only fourteen then, completely intimidated by him. He showed no mercy, beating her to a pulp. Auryon eventually blacked out, taken over by the force inside her. She almost killed Drake, had it not been for Elijah sensing something was wrong she would have.

That was also the day they all realized Elijah was her second in command. He was the only one able to stop her. This aggravated the Council even more. The thought of two unfavoured misfits leading the Hunters in the future was enough to drive them insane, especially Drake. She smiled at that thought. Her Eli, she didn't know what she would do without him.

"We are here." interrupting her thoughts she blinked at him, not registering what he just said.

"Look" Elijah pointed to the gate. Stepping out first so he could help her.

Reaching her hand out to him, the freezing temperature mixed with the rain made her shiver. Not wanting to be outside long, she knew what she had to do. Auryon made it clear to him through touch that she will be heading to her father's house.

Stopping Auryon in her tracks, Elijah pulled her into him. Catching her by surprise, he took his jacket off and covered her head. His scent and the heat coming off of his jacket was comforting. He must have sensed how tense she was and this was his way of consoling her.

Leaning into her, he brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. He was so close, she could feel his warm breath on her ice cold cheeks. Shaking his head, the way he was looking at her she knew better than to argue with him.

"First WE need to talk. Right now."

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