The Huntress

Chapter 16

As much as she loved her family, dinner was absolutely unbearable. Trying to ignore the looks Elijah kept sending her way and the lovefest going on between her parents, it was enough to make Auryon want to jump out of her skin and run for the hills. The Huntress really couldn't get out of there quick enough.

Now here she is, in the waiting room of the council hall, could the night get any worse? Rolling her eyes, she could no longer take his piercing gaze. "Eli how much longer do you plan on looking at me like that?"

Crossing his arms, he leaned back against the wall beside her. "As long as it takes. I know you are up to something Aury." She shrugged refusing to give into his accusations.

Just then the chamber door opened, one of the council guards approached her. "Huntress Auryon, the council will see you now."

Nodding, she looked over towards Elijah, who had begun to follow her.

"Stay here."

Displeasure evident on his face, his voice low. "You can't be serious right now."

Auryon knew leaving him out of this was the right thing to do. "Drake and the council will be pissed when they hear that I didn't acquire the rogue. Then add to the fact that their men were given a good thrashing when they tried to take me in by force. Seeing you will just upset them even more and you know you can't control your temper with them."

Running his hand through his jet black hair, you could tell Elijah was anxious. Grabbing her hips he pulls her into him. "If you aren't back within the hour, I'm busting down those doors and burning this whole s**t down."

nodding her head in agreement and in part to reassure him. "It will be quick." Giving the Hunter a half-hearted smile. "I promise." Auryon removed his hands from her waist, giving them a gentle squeeze before letting go.

Taking a deep breath, the Huntress tried to mentally prepare herself for the hot mess that she was about to walk into.

Entering the hall was like going back in time. All around were remnants and artifacts of past eras. Portraits of her predecessors hung on the wall. Their stares reminding her that soon she too will be there, carrying the privilege as well as the burden of being the leader of the Hunters.

Walking ahead she made her way to the center of the room, where it appeared that the members of the council had already taken their seats around the large U shaped table. Auryon stopped in the middle, in front of where Lord Drake waited for her, a smirk ever present on his sly face. He was around her fathers age, you would think being older he would mature but no he was as conniving and petty as ever. Of course he even sat on a golden thrown, Drake loved his position enough that he would try and sabotage her ascent she was sure of it.

The Lord motioned for the meeting to begin, it was of no surprise that he was the first to speak. "Huntress Auryon how blessed are we that you have finally chosen to grace us with your presence." Making a show of it, Drake attempts to look behind her. "My eye sight must be failing me council members. After being belligerent and killing some of my men, that I so generously provided to escort her back here, she has the gall to finally show up.....rogueless."

Whispers filled the room, this wasn't going over well. Council member Jenkins spoke up next, his tone ever condesending. "Do we really expect anything more of Auryon and Elijah?"

An elder and the former Queens adopted father Sir Arthur Medley interjected. "Need i remind the entire council of their status and place? She will be addressed by her rightful title Queen in waiting Huntress Auryon and will be given her due respect. I'm sure she has a reasonable explanation for everything." motioning her with gentle eyes "If you may, please proceed."

"In regards to your men Lord Drake, they provoked it. Citing direct orders from you to apprehend me like a common criminal." This statement alone stirred the council, who then proceeded to whisper amongst themselves.

Lord Drake was seething, she continued before he could interrupt.

"Putting that aside, the issue with the rogue will conclude shortly. The rogue known as Cocidius was apprehended by King Crius. Since the rogue was in his territory King Crius claimed his right to interrogate the trespasser and gave me his word that he would personally bring him to the council....when he is done."

The room fell silent, a complete contrast to what it was earlier. The Huntress knew she had shocked them with her words.

"She lies..." Hissed Lord Drake.

Daring to look him directly in his eyes, her voice stern. "Unlike some...I do not lie. Now if the council could educate me on the history of King Crius I would be much obliged."

Jenkins interjected "You do not yet need to know such classified information, Huntress Auryon."

Crushing down his words, the Huntress didn't skip a beat. "I do if it pertains to my case and as it stands now it does."

The members began to bicker, their voices taking over the council chambers. Lord Drake stood up, silencing everyone. "For now Huntress Auryon you do not need to know. The council will dicuss it in private and then inform you of our conclusion."

Trying to control her anger, the Huntress managed to let out a "Fine" before bowing to the council members and making her way out. Before she could leave Drake had one more parting gift for her.

"Oh and Huntress Auryon, if King Crius fails to come through on his promise, you will pay the price in his stead."

Slamming the door behind her she no longer cared about what he or the council would say. She was angry...no beyond angry. So upset the Huntress just kept going, walking right past Elijah.

Rejecting the ride back home she decided to continue walking, attempting to process everything. Passing through the dense forest, she couldn't believe the reactions of both her father and the council.

"Auryon stop."

The council was so quick to chastise her but the moment she mentioned King Crius they couldn't get rid of her quick enough. She had it, if they weren't going to give her answers, she would just have to go straight to the source. However, she wasn't exactly confident that the King would be so forthcoming. Especially since there seemed to be bad blood between him and the council.

"Aury....."

Shaking her head. No....she is losing grip on what's important here. The rogue must be priority. King Crius won't give him to her willingly, so she will just have to take Cocidius from him. That's it her mind was made up.

"ENOUGH!" Turning her around to face him, Elijah used his speed to slam her up against a nearby tree.

"What the hell Eli!?" Looking up at him, the grip he had on her shoulders tightened.

"Just where is your head at? You made me call after you, again. What happened back there?"

Turning her face away from him, the Huntress didn't want him to see the look of shame she had on. "The council....they were of no help."

Chuckling Eli wasn't the least bit surprised. "And that's new?" His voice softened. "Look at me Aury."

Shaking her head, she couldn't look him directly in the eyes. The humiliation was almost unbearable.

"Look at me..." Letting go of one of her shoulders, he used his hand to lift her chin up to him. The moon was full tonight, it shined down upon him. He was breathtaking and so very strong, she took comfort in his confident eyes.

"That's better Aury....Don't listen to those fools. We will handle this just like any other mission. Together."

Brushing a strand of hair away from her face, he then held her cheek. Closing her eyes she wished that she could stay like this. Auryon knew that she couldn't drag him into what she was about to do.

If she were to get caught, the repercussions, she didn't want him to suffer alongside her. Bringing him into a hug, she caught him off guard. Auryon wanted to make him understand, filling him with her emotions.

Their bond. Their connection with each other. How much she cared for him. Elijah became overwhelmed, his eyes began to change again. That crimson color becoming more familiar to her now.

The Huntress knew then that she had made the right decision. If this part of him was triggered during a battle with the Original, the consequences would be catastrophic.

Elijah tightened his hold on her, bringing his head down he nuzzled her neck. Auryon didn't completely understand what was happening to him but she knew what must be done.

"Some things we must do alone."

Taking out the syringe from her back pocket she injected him with something that will make him go to sleep for a little while or at least long enough for her to capture the rogue. The look of betrayal and hurt as he staggered back collapsing in front of her, she will never forget it.

"I'm so sorry Eli."

Propping him up against a tree and making sure he was safe.There was no turning back now, she stood up ready to tackle her next challenge. The Original.