Page 21 of A Seduction Of Death (Umbra Hunters #4)

TWENTY-ONE

Razar

M y heart thunders in my chest as I stare at a man I only see in my nightmares, the man I trusted with my life but now distrust more than anything in this world. My vision darkens, sweat forms on my brow, and I can feel bile crawling up my throat as I observe him from the darkened corner of the room. My fingers tremble, fresh blood dripping from them as I stare at Archer’s unmoving form, lying in a web of spells that bind not only his body but encase his magic in a soft glowing green light.

I felt him when I entered the castle after doing the premature check Lennox had ordered. I felt his magic call to mine, and mine answered instantly. The light to my dark, my balance in every way, and the better part of me. Or rather, who I once thought was the better of us.

Now I’m unsure about everything I’ve ever thought or believed.

One simple action, one arrow shot from the bow I made with my own hands, a gift I thought would keep him safe, and everything in my life altered, tearing me from a reality I once knew and into a world with more pain and heartache than I ever wanted to know.

Tilting my head to the side, I try to rationalize that Valen has him under control with what looks like Father’s magic aiding him. However, I’m struggling to see why he’s still breathing when we have him here. That thought alone is enough that pain sparks through my body, my knees threatening to give out at the very idea of living in a world without my twin.

Yet the reminder of how my Pup’s body felt when it collapsed in my arms, her wide green eyes darkening, life draining from her small body because of an attack meant for me. An arrow lodged deep in her back, her slim fingers clinging to me as if I could save her, her breath stilling in her lungs. Pup’s heartbeat as it slowly faded until it gave one last beat, one last cry for help as I stood there helpless, holding onto her while mentally pleading to any God who would listen to save the girl in my arms. The girl I hated for making me feel things I swore I never would. The girl I had an unhealthy obsession with and followed around on a daily basis without her or my brother's knowledge, needing to be close and to ensure she was safe, but never understanding why. I stood on that battlefield and watched her die in my arms, unable to save her.

And it was all because of him.

My hands fly up, rubbing at my temples as pain explodes through me, the memory replaying over and over in my mind until my Beastia roars in my head, demanding to be set free and take the revenge he so desperately wants.

But it’s Arch, I whisper to him, trying to calm my Beast’s need for his death while balancing the conflicting feeling of betrayal I currently hold for my twin. I both want his death and feel weak at the very mention of the word. Fuck, I hate this. I should just kill him and eradicate the problem. Sure, it might hurt, but I’m not a stranger to pain.

I can handle it.

Almost as if I’m stuck in a nightmare, I feel my body step forward, bringing me out of the shadows I keep around me. The lack of darkness has my teeth on edge; the overwhelming feeling of being out in the open… exposed for anyone to see, makes my skin crawl.

My cloak swirls around my feet as I take another step, bringing myself only inches from the soft, familiar gleam of Valen’s magic. The green power swirls through the air, the shield it’s constructed around Arch strong enough that the hairs on my arms stand on end when I study it.

Kill, my Beast demands, raging inside me as my hand moves to the blade I stole from Pup, the one she tried to kill me with that night she discovered our truth—my most prized possession next to Pup herself and my tiny monster. The blade feels heavy in my palm, far exceeding what it should actually weigh, as I raise a shaking hand and push the hood off my head, letting it fall to my shoulders.

Reaching out, I press the tip of the Kalis into Valen's magic and begin to whisper the words I know will help break through his shields, words Valen taught me himself if I ever needed to get out of a trap. The light green magic glows with resistance as I slowly weave black magic into the beauty of the green, darkening its presence and bending it to my magic’s will, destroying the beauty with my darkness.

I almost laugh at the picture it paints, unable to compare myself and my life to what's in front of me. This is how it always is. I take the beauty of life and eradicate it with the heavy cloak of death, bending its light to my dark and ensuring it never survives. I watch Valen’s magic spark and fight its inevitable demise, careful not to harm my brother while I break the shield. I know I would have no chance of breaking through if he hadn't shown me how, and I almost feel guilty about destroying his well-laid-out protection. My magic webs through the green light like a poison until it expands just the smallest amount and snaps.

I wince back from the wave of magic, waiting for it to disperse and knowing I have minutes… maybe even seconds to decide what to do before he is down here to stop me. Crouching down, I rest my elbows on my knees and stare at Arch.

“What did I do to make you hate me, brother?” I ask, my voice rough to even my ears as I watch his unmoving face. I can still feel Father’s magic surround him and frown, wondering why it's so intertwined within his mind. I can barely feel any of Archer's magic from the pressing and almost overbearing weight of Father’s. “And how are you still alive if Father knows of your presence here?” I muse, moving the Kalis blade forward and flicking a lock of light brown hair from Archer’s forehead.

His skin is pale, almost sickly looking, and he has dark circles weighing heavy under his closed eyes, the color so deep they look like bruising. His lips are dry and cracked, his breaths weak and almost wheezing in his chest as I trail the tip of the blade down his neck and stop just above his heart. This is not the Archer I knew, the brother I would do anything for, including giving my life, but rather a ghost of a man I wish were still here.

“I’m sorry, brother,” I whisper, hating that I’m so weak that I feel as if I need to offer an apology to the man who tried to take my Pup from me. Yet here I am, crouched down beside him, giving him an easy death rather than the one bathed in pain and blood as he deserves. But even the memories of Pup dying in my arms can’t bring me to do anything more than this. Anything more will end me as much as him.

A dark chuckle breaks through my suddenly dry lips as I press the tip of the blade into Archer’s chest. Who am I kidding? Killing Arch will very likely send me straight into the very pits of madness. But I would rather risk my sanity and carry the pain of Archer’s death on my shoulders than ever see my Pup lifeless in my arms again.

My Beast snarls in approval as the scent of Archer's blood fills the room, and I have to swallow the need to throw up as I brace myself and let my eyes fall shut, accepting my new reality just as a large body slams into mine. I’m suddenly rolling across the ground, my head banging against the dirty ground as Creed wraps himself around me, cursing as we hit the wall behind us with such force my breath is forced from my lungs.

“Oh, fuck. That hurt,” Creed moans, and I can't stop the growl that bursts from me as I shove him off.

“You have a death wish, don't you?” I snarl, my eyes shifting, claws erupting from my fingertips as my teeth rattle in my head at the hard impact against the wall.

“Yeah, not really,” Creed groans, his hand rubbing at one of his temples as my Beast presses to the front of my mind. How fucking dare he get in the way of our revenge? “But I can't let you kill him, man.”

“That’s not your choice to make!” I shove myself to my feet, glaring down at my little brother, trying to decide if I will be committing two murders tonight.

“No. It’s mine, and you may not kill him, Razar,” Father's voice rings out, echoing through the dungeons with such finality that I can feel my lip pull into a snarl as I turn on him, Kalis still in hand.

“It’s not yours. You said I could decide his fate when we had him!” I accuse, anger and confusion warring within me as Father shakes his head and crosses his arms. My gaze briefly moves to his side where Lennox appears, eyeing me wearily before his attention moves around the room, taking note of everyone and everything in attendance. He glares at Creed and takes a step forward.

“You are supposed to be with Meyer!”

“She’s asleep! I was worried about Archer after what I did and couldn’t sleep until I came to check on him. I was planning on being here for thirty seconds tops before I went back to her, and it’s lucky I came since you guys were almost too late!” Creed says with a huff, glaring at me as Valen walks into the room, his glower dark and accusing as he rubs at his chest. If I weren't so upset, I might offer him an apology for destroying his magical shield, but my mind is focused on one thing and one thing alone.

Archer, who is still alive and only feet from me.

“Don’t, son,” Father says, voice softening as if he pities me for having to see my twin like this.

“You promised,” I hiss, and he nods.

“I know. But that is not Archer.” I scoff at his words and shake my head at his pathetic attempt at a lie. I know my brother when I see him, and that is Arch.

“It’s Arch,” Nox says, cutting in and moving toward me, making sure he places himself between Arch and me, and I frown. That bastard knows I won’t hurt him and has placed himself in the line of fire, effectively cutting off my way to attack. “But he’s being controlled by Jesthren, Raz. Father, Valen, and I are all in agreement about that. Archer is not in control of his mind or body and is a victim in this war.”

I blink, then blink again, the shadows of the room thickening as I try to digest the words Nox just uttered. Archer is not in control of his mind or body and is a victim in this war. I hear the Kalis fall from my fingers as I slowly turn and look at my Father, at his nod, my eyes snap to Valen, and he gives me a sad smile that has my magic sparking.

“He didn’t kill Pup?” I ask as I try to regain my thoughts.

“No,” Nox whispers, and I nod, looking at Archer’s still form, then back at Father.

“He didn't betray you?” I manage to grit out; a fiery red haze starts to build behind my eyes as Father shakes his head.

“I don't believe so.”

“The bigger thing is that Arch didn't betray you, Raz. He’s still in there, but he’s trapped,” Valen supplies, the words landing with a blow as my knees buckle, making me crash to the floor. An odd sound wheezes from my throat as I look at Valen, who is watching as his brows furrow, and he, Nox, and Creed all jump forward, trying to help.

I bring my hands up, not wanting to be touched. My skin feels like it's on fire; an odd sort of energy itches just under the surface as my heart pounds in my ears.

“Breathe, Razar!” Nox demands, and I nod, trying to listen to him, but nothing seems to work. I can feel my sanity snapping, my anger at Archer twisting into outright rage toward my oldest brother. How fucking dare Jesthren do this.

“Razar! Man, you’ve got to calm down and fucking breathe,” Creed snaps, his hand moving to grab my shoulder, and I snarl, throwing myself back so he can't touch me.

“Don't!”

Creed flinches back, but I can’t think clearly enough to feel bad about it. I can’t be touched. I can’t have physical contact. I’m barely clinging to the control I have left. I’m spiraling, and I know it, but it's as if my mind has shattered, and I can no longer focus on anything.

“Don’t touch him,” Valen snaps, and Nox growls, looking so damn concerned it's almost amusing. Is this what it’s come to? Scared, with all my family gathered around me while I lose my mind?

“I-I almost killed him,” I whisper, more to myself than my family.

“Yeah. Uh, I might have done more than a silly little cut on the chest. So don’t be too hard on yourself,” Creed admits, trying to help calm me, and my eyes snap up to his. He holds his arms out in front of him from whatever he sees in my gaze and grimaces. “I wasn't thinking straight, and I feel like absolute shit about it. But Meyer was hurt; there was blood everywhere from his attack. Her fucking neck was sliced open, and I lost control.” He swallows and looks almost as pale as Arch does. He puts a hand over his mouth while Valen and Nox tense up beside me. “I think I’m going to be sick thinking about it,” he mumbles behind his hand, but my mind is stuck on that last bit he said about Pup, latching onto a single piece of information.

The panic from only seconds ago fades, my mind clearing instantly as I slowly move my eyes from Creed to Valen before settling on Nox. His expression is all I need to see to confirm Creed’s words. Valen glares at Creed and reaches out, whacking him upside the head as Nox curses and opens his mouth to explain, but I’m already on my feet. Shadows erupt from every corner of the room, making my Father shout in surprise.

“When the hell did he start doing that?” he asks Valen and shoves Creed out of my way, letting my shadows encase my brothers so they don’t attempt to stop me and risk their lives by getting between me and my Pup.

“Wait! Raz, I already healed?—”

The rest of Lennox’s words fade as I move through the room, allowing the shadows to assist my movements, guide me from the dungeons, and lead me toward the barracks. I shove Hunters and Rangers out of my path as I storm through the halls, my magic whipping around my heels, quickening my pace.

I ignore the gasps and shivers of fear as my magic carves through the castle, following me as I move through the snow and making the door to the barracks open with a slam, startling the giant red-haired Hunter inside.

“What the actual fuck!? What's with you and your brothers breaking that damn door?” Monroe bellows, making the Rangers at his side take several steps back from the angry Hunter. I don’t spare the man a single look before running up the stairs and down the halls, my magic rushing ahead and opening the door to Lennox’s room softly, letting me sneak into the dark room with no sound.

Bright blonde hair and a tiny snore instantly soothe my feral magic, calming it enough that I’m finally able to suck in a painful breath as I move to stand over my Pup. Her small body is curled in the center of the bed, lying on her side with her hands resting on the white pillow, cradling her head.

A sound behind me has me turning, baring my teeth like a rabid animal as Nox rushes in behind me, his eyes wide as he takes me in. “Raz. I healed her already. Calm down, brother,” he whispers, stepping forward and reaching for me. I growl low as his hand falls on my shoulder, and he nods. “Yeah, I get it. I need to be next to her, too. Why don't you crawl in with her, and I’ll take the other side? Maybe try to get some sleep?”

I settle a little when I realize he’s not going to force me from the room despite being so out of control, and I look down at my Pup with a frown—the idea of lying next to her isn't a terrible one. I could be there for her if she wakes and needs something. I could protect her if Jesthren comes for her. But then I frown, remembering how it felt to have her in my lap that night in the cave, how soft and warm she was despite how close to the surface my Beastia was. How trusting she had been, placing her life in my hands as she slept, not worried in the slightest, knowing my Beast and I would keep her safe.

No one, not even my brothers, trusted me in that way. Yes, they knew I would keep them safe and have their back in a fight. Hell, I was born with the biological need to ensure nothing ever happened to Nox, but I could always feel their hesitancy to sleep when my Beast was prowling so close to the surface. I know the moment I let myself, I’ll claim her as mine. Bite and bind her to me for eternity. My Beast hums in my chest, prodding me forward, wanting to feel our Pup's soft curves against our body again, and I instantly shake my head. I would not do that without her consent and not while Lennox was in the bed with me.

“I’ll keep watch. You sleep.”

Nox frowns, already toeing off his shoes and yanking his shirt over his head. “You need sleep, Raz.”

I nod in agreement, knowing I needed some sleep, but my need to keep my family safe far exceeded my desire for a couple of hours of rest. I listen as two sets of footsteps race down the hallway, skidding to a stop outside the door. Creed slowly peeks his head in, giving me an apologetic smile, and I take a page out of my Pup’s book and flip him off. Valen shoves him back, moving him out of the way. He glares at me as he moves to the bed and flops beside Pup, snuggling into her back with a relieved sigh.

Nox frowns at Valen and walks around the bed to lie on her other side but stops and looks up at me with a question in his eyes. He wants me to take that spot, offering it to me despite his need to fill it himself. Creed curls up by my Pup's feet, wiggling in next to her and wrapping his arms around her leg. I shake my head and sit in the corner, watching over my Pup and brothers as Nox sighs in disappointment and crawls into bed. A soft meow makes my lips twitch in contentment as my tiny orange monster moves through the room, his angry blue eyes latching on mine, making the hair on his back raise as he hisses at me.

I curl my lips back from my teeth, hissing back, loving my monster’s fighting spirit, and watch as he leaps up on the bed, making Creed curse and stiffen in fear. But my ferocious feline ignores him, electing to lie between my Pup and Nox, his tiny paws kneading the blankets as he finds the perfect spot to curl up and sleep.

“I’ll sleep when Jesthren is dead,” I whisper to myself, the promise lingering in the air as I sit in the dark, letting it soothe the pain from me as I keep the people I care for most safe.