Page 26 of A Seduction Of Death (Umbra Hunters #4)

TWENTY-SIX

Creed

S enior Regalis stares ahead, her Hunters in formation and armed to the teeth with so many weapons that even I get a little excited to see them all. Damn, why hadn’t we called the Russians in sooner? They could have been extremely helpful during the other fights and overthrowing the North American Seniorem.

“Creed!” Nox bellows from across the courtyard, his ax on his shoulder as he rushes over to me. “Come out on Father's signal, but not before. We want to see if we can drive them back, kill them, or coax Jesthren out from wherever he is without using any Rangers or Hunters.”

“Okay,” I agree, watching Father's hand release the castle, the glowing symbols alight with so much magic it’s almost too hard to look at them in the light of day. Nox grunts as he nods and moves toward the gates, but I reach out and place my hand on his shoulder to stop him. “Nox. Why is he attacking? It doesn't make sense. We’re missing something here. This isn't an actual attack but a distraction. Do you truly believe Jes would send in a small army of Wraiths and Beastia, allow us to see them and prepare our Hunters, plus have the time to allow Father to strengthen the wards?” I hiss down at him, and he frowns and shakes his head.

“No, I don't. But we have no other option here, Creed. Valen is guarding Arch, just in case it’s him that Jes is after and Raz has Meyer. But we’ve been two steps behind Jes from the beginning, so I doubt he’s here for either of them. We can only play his game, and I hope we don't lose in the meantime.”

“That’s a losing strategy,” I point out, hating all the unknown factors in our lives.

“It is, but until we have more information, it's all we can do. Let's be grateful Father is here for this fight and see what we can discover in order to prevent the next one,” Nox suggests, and I nod, resisting the need to lash out at him as he strides away, heading toward the slow-moving gates that creek open on loud rusty hinges.

This isn’t Nox’s fault. It’s Jesthren’s, yet the need to fight, to spill blood in revenge for what has happened, almost overwhelms me. The courtyard quiets as Father moves to the front of his guard, the polished silver of his crown glinting in the sunlight as he looks over his men. Each of them is dressed in black, signaling they belong to the royal house of Versipellis; each has their weapon in their right hand and shield in their left as they wait for their king's orders.

“Move out. Stay in formation and do not attack unless I give the order myself. Am I understood?” Father commands. His guards dip their heads as they step forward, moving around Nox and through the gates. Father looks up at me and nods, ensuring I know what to do. I glare back at him, making his lips twitch, though there is no smile. He wouldn’t show such emotion in front of everyone, but he knows I hate that I’m stuck here waiting rather than going out to fight.

Father moves out, quickly getting to the front of his guard as Nox follows behind, protecting their backs. The moment they move through the gates, they immediately swing shut, and I take a deep breath, trying to control the need for blood that courses through me.

“He’s not on his horse,” Senior Regalis comments, her brow furrowing as she watches the Demons move.

“King Orcus doesn't ride a horse. His Beast will meet him on the field when summoned,” I respond with a wicked grin.

“Seniors,” Victor greets, dipping his head toward Senior Regalis and me before he frowns. “Uh, I’m just going to call you Creed since you both have the same title. That could get confusing,” he grumbles, rubbing his big hand on the back of his neck as he gives Senior Regalis a slight smile that she returns.

“I have already asked you to use my given name, Senior Drakos,” she replies, and Victor nods, moving his horse closer to us as he looks over the crowd of Rangers and Hunters.

“Yes, and I believe I’ve asked the same of you, Ma’am,” he points out, and Senior Regalis shrugs, her eyes moving over Victor with a calculating look.

“We take our given names seriously in Russia. I know they are more widely used now; however, we like tradition.” Her long black braid streaked with silver hangs down her back as she glances over her well-trained Hunters. “And with the return of Demons,” she adds, giving me a look that makes me think she’s not convinced I won’t steal her name and use it to further my magical capability. “I feel as if we should teach our Rangers the old ways. Names have been sacred and protected for over a century. Taught by that boy's father,” she nods at me, and I almost snort in amusement at her calling me a boy since I’m several decades older than her. “To our ancestors. His return should only prove the need to reestablish the old ways, not change them.”

“We won’t steal any Hunter's names,” I reassure her, then wince as I remember whose name I’m currently using and refusing to give up. “Uh, well, any more names. The men we harvested the names from were not men of worth. They were determined to help overthrow the North American Castle and reconstruct the reigning Seniorem’s into one unit, ruled by them and Senior Axford,” I explain, and Victor’s face darkens with the mention of the previous Senior’s name.

“And I believe you, though, I’m unsure I will grant you permission to use my name,” she says, voice strong and not the least chagrin when I give her an amused look.

“That right is yours to give, and a smart one at that. Demons love power; we crave it and search for it when it’s needed. But I can give you my word: no harm will come to you or any Hunter here from our hands. Orcus is here to right the balance that has been disturbed, restore order, and flush out the traitors among us. We will return to our realm once peace has been restored to your ranks.”

“What of Meyer?” Victor asks, and I frown, looking at him.

“Meyer?”

“Yes, what happens when you return? She is a Hunter,” Victor points out, and I shake my head, already knowing where he’s going with this conversation. “Shouldn't she stay with her people?”

“Meyer is a Demon,” I correct, watching as Victor and even Senior Regalis glare at me. “She has mixed blood, but is a Demon all the same. She is my mate and the crown Princess of Versipellis. She will return with us; there is no debate on that subject,” I manage to get out, keeping the possessive growl from my words as I almost snap the leather reins I hold in my hands.

“Theo won’t like that,” Victor whispers, looking more concerned about the ‘ Meyer not staying with the Hunters’ subject than he has the right to. I grind my teeth as guilt slams through me, and I know as I try to calm myself that I’m wrong.

Theo is Victor's son, even if they're not blood-related. I can see the love he holds for that boy and Cali plain as day, and I know he’s only concerned for him. And if Meyer leaves, that will affect the boy, probably more than even I’m prepared to admit. Victor does have a right to be concerned for Theo. However, it won't change the reality that Meyer is a Demon. Hell, she came up to this castle as the weakest Hunter and, now, with how things are progressing, she’ll be a stronger Demonic magic user than me and maybe even Razar.

“Theo may visit whenever he wishes. He’s a part of Meyer’s royal court, after all. So it would be odd not to have him there at times. Besides, Meyer will kill us all if we try to keep Theo and Jordan away from her,” I say with a wave of my hand, making Victor blanch, the color draining from his face as he stares at me.

“I beg your pardon? Theo is what?!” he growls, all concern gone and replaced with outrage.

“Yeah. Well, this was all before everything happened. I don't think Nox knew he was allowing the new Senior of the North American Seniorem to be our mate's new lady in waiting,” I tell him, and Senior Regalis chuckles, the laugh sounding hoarse from her lips.

“Lady in waiting? Best be keeping that from the Hunters, or your boy will never have the respect needed to control these Hunters,” she says with a jerk of her head as we all look around us.

“Those Hunters will respect my boy no matter what title he holds,” Victor snaps back, making Senior Regalis’ lips turn up in amusement, and she nods.

“Of course. With someone like you guarding his back, they would be stupid not to.”

“Theo doesn’t need someone to guard his back. I think you forget who raised him.” I watch Victor as his face turns an almost purple shade, and I frown.

Shit, this guy probably needs some bloodshed and a good fight more than I do right now. To be honest, I’m not sure how he’s functioning. If I were in his place… If I had lost the woman I loved…

Pain instantly strikes me at just the thought, and I swallow hard, shoving the lump of emotions down as I look up at the wall, trying to see my girl. I frown when all I see are Hunters. Raz probably has her stashed in a corner, keeping her safe.

“Of course. I apologize, Senior Drakos. I meant no disrespect. Elaine Drakos was the best Senior the North American division of Hunters has had in decades. Even with her short reign, it was far better than any man before her. I’m excited to see what her son will do as he grows into the role,” Senior Regalis says, her voice calm and her eyes softening when she sees Victor's pain.

Victor’s horse paws at the ground as the big Hunter nods but doesn’t say anything else, our trio falling into an awkward silence as we anxiously wait for Father to summon us if need be. Senior Regalis’ horse shifts on its hind legs, snorting and tossing its head as my horse moves, sidestepping anxiously and making me frown.

“What the hell?” I whisper just as the ground shakes. The castle's softening glow from Father and Valen’s magic, which had previously been settling, grows, the green shade deepening into black with sparks of red.

“Is that the signal?” Victor asks, eyes scanning the crowd as Theo runs forward, big sword in hand, and tosses it to Victor, who gestures for him to get to his horse.

“Nope!” I call back, looking around, trying to figure out what’s happening. With Jes running the show, it honestly could be anything from a surprise attack from the inside to some kind of mental shield that has the potential to take down our first line of defense. I’ve been trying to brace myself, knowing that this sham of an attack was a facade for whatever he has planned. But what I’m not prepared for is the sound of beating wings above me and the deep echoing roar that explodes across the sky as a large dark shadow blocks out the sun.

I freeze, my mouth agape as all the symbols on the castle turn blood-red and magic sparks from the stones. Another roar only confirms my thoughts, turning my blood to ice as I look up at the enormous, blue-scaled, fire-breathing beast Jesthren must have summoned from the Demonic realm and internally groan. I look around for Valen, knowing he’s the only one who will be able to handle this, and curse when I can’t find him.

Well, shit. That’s not good.