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

FOUR

Meyer

R azar flicks my hands away from my boots as he crouches in front of me with an annoyed sigh, his long fingers lacing my shoes up with a speed I have difficulty following. He’s been quiet all morning, only answering my questions with one-word replies or grunts since I woke in his arms about thirty minutes ago.

“I had it,” I mutter under my breath, earning a disbelieving look as he stands back up, then reaches down and yanks me to my feet. “Jesus! Raz, stop pushing me around. I can get to my feet,” I snap, a little annoyed as my head spins with a small head rush from being moved so quickly.

“Say thank you and get your jacket back on,” he demands, finally giving me a normal response, his voice deep and rough as he turns and heads toward Elaine's body. I swallow the lump in my throat as I stare at where Razar laid her the night before and clear my throat, determined not to cry again.

“I have to use the restroom before we leave,” I whisper as he looks over his shoulder, scowling but nodding in agreement. Quickly, I move to the front of the cave and wince when I walk out into the brilliant morning sunlight. Razar said the storm passed a few hours before I woke up and that we were only an hour's walk away from the castle. Which is good; I don’t think I can handle much more hiking right now. I feel weaker than normal, and I hate it.

Looking around, I spot a few bushes about fifty or so feet from the cave and grimace, hoping it's far enough away so that Razar can't hear me. “Hurry up,” Raz snaps directly behind me, and I squeak in surprise, nearly peeing my pants as I twist on my heel and glare up at him.

“What the hell, Razar?”

“Well, are you going to go or just stare around the mountain like a daft Therion?”

“Not a morning person, I see,” I mutter, stomping toward the bushes but pausing at the soft crunch of snow behind me. Turning, I blink up at Razar in surprise, finding him only a few feet away, following my every footstep.

“What are you doing?” I finally ask when he simply stares at me. His face is set into a mask of frustration as if I’m the problem here, not him.

“You have to use the restroom,” he grinds out in annoyance, and I nod.

“Uh, yeah. Wait your turn if you need to go. Or find your own bush,” I add with a roll of my eyes, gesturing for him to return to the cave. Razar scoffs and crosses his arms over his still-bare and very defined chest. I try not to ogle him, but damn, it’s hard.

All the Regalis brothers are extremely fit and almost beautiful in their own way, but Razar looks like he’s been carved from stone. When he held me against him the night before, there was no cushion to cuddle with, but I could feel an almost magical strength under his skin. At a time when I felt like the world was crumbling, it was precisely what I needed.

“The mountain is not secure, and there are Beastia nearby. Not to mention my fucking brothers,” he rasps, eyes flashing with anger and making me wince. “I’m not letting you go behind a bush and out of my sight, Pup. With your track record, you’ll vanish or somehow hurt yourself.” I cross my arms over my chest and glare back at him, my patience already running thin as he continues to insult me. “I don't trust you enough to leave you alone.”

“How the hell would I manage to get lost when all I need to do is pee behind a tiny bush fifty feet away? You're as dramatic as Lennox, you know that?” I throw back at him, enjoying how his jaw tenses and his glare darkens.

“You would find a way,” he clips. “I don't have time to track you down again; it’s not happening. Now pee so we can get back to the castle. Nox and Creed have probably torn the damn thing down by this point, and I refuse to deal with more angry Seniors than I have to.” I open my mouth to argue my right to privacy just as something moves to our right, the tree branches swaying and making Razar’s head snap in its direction.

A cold wash of dread pools in my stomach as I hold my breath, my eyes scanning the surrounding clearing. Something in my chest tightens, and a wave of darkness fills me as I shiver at the foreign feeling. Shit, that can't be good.

“Back to the cave,” Razar grinds out as he tilts his head to the side, eyes darkening into inky pools of black as his Beastia inches closer to the surface.

I nod, hands fisting at my side as I rush toward him, stepping around his large body as a growl breaks from his lips. My fingers inch toward the blade at my side and Razar sees, his eyes moving to my throwing knife with a pleased dip of his head.

“Stay in the cave and kill anything or anyone who is not me,” he commands, grabbing three more blades and tossing them at me. My eyes widen in shock as I try to catch them, managing to snag two by the hilt while jumping back from the third just before it stabs me in the foot.

“What the—dammit,” I hiss, bending down and snatching the last blade off the ground while shooting Raz an unamused look. He looks down at me, baffled I couldn't catch all three blades, before he shakes his head.

“That will be our next lesson. It was three blades, Pup. That should’ve been easy for you.” His exasperated tone sets my teeth on edge, and I flip him off as an eerily dangerous howl floats through the air, the sound far too close for comfort.

“Um,” I start, hesitating to leave him here alone. I know I’m not a badass killer like him, but I am getting faster and better. If nothing else, I can keep an eye on his back and make sure nothing sneaks up on him.

“No,” he growls, pointing at the cave as I narrow my eyes on him.

“But…”

“You’re still recovering from hypothermia. If you want to do something productive, guard the cave and Elaine’s body,” he orders as his eyes dart to the right and his shoulders begin to tremble. Black needle-like fur pierces through his tanned skin, making blood course down his chest, and I gasp in horror as Razar folds in on himself with a terrifying growl. In the next breath, the enormous black Beastia stands before me. Its soulless eyes rest on me as it bares its teeth, its giant head whipping toward the cave. His anger is palpable in the air, and I nod and step back.

“Fine,” I agree, not wanting to press his Beast too far until I know it better. I quickly sheath the three blades and take a step back just as a shadow moves at my side. I scream in surprise as Razar’s Beastia flies at me, teeth bared, claws extended. Dropping to my knees, I cover my head as Razar jumps over me, snarling in outrage as his big body collides with a smaller gray Beastia that had snuck up behind me. My mouth drops open in shock, trying to figure out how the hell the Beastia managed to sneak up on the both of us like that. Razar’s senses would’ve picked it up long before I would have; however, there was no sense of dread or shiver of excitement that I always get when the monsters are nearby.

Scrambling back to my feet, I manage to jump out of the way as the two Beastia fight, Razar biting its neck as the other one swipes at his side. The two Beastia roll over the ground, the gray one not standing a chance against Razar as he gets under it and rips its throat out with a savage growl. Black, acidic blood covers the ground around the now-dead Beastia as three more monsters stalk into the clearing.

“Shit,” I hiss under my breath, watching the black needles of Razar’s fur stand on end as he slowly places himself between me and the other Beastia. I palm two of the blades, letting the cold steel of the hilts calm me just as a brown-colored Beastia in the middle leaps at Razar, “Stop!” My scream is hoarse, and fear coats my words as the other two Beastia move to surround Razar on either side. No! Absolutely-fucking-not! There is no way in hell I’m letting these bastards hurt him.

Almost like time slows, the Beastia stills, its movements frozen in midair, letting Razar dodge the attack with ease. I gasp as a red light fills my palm, my body singing excitedly as a weird energy explodes down my arms.

Razar’s Beast pauses, watching the now-frozen brown Beastia in shock, before he turns and stares at me for a prolonged moment. I only manage a quick shrug of my shoulders in explanation before the other two Beastia attack.

Razar turns his attention away from me, launching himself at the Beastia, taking one down in seconds before tackling the other. His quick attack surprises the Beastia, making them roar and attack simultaneously. Their movements are precise and in sync with the other, making their attack more challenging for Razar to fight off.

Lifting a blade, I aim at the brown Beastia frozen before me and launch it with as much strength as I can, watching with sick satisfaction as the dark blade sinks into its right eye socket. The Beastia collapses to the ground with a heavy thump, the life bleeding from its other eye as Razar forces the remaining two Beastia back into the trees and far away from me.

Panic swirls in my belly as I watch Razar and the Beastia disappear into the thick foliage of the forest. Their growls and snarls fade with each pounding heartbeat echoing in my ears.

“No, no, no,” I whisper, shifting back and forth on my feet. I’m desperate to rush after Razar, but I know I’ll only get in his way if I do. Cursing, I spin and look into the cave and then back at the trees, ears strained for any clue on what’s happening. One minute passes, then another and another. My body feels like a live wire, ready to explode with soul-crushing anxiety as I start to pace at the front of the cave.

“What the fuck do I do?” I rasp loudly, shaking my hands at my sides while eyeing my palms. There’s no more red glow, the magic fading the moment I killed the Beastia I had frozen.

“Meyer?”

The deep vibrato of the familiar voice has my heart stalling and my stomach lurching as I slowly turn to look at the hulking figure of Jesthren Darakh sprinting through the treeline toward me. His handsome features are twisted into a faux look of concern and relief as he rushes into the small clearing, a smile plastered on his face as he sheaths his massive broadsword at his side.

“Hey! Are you alright? We have been searching for you since last night. Nox and Creed are losing their minds with worry!” His eyes dart from me to the dead Beastia on the ground, and he pauses, his mouth parting in surprise before he shifts even closer to me. “Holy shit. You managed to kill one?” he asks in awe as I step back, my lungs burning with the need to scream as I stare at him.

My eyes sting as I try to reel my chaotic mind in, desperate to remain in control despite the very real danger now smiling down at me. Jesthren’s eyes track my movement, his smile slipping just a fraction as he watches me.

“Meyer? Are you injured? I can help,” he whispers, his voice so soft and fucking convincing that I almost let him reach out and grab my hand when he steps forward again.

“No,” I growl under my breath, hands trembling and knives still clutched tight in my grasp.

“No? You're not injured?” Jesthren asks hesitantly, running a hand through his short-cropped hair as he studies me. “Or no to the help?” he asks with a chuckle, his laugh strained as he quickly closes the distance between us and moves to grab my hand. A dark twist of something warm courses through my blood, heating it with rage as I duck and twist, avoiding his hand and stepping to his side. His eyes widen in surprise when he feels the cold kiss of my blade against his neck, and I release the breath I had been holding, letting it hiss through my teeth.

“No, don’t fucking touch me,” I grind out, then slide the blade across his skin, trying to get to the side of his neck to strike a fatal blow like Nox had taught me weeks ago. Demons have a thick cord of muscle that runs down the center of their throats, making it hard to kill them unless it's from a different angle.

Unfortunately, Jesthren is far faster and stronger than I am and jerks back, my knife managing to cut and draw blood but not do any actual harm. His dark eyes take me in with a feral grin twisting his lips, his large hand moving up and letting his finger swipe through the blood trickling down the column of his neck as he chuckles, the sound no longer friendly. He brings his blood-coated fingers in front of his face and studies them.

“Oh. Well, that's unfortunate. I was hoping to take you without causing any actual injuries,” he says light-heartedly, like the words are a silly joke, and I’ll join in his laughter. Sighing, Jesthren lets his hand fall to the hilt of his sword as I step back and take a deep breath. My heart is racing in my chest while I figure out what to do next. As much as I’ve progressed in my training, I’m not a match against a Demon Prince, especially one of Jesthren’s skill and strength.

“That won't be happening,” I say with an air of confidence I don’t feel. But fuck him. I will not help make this murdering bastard's life any easier. I’ll fight him with every breath I have. I’d rather die than let him take me anyway. I’m pretty sure that fate would be far better than the one he has planned. “You killed my friend,” I whisper, hating how my voice is no longer strong but shaky.

Jesthren’s eyes roam up and down my body, taking in Razar’s oversized shirt I have on as he purses his lips and nods. “I did,” he agrees without a hint of remorse, crossing his thick arms over his chest, making himself look even bigger than before. His black fighting leathers give him an imposing air as he shifts back on his heels, looking more annoyed than anything.

“Why?” I ask, and he grins, the expression making my blood run cold.

“How’d you find out?” he asks, skipping over my question.

“I was there,” I say between clenched teeth, earning an arch of his thick brow as he tsks under his breath.

“No. I would have heard you,” he denies, and I scoff.

“Not if Elaine had cast a spell over me, hiding my presence from you.” Jesthren blinks at me, then closes his eyes as he nods and pinches his nose between his thumb and forefinger.

“Yes, I suppose that would have worked. Well, it looks like we don't have to play around here.” Jesthren extends a hand toward me but makes no move forward. “Come with me willingly, and I will do everything I can not to kill your mates. If you resist, I will kill them in the most painful way possible,” he bargains, eyes alight with glee as if he thinks his words alone will break me. I let out a dark laugh, allowing my expression to match his own as I shake my head.

“Do you actually think that will work?” I ask incredulously. “You won’t let Nox live,” I say, knowing that for a fact.

“You’re right,” he says carefully, nodding at my words, acting way too calm for one demanding my surrender. “I do, however, want to keep my other brothers alive. I care about them and want to ensure they stay alive. I’ll only be able to accomplish this with your surrender, Meyer. If you love them, you will come with me. He won’t allow it any other way. I already tried to sway Razar, and his allegiance to Nox is too strong. You might be able to convince him, though.” There is a pleading to his words, as if he really hopes I can and will convince Razar to betray Lennox, and I stare at him, speechless.

“So you would ask me to sacrifice Lennox?” I ask in horror, and Jesthren frowns.

“One life for the sake of three. It is the only choice here, Meyer. You come and willingly help me, and I’ll spare the ones I can,” he pleads, sorrow in his green eyes as he watches my every move with a calculating gaze.

“And what of my life? Why do you want me?” I ask, needing to know his answer. There is no way in hell I would betray Nox or any of my guys, but I need to try and get as much information as I can while Jesthren is willing to provide it, then pray I survive long enough to pass it along to Lennox.

“I don't. He does,” Jesthren whispers, and I scoff, looking around us for the man he’s speaking of.

“Who?” I ask as I wave a hand in the air, gesturing to the empty space in front of us. There’s no one here.”

“My father.”

“Your… your father? Why would Orcus–”

“Not Orcus. My real father, Meyer. Your grandfather. Inanis. ”