Page 9 of A Seduction Of Death (Umbra Hunters #4)

NINE

Meyer

T he cold whip of the wind blows strands of my blonde hair around my face as I stand in front of an enormous pyre, watching my best friend as he holds his twin sister protectively in his arms. The fires on the top of the frosted gray stone walls burn with golden hues, the embers floating like fireflies above us. Their light casts a comforting glow on us as dusk settles over the snow-covered mountain, the sunset lighting the sky aflame with red and pink clouds—a rare, beautiful evening for Elaine's funeral.

I quickly look at the man above us, standing at attention on top of the wall, protecting everyone as he observes from afar. The hood of a new cloak covers Razar’s long black hair, which Victor gifted to him last night. I’m unsure if Razar liked the gift or felt uncomfortable with it. Still, he accepted it all the same, dipping his head in a silent thanks to the Senior of the Drakos bloodline before donning it and immediately melting back into the shadows where he’s most comfortable.

The Russian Hunters are scattered across the wall perimeter, all looking at Razar and their Senior, who stands only a few feet from him. Her hand rests on the hilt of her long sword as she studies the land beyond the walls, protecting the grieving Hunters within, as her long black hair streaked with silver whips around her gracefully aged face. Senior Regalis, the Russian head Senior, strides across the wall with an air of authority that demands attention as the cry of her Russian Raptor, the bird that looks more like a miniature dragon than an actual bird, sounds above.

Movement to my right catches my attention, and I watch as Valen shifts closer to my side. His long fingers, which are still colored with a hint of pale gray, wrap around my own, tightening until his grip is almost painful as he glares at anyone who gets too close. Well, besides his brothers and my friends. Somehow, Theo and Jordan have wiggled their way into our unusual, patched-together family. I mean, they’ve been a part of mine from that first day of training, but watching as my guys helped take care of Theo, Jordan, and Cali over these last three days has warmed my heart, helping ease the pain of Elaine’s passing, if only a little.

Valen’s eyes scan the area, moving from me to Nox, then over to Creed standing on Nox’s left before finally moving to Raz. He nods to himself, almost like he’s made a mental checklist of the people he cares about, and is pleased to see them all safe and nearby. His attention moves to Victor, shoulders rolling back as he stands tall, chin tilted up, white hair gleaming with the gold of the fire, looking every inch a Royal Demon Prince.

Out of all my guys, Valen has handled Elaine’s death the best. He hadn't known her for long and didn't have the time to cultivate a friendship with Elaine like the others. After I managed to calm him down after he revealed Jesthren's betrayal, he helped out, mainly with Creed, who bounced between grief and outright rage. However, no one has mentioned Jesthren since the morning we all woke up in Jordan's room, which has worried me more than I’m willing to admit.

We’ve all agreed to focus on Elaine and her funeral, then move on to the other pressing matters. I know it's been eating Razar to do this; he’s become restless, sparring out in the open with his brothers and kicking the shit out of Creed and Valen in hand-to-hand combat. It helped release some of his frustration, but I saw him sneak out of the castle last night, watched as he shifted into his black Beastia, and disappeared into the night. I stayed up, waiting for him to come home, unable to find sleep until I knew he was back safely under the same roof as the rest of us.

He was covered in blood and had a fresh wound on his side that he tried to cover up when he found me waiting on the step for him. His narrowed glare stayed on my face despite the hand he held out for me to grab as he helped me to my feet, and we walked back to Lennox’s room in calm silence. It's been an odd development between us. I wouldn't say we’re as close as I am with my other guys yet… but he’s no longer trying to pick a fight and seems comfortable enough to be in my presence.

“Ranger Drakos?” Victor’s voice startles me back to the somber moment. I wipe at the tears streaming down my face as Victor grabs the elaborately carved torch and slowly walks over to Theo and Cali, a concerned frown puckered on his brow as he holds it out for my friend to take. I feel Lennox stiffen as Theo’s arms drop from around Cali, his face pale, and his hand shakes as he takes the torch from Victor, its flame flickering in the soft breeze.

Lennox’s big, warm hand rests on my hip, his arm curled around me as he bows his head, refusing to look at Elaine. His eyes are dry, but his jaw is tense, and I can feel him practically vibrate with anger and sadness. Creed's shoulders tremble as he watches Victor pass Theo the flame. As the newly appointed Senior in charge of the North American Castle, it had fallen on Victor’s shoulders to address every single Ranger and Hunter who resided there. The six Bloodlines stand in formation, dressed in their distinguished colors, their arms behind their backs, standing at attention for the late head of their Seniorem one final time.

I hold my breath and watch as Theo squares his shoulders and swallows hard, his throat bobbing with the effort it takes to push down the pain he must be feeling as he approaches his mother's pyre. A heartbreaking sob falls from Cali’s lips, and Jordan is quick to step forward from where he was standing guard over her and Theo, wrapping his arm around her when her legs threaten to give way.

The last two days have been both mentally and physically exhausting. After Theo left to locate his sister, the plans for Elaine's funeral were made. Jordan planned the majority of it because the twins hadn’t been able to agree on what to do. Cali wanted her mother's body buried, and Theo wanted a traditional burial for all blooded Umbra Hunters. When Jordan pointed out that Elaine would want the traditional burial, Cali reluctantly relented.

Victor had remained by the twins’ side, a constant shadow of comfort for the two. I hadn’t realized Cali knew Victor before coming to the castle. However, Jordan told me that when Elaine was forced to send Cali away because of her Fracti status, Victor had helped care for her. He had become an almost father figure to the young girl, checking in on and ensuring her safety since Elaine had been kept up here, practically a captive under her late husband and her father’s rule.

The courtyard stills as Theo approaches Elaine and bows his head before placing the flames to the pyre, the dry kindling erupting in brilliant flames in seconds. At the sight, Cali crumples in front of us, forcing Jordan to wrap both arms around her to keep her upright as she cries. I watch as the flames grow, and Victor places a steady hand on Theo's shoulders, the two of them watching, devastation evident in their eyes.

I wish I could go to Theo and help; I know he didn't want to stay and watch his mother's body burn. He had voiced as much the night before, saying the sight of it might kill him, despite knowing the pyre is what his mom would’ve wanted. But as Elaine's Heir, I knew he would stay at her side until the end, pretending to be okay as he is forced to watch with Victor, who would rule in his place until Theo graduated and became a full-blooded Umbra Hunter, at his side.

“Fuck,” Nox rasps, hands tightening on me as he shifts on his feet. Our mate bond stirs in my chest, something I’m still trying to get used to. I’m pretty sure he’s trying to block the pain he feels coming from my friends to protect me from it. Almost as if he can sense the pain himself. Valen murmurs a few words which capture my attention just as light green magic dances around his fingers.

A collective gasp fills the air as the flames now covering the pyre move from their golden yellow and orange hues to an almost emerald color, sparks of green swirling in the air as the entire pyre glows. The breeze stirs around us, making the fire glow so bright that I wince, the light almost too much to witness. In a beautiful vision of green and gold, the pyre erupts into sparks, drifting into the breeze and disappearing into the sunset.

Glancing up at my Dream Man, I watch as he keeps his attention on Theo and Cali and can't help but fall in love with him all the more as he saves my friends the fate of having to watch their mother’s body burn. Nox gives Valen a grateful nod as his shoulders finally relax while the rest of the Hunters stare at my men in awe.

“Dismissed for the evening. Report back to your Bloodline Seniors in the morning,” Victor finally says, voice firm as he stares at Valen, giving him a slight dip of his head in thanks as he walks over to Jordan and gathers Cali from my friend's arms. “Let's get you some dinner,” he rasps, leading her up the castle stairs.

“Thank you, Valen,” Theo whispers as he walks back to our small group, eyes on my Dream Man, a grateful look clear on his face as he stands straight, refusing to look weak in front of the other Bloodlines. The sight pisses me off, not because he’s trying to stay strong, but because he feels like he has to pretend that he’s unaffected in the face of death. I fucking hate the Hunters and their ways at times.

Valen releases my hand, patting Theo’s shoulder and nodding before whispering something I can't hear in his ear. Theo’s lips roll together, and he gives Valen a sad smile as Valen moves forward, closing the short distance between him and Jordan. “Go take care of your man,” he whispers, shoving him towards Theo, making Jordan’s eyes widen as he stares at the Demon Prince in shock. I smile at that, then squeak in surprise when Valen turns and scoops me into his arms and holds me close, his nose pressed to my hair.

“W-what are you doing?” I demand, twisting in his arms so I can watch as Jordan squares his shoulders, determination set on his young, handsome face as he strides toward Theo. Suddenly, a broad chest disrupts my view, and I glare up at Nox’s amused expression as he grabs Creed and forces him to follow us.

“No, wait! It's just getting good. Those two are killing me with their back-and-forth bullshit. I need closure!” Creed complains as I try to wiggle out of Valen’s arms.

“Valen! I want to see what happens,” I complain, agreeing with Creed as Nox smirks, tugging an equally curious Creed along with him.

“That's not our business. They need some time without our drama to fix things. So let's give it to them,” Valen chides, making me frown as I see Creed look over his shoulder and chuckle as he watches whatever is happening with my friends.

“But they need someone to watch their backs! Some of the older Hunters are still stuck in their ways. Gay men aren't tolerated in the ranks,” I whisper in anger, eyes scanning the small amount of the courtyard I can see from my perch in Valen’s arms, trying to find anyone who might be a threat to my friends.

“That's fucking bullshit and has been remedied,” Nox growls, his anger burning in his eyes as he looks around himself. “Besides, why do you think Raz isn't with us? I wouldn't leave the boys unprotected,” he scoffs, raising a thick brow when I sigh and nod.

“Yeah. Great plan, Nox. Leave the love birds with the man who can't handle the sight or feelings of love,” Creed scoffs. Nox nods and grins, peeking over his shoulder at Theo and Jordan as we climb the stairs, moving into the warmth of the castle.

“Precisely. It’ll give them the privacy they need since he won’t want to watch them, plus handle any problem with Hunters who may be a threat to the boys.”

“Raz won't simply handle the problem. He’ll kill anyone with bad intentions toward them. It’ll be a bloodbath,” Valen points out, and Nox’s grin grows, his teeth sharpening, turning his expression into something truly terrifying.

“Exactly. Homophobia is no longer tolerated in the castle. If someone is stupid enough to even look at those boys the wrong way, Razar has been permitted to end them.” I blink at Nox in surprise, a smile tugging at my lips at the fierce protection of his words.

“Won't that cause problems with the other Hunters? What about Victor?” It's not that I really care, but I would hate to bring Theo and Jordan any added stress right now.

“It was Victor who approached me about the idea, though he wasn't as…” Nox tilts his head to the side as he tries to say the right word. “Bloodthirsty about it. He sees those boys as his sons and agreed to my terms when I countered his offer with one of my own.”

“You can't just go around and kill anyone you want when they make you mad, Nox,” Creed points out, and Nox snorts.

“Of course I can if they have given me a reason. Meyer has decided those boys are her family, which means we just gained two little brothers. Why wouldn't we kill someone for being a threat to them? Besides, Razar already agreed.” Nox shrugs as I stare at him in shock, at a loss for words. Creed purses his lips and studies Nox.

“Fair,” Creed finally says with a shrug of his shoulders, nodding as if everything Nox said made perfect sense.

“Those poor kids have no idea what they're in for if you two decide to make them ‘little brothers.’ You should probably ask if they're okay with the idea before you claim them. Nobody should be forced to put up with your shit without a choice,” Valen chuckles, shooting them an amused look as he leads us up the stairs and toward the Ranger Barracks.

“I didn’t get a choice,” Nox says with a scowl.

“You were born into the family, Lennox,” Creed points out. “That’s different.”

“So? They’re Meyer’s family. If they choose to leave, it would hurt her, and then I’d have to kill them. They don't get a choice.” Nox crosses his arms over his chest, and I laugh softly at his annoyed look.

“You just don’t want to be the youngest brother anymore,” Valen teases, earning a dark glower from Nox as we move through the snowy passage to the barracks. Just as he moves to open the door, a deep horn sounds through the air, making everyone freeze. Nox’s head whips in the direction of the far-off sound, his eyes narrowing on the darkening night sky. Only traces of gold are left in the western sky, the sun long gone and the winter night's chill setting in full force. But it's not the gold hue that catches our attention; it's the silvery glow to the north.

“Valen?” Nox asks, hand on the hilt of the sword he has strapped to his waist. My eyes bounce back to Valen, watching as his eyes go unfocused before he curses and spins on his heel, rushing back to the castle.

“What?” I ask, fear lodging itself in my throat.

“Get the castle prepared and gather the Seniors. We are about to have company!” Valen calls over his shoulder to Nox and Creed, who rush to follow us.

“What, who?” Creed asks.

“Aww, fuck,” Nox grumbles, obviously figuring out whoever it is as he casts one last look at the silvery color before following Valen and me back into the castle.

“When you sent word home, what did you say?” Valen asks, ignoring Creed, and Nox winces.

“I told him the truth. What do you think? Jesthren is now a threat, and he needs to clean house in order to keep Mom safe!” Valen sighs but nods as we run down the stairs way too fast for my liking.

“What? Will you two stop speaking in riddles and tell us what the hell is going on?” Creed snaps, and I nod, looking from Nox to Valen as we rush into the castle's long entry.

“Father has decided to pay us a visit,” Valen says, turning and looking up to where Victor is making a mad dash down the stairs, intense eyes locked on us.

“Tell me that's a friend of yours. We’re not ready for an attack,” Victor growls as Nox steps forward, waving off Victor's look of concern.

“Something like that. Get the castle and Hunters prepared. King Orcus is here.”