Page 42

CHAPTER 41

T ate doesn’t seem to want to wait for cleanup, and none of us say anything as she gathers the heads, the dagger on display at her side. “Portal. Drop us right before the entrance of Stalkers’ Rest.”

“Are you sure? It will be morning by the time we are there. Drills—” I start.

She eyes me. “I want everyone there to witness this.”

“Let me heal you,” the fae offers.

She shakes her head, standing tall even while covered in blood and guts. “No, I wear them as a warrior’s badges of honour. Let them see what I’m willing to do and take to prove my point. Portal. Stand behind me. I will not let them touch you, but do not make any moves on hunters. Do you understand?”

“Yes, mistress,” Tem replies happily.

I nod while the others offer their agreement, and then the fae summons the portal. It glows and swirls before us, displaying a muted, wobbly vision of Stalkers’ Rest bracketed by the rising sun on the other side. She stares at it for a moment before stepping through, and we follow her.

Our feet hit the path leading up to the closed gate of Stalkers’ Rest. I know the moment they spot us. A shout goes up, and guns are aimed at us. Tate rolls her eyes at the guards. “Tell Commander Vilaran that Tate Havelock is back.”

There’s muttering, and then we wait. She doesn’t move, so neither do we, and five minutes later, the gate slowly opens.

She walks inside like she has no fear, even as guards swarm us, their guns aimed at us. She waits as those training inside all turn, drawn by the commotion.

A crowd begins to form, and whispers spread like wildfire as they jostle to see better. They glance from Tate to the monsters surrounding her.

“What is this, Havelock?” someone yells. “Have you betrayed us?”

“Are you a fucking monster lover now?”

“Kill them and her!”

The crowd starts to scream for blood, and weapons are drawn. She stands tall before it all, one eyebrow arched. “Any man who takes a step towards me before I have spoken to the commander will meet the same fate as those who dared to betray us. Choose your actions and words carefully,” she calls out.

It’s enough to make them hesitate. Everyone knows Tate means what she says. Black might have been the elite’s leader, but Tate? Everyone knew she was his right-hand man—er, woman, and his greatest weapon. She has defeated every hunter here at least once in training. She wouldn’t be able to take them all when they are together like this, not alone, but her confidence is enough to make them waver.

The crowd parts, and Shamus barges through until he stands at the front. For a moment, I see his eyes soften in relief before he masks it. He was so worried when I appeared and demanded to know how to kill ghouls, but as soon as I mentioned Tate was in trouble, he moved. He made a deal with an old foe to get her that blade and paid the price dearly, even as he swore me to secrecy.

Does she know just what Shamus is willing to do for her?

She still thinks of him as an enemy, but he has always been on her side. There is no one here he would betray his cause and his people for bar her. His hands move to his weapons ever so gently, making it look casual, but I know differently. He’s preparing in case he needs to defend her.

“Angel,” he calls, and the crowd falls silent, all waiting with bated breath. “You’re back. I take it your mission was a success?”

Clever Shamus. With one sentence, he’s letting them all know she’s still on their side and that he sent her. The fact that he’s not reacting to those behind her seems to unsettle and confuse the hunters, but none are brazen enough to question the commander—not in his own nest.

“You could say that.” Her voice carries, and I sense a bit of magical intervention. When I glance back, I see Jarek’s fingers moving at his sides before he winks at me. It’s not only Shamus who has her back.

A whole army stands before her, but there’s an unstoppable force right behind her that could wipe them out without even breaking a sweat if they so much as blinked at her wrong. Does she understand the level of devotion she inspires?

All my life, I’ve followed Shamus, but we both know if he asked me to choose now, I’d choose her.

I’d remain at her side until she could join me in this form.

She lifts the heads in her hands, and gasps ring out. Smirking, she tosses them at Shamus’s feet, and everyone watches as they roll with a sickening sucking sound before stopping. The faces of her team are evident, their eyes still black and skin covered in inky veins.

She eyes the hunters like she’s preparing for war, and they eye her like she’s now the enemy.

This could get bad very quickly.

“My mission was a success. Major Black and his team have been cleansed from this world for their crimes.” A roar of anger begins, and she waits for it to quieten, not the least bit intimidated. “Look at what your great major has turned into and look closely. He is not a human. He is a monster.” She narrows her gaze on the crowd.

“We all know of his deeds, though few speak of them, but the time is now. There will be no more secrets, hidden hunts, or killing innocents. Let their deaths be a warning to you all. Everything will be done by the rules now. We hunt monsters, not innocents!” she roars, and I see their nervous expressions. “We do not hunt innocents of any race,” she carries on, tilting her head back. “And to ensure it stays that way, I will hunt down any man or woman who has ever or will ever touch an innocent. Your secrets are not safe from me. I will find them, and you will pay. This is your only warning.” She looks to Shamus. “This is your house, Commander Vilaran, and your people, but I will not let it happen anymore. You wanted me to do this, but I’m doing this my way. I will cleanse the hunters of those who give us a bad name. I will remake us into what we once were. I swear that on my soul, and anyone who gets in my way will face my wrath.”

There’s a moment of silence before all hell breaks loose. “Commander!”

“Commander!”

“What does this mean?”

“Commander, what are your orders?”

Everyone looks to Shamus for answers, and Tate waits, her eyes daring Shamus to betray her and say she speaks alone.

I know he won’t, but it surprises me when he steps forward, holding his hand in the air to silence everyone. He never once looks away from her, nor does he speak as he covers the distance between them. When he is level with Tate, he kneels before her, his arm over his chest in a hunter promise.

Commander Vilaran has never kneeled to anyone, not even death, yet he kneels to her.

It gives them all the answer they need to know.

He supports her.

He follows her.

He trusts her.

Either they will as well or they will leave before she finds their truths.

I have never been prouder of my friend.

He would stand against his own people, his own purpose, for her.

We remain silent until we reach Shamus’s office, and once the door is shut, we all relax, all except Tate who paces before him. The fae is stretched out on the sofa like he owns the place, and he swiftly falls asleep. Jarek looks over the books. Addeus is staring out of the window, no doubt looking into the security software in this room without even touching it. Fang and Tem stand at my side while Shamus leans into his desk, watching her pace before he grows bored.

“Why did you do that?” she asks when he steps into her path and stops her.

“It was the only way to defuse the situation. It would have ended in you slaughtering them all if not.” He shrugs casually, as if him kneeling before anyone isn’t a big deal. She could have killed him while he was unprotected, but he trusted her not to.

“So you did it to smooth things over?” she mutters, crossing her arms.

His smile is crooked and knowing. “I did it because it was the truth, but that was a bonus. They see their commander kneeling to you then they trust you. They understand I will support you and will not go against you—not openly at least. I also did it for you, Tate.” He reaches over and uncrosses her arms as she narrows her eyes on him. Neither of them like to back down, and it’s always entertaining when they clash.

“For me?” she repeats.

“Yes, you were questioning my loyalty after the reminder of those who have betrayed you. I will not allow that. If I have to kneel for you to understand that I will always be by your side, then I will.” Her eyes flare, and he steps closer, gripping her chin as his head lowers, and I want to squeal and cheer for them.

Why would I not want my best friend and the love of my life to be happy? There’s no need for jealousy, not here.

“You can make up your own reasons, but the truth, angel? I have had your back since day one and you know it. I will never betray you or leave you. I would carve out my own heart before I let anyone else hurt you. I have and will give my life for yours. This place grew because of me, but it was made for you. I’ve been reborn many times, but this is the only life I care about. You are what I care about.”

She’s quiet as she searches his eyes for answers. He remains still, letting her read everything on his face.

I feel like I should look away, like I’m intruding on their personal moment, but I also feel like I should have popcorn so I can watch them.

Fang leans into me and Tem. “Is it just me, or do those two need to fuck already? I could cut their sexual tension with a knife.”

Both Tate’s and Shamus’s heads jerk around. Shamus grins, and Tate looks annoyed.

“Oops,” Fang whispers as Tem and I chuckle.

The moment is broken, however, and she pushes Shamus away. “Whatever reason you did it, it worked. They won’t come for my head for a little while. That buys me some time. I meant what I said, Shamus. My revenge is over, but this is just the beginning. You were right. We need to clear up the hunters before we are too far gone and the monsters stand up to us. We need to stop a war before it begins. Your actions will prove if you’re telling the truth or not.”

He grins. “Then we’ll see.”

She nods and turns away, but he catches her arm.

“Are you okay? Not just physically, you’ve been through a lot?—”

She tugs her arm free, her face cold. It’s Tate’s go-to mask when she is trying to cover how she feels. “Never better.”

He leans in, and I only hear his words because I’m close when he whispers, “Liar, angel, such a liar, but I’ll pretend I believe you for now.” He lets her go and heads back to his desk.

She watches him for a moment before turning to us. “We’ll take the elites’ old floor since it’s the most secure and away from everyone.” She opens the door and slips out, and we have no choice but to follow.