“Good. Because you’ll need more than just yourself to challenge me.” Freja’s deadly glare didn’t alter as she held it on the woman. The woman didn’t flinch. Instead, a smile curled up over her lips.
“I think I like you. Hopefully I don’t have to kill you later.” The woman then relaxed her stance. “My name is Irene. And who are all of you?” Her eyes flashed over everyone.
They went through the introductions, ending with Jester. “I’m the king's brother, Jester. I’ve been away for a while. I’m sure you have heard of me.”
Irene nodded slightly.
“You don’t know each other?” Ciana asked.
“No, I only came here about a decade ago.” Irene averted her gaze from Jester and looked back at Freja. “You’re good to be able to notice me. Very good. Most can’t find my presence once I’ve hidden it.”
Freja smiled. “Those who work as assassins and hunters have to be stealthy.”
Irene’s eyes flickered as she nodded in understanding.
Freja looked over at Jester, whose eyes hadn't left Irene. He was following her every movement with intense interest.
“I’ll escort you to the King,” Irene finally said as she turned around.
Freja smiled. She could sense the awkwardness of this girl. She wasn’t used to being around others, much like how she used to be. She wondered if something tragic led her down this road or if it was something she chose.
“We want to visit the human village for a moment. We just want to see how they like living here,” Ciana spoke up as Irene stopped to look at her.
“And if they hate their lives? What do you intend to do about it?” Her cold gaze landed on Ciana.
Freja smirked and took a step away from Hunter, directing Irene’s attention to her. “I think you already know what we’ll do about it.”
Irene moved her gaze over Freja, then Hunter, Chasen, Jin and Ciana. She studied each person, analyzing their strength. She finished her pass at Jester, sighing. They were a strong group. If they decided to fight, she couldn’t win against them. She then looked back at Freja. A deadly aura clung to this girl,and the raw energy radiating from her promised she could back it up. She finally shrugged. “I think you’ll find that they love their life here. But you are welcome to assess that for yourself.”
They followed Irene in silence until a village came into view. She walked up to the entrance, nodding to the others. “Go ahead and check it out.”
The group all walked into the town, greeting the different people. All except one. Jester stayed with Irene, who was standing outside the village. He turned, and his amber eyes met her blue ones.
“We need to talk.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Ciana walked around, greeting the people who were out and about. Chasen kept Jin close, otherwise she’d be bouncing around the people as well. Everyone they talked to was very happy. They didn’t look at their relationship with the vampires as a burden or a hindrance. To them, they were close friends and family. Some were even mated to vampires.
Freja and Hunter spoke to a few children who were running around and playing. The children talked about how awesome the vampires were and how they always brought them back cool toys and treats.
“What about when they bite you guys?” Freja asked with a frown. The one little girl shook her head.
“They never feed on any of the kids. We have to be at least eighteen, and even then we have to give consent. I can’t wait until I’m old enough.”
Freja’s eyes widened. “You want someone to feed off of you?”
“Sure, why not? Who knows … maybe I have a vampire husband out there.” The little girl grinned and took off running toward some other kids.
“I hate to admit it, but they all seem … happy,” Freja whispered as she looked over the place.
“No one seems to be kept here against their will. They even talk about how they travel and leave all the time. I guess this is just the way of life they chose. It does keep them protected.” Hunter shrugged. If this was what they wanted, then who was he to intervene? He turned his head and looked behind him. “What do you think that’s about?”
Freja followed Hunter’s gaze to Jester and Irene. The two were talking at the edge of the village. It seemed to be a serious discussion, but they didn’t appear to be arguing.
“He’s probably asking how his brother has been. He hasn’t seen him in a while. I’m sure he’s curious about how things have been here.” Freja brushed it off. She trusted Jester, so whatever the conversation was, it was his business.
Hunter looked over the village. “We haven’t had any run-ins with the vampires. I can’t remember my father even talking about fighting with them. It seems things have really changed around here, from the stories we’ve been told.” At one point, he would have looked at this like the vampires keeping cattle, the people being their livestock. But it wasn’t the case. From what he could tell, the vampires cared for them and took care of them, and some even loved members of the other species. It was just another type of partnership. If this was the type of environment the King and Queen of the vampires had created, then maybe forming an alliance with them was not far off. A truce between the werewolves and the vampires would help solidify a peaceful life for both species.
