“Friendship.” Jester smiled. “I know you always ignored this, but we are indeed friends. I wouldn’t allow just anyone to come into my territory. You were different. And regardless of you having a mate, I want us to remain friends.”
“Even if I end up fighting in the upcoming war against the demons?” Freja watched his eyes flicker a bit.
“You are going to involve yourself in the war to come?”
“I am. I’ve already made a blood vow to the dark priestess. Which is another reason I’m here. She asked me to bring her back something. A black pearl. Do you have it? And could I have it?” Freja looked hopefully at Jester and bit her inner lip.
“Wow. Getting involved with Kali. I never expected that from you. I’m also a follower of yin. Yes, I have the black pearl. I will give it to you on one condition.” Jester smiled as he looked at Freja. “That one, you acknowledge our friendship, and two, you invite me to meet your mate sometime soon. I want to make sure he’s someone I can trust with you.”
Freja smiled and nodded. “I can do that … well, the first part for sure. I’m hoping I can with the second part, though.”She watched his face tilt as he looked at her in confusion. “The witches, the ones who cursed me … they injected him with a blood potion. He now looks at me like I’m the enemy.” Freja sighed and shrugged. “That’s why I made the deal with Kali. She’s the only one who has the answers I need.”
Jester nodded his head. “I understand. If anyone knows, it’s Kali, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. A blood potion permanently changes the blood. I don’t know if that can ever be reversed. I’m sorry to hear you’re going through this. Truly I am. But what you just said reminded me … what happened to your curse? It’s gone.”
Freja smiled. “The fairy princess cured me.”
“Well, look at you, making friends in high places.” Jester chuckled lightly.
“You have no idea.” Freja rubbed her arm and smiled softly.
“Well, as your friend, why don’t you enlighten me?” Jester grinned and shrugged. He started walking back to his place as she followed at his side.
“It’s actually a long story, but I will give you some of the basic details. Like my mate is part fairy and part werewolf. His mother is the queen of the fairies. And he is also the Werewolf King, which I’m guessing is how he was able to turn me into a werewolf.”
Freja looked over at Jester from the corner of her eyes. Why was she telling him all of this? She was never this talkative with him before. She really had changed. She was actually accepting his friendship, the one she refused to admit to having before. It was something she was now able to recognize.
“Wow, the King of the Werewolves has finally made his appearance. It is said that the Werewolf King will lead the werewolves into prosperity.” Jester watched as Freja looked up at him with interest. “Didn’t think I knew much about werewolves, did you?” He chuckled. “When you’ve been alive aslong as me, you make it your business to learn about as much as possible. Just like the impending demon war. There is more to this war than what meets the eye. This war is just the beginning of something bigger.” That was as much as he planned to say about that.
“You aren’t going to elaborate?” Freja gave him a crooked smile.
“No. I don’t think I will.” Jester winked at her, and she shook her head and sighed.
They reached an area in the woods where the ground was covered in colorful mushrooms, with a small pool in the middle where the water was completely still. Jester walked up to it and reached deep into the water, pulling out something in his hand. He walked over and placed the item into Freja’s fingers.
She looked down at the small black round object. She was surprised that it was warm to the touch. She looked up at Jester in confusion.
“That water was to keep the pearl cool. The pearl lets off a lot of heat. You best get it to the priestess quickly.”
“Lucky for me, I have a dragon waiting to take me to her.” Freja chuckled and shrugged.
“You certainly have made some interesting friends.” Jester was happy for Freja. However, he was disappointed he wasn’t the one for her. He was happy that she was finally starting to live her life, though. “Come on. I’ll walk you out, in case the shriek comes back again. You might not fear death, but I’m not willing to take that chance. Chances are you would live through it, but you don’t have the time to be frozen in time for a few days, right?” Jester winked at Freja.
“No, I don’t. I need to get this to Kali, get everything sorted out, and then go witch hunting.” Freja stared angrily in front of her as she thought about the witches.
“Now there is a familiar look.” Jester smiled, and the two of them chuckled together.
Freja was very closed off and cold before. But maybe, if she would have looked harder, she would have realized something important: she was not completely alone. She did have a friend out there. She couldn’t appreciate Jester’s friendship then. He was just annoying to her. But now … now she could. And looking back, she was finally able to realize how much of a friend he had been to her. Maybe it wasn’t so much that she’d changed but how being with Hunter had changed her. For the better.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Freja stood at the edge of the forest. The mist was fading as she looked out at the open grassy knoll in front of her. It was almost like the two connecting areas were worlds apart and not just the few feet of difference that it was. She turned to thank Jester as he was walking away and froze. Her eyes widened. A white orb with a sinister face floated before her. It made no sound … none at all. The white orb swayed back and forth in front of her.
Jester turned his head to look back at Freja and saw the glowing white orb only a foot away from the auburn-haired girl. With his lightning vampire speed, he flashed in between her and the orb. He held out his hand protectively as he faced off with it. “What in the world …” He quickly reached into his belt and drew out a silver dagger. “What are you? You are not the shriek.”
To his surprise, the face on the orb responded to him, its transparent eyes pinning their gaze upon him. It sneered at the glowing dagger that was being held in front of it.
“What is it that you’re after? The shriek seeks those who fear death … what are you seeking?” Jester said to himself, not expecting an answer from the orb.
“Love.” An airy voice hissed from the orb as it swayed back and forth.
