“Oh … so you’re staying here then?” Jin arched her brow as she looked at Chasen.
“Give it up, Chasen. It’s a lost cause.” Hunter smiled and shook his head. This was what they did. They flirted with death. This was the destiny he had been given. They had a duty to do as much as they could for the demon war. Even if it was just toprevent the vampires from joining the demons … that would be enough for him.
Chasen groaned. “How long of a journey is it?”
Jester chuckled. “I guess it isn’t just going to be just the two of you then?” He sized Chasen up, looking him over. He could feel a strong aura coming off him. In fact, he had encountered similar auras before during his lifetime. He smiled. “Having you around would probably be pretty handy. It isn’t every day you run into a guardian. They are a rarity in this world.”
Chasen forced air out of his nose and crossed his arms. “I go wherever Hunter and Freja go. So if they’re going to walk into the lion's den, then I’m going in with them.”
“Yep, same with me,” Jin chirped happily.
“Walking in isn’t going to be a problem.” Jester turned his gaze back to Freja and Hunter. “But it might not be smooth leaving. I’m going to talk some sense into my brother. And I’m hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.”
“Do you and your brother not get along now?” Hunter asked.
“Eh, I wouldn’t say that. He was upset that I decided to leave, but we’ve always had a good relationship.”
“Does he know … the reason you really left?” Freja asked in a whisper.
Jester shrugged. “You seem certain that you know the reason I left.”
Freja tilted her head and raised her brows at him. She folded her arms and cleared her throat as she looked at him expectantly.
“Whatever, it doesn’t matter.” Jester looked away and into the distance. “If he wanted me back, all he had to do was send for me. So he knew it was better like this.”
Freja stiffened and bit her bottom lip. She looked at Hunter. Jester was right. If the King of the Vampires had wanted him to come back, he would have summoned him. It didn’t matterif his brother knew or not, though he most likely did. The fact remained that he never did reach out to Jester. She could hear the pain in his voice over never being sent for. Maybe he was testing to see if his brother wanted him around, and it only proved what he was already feeling. That he was a burden to his brother.
She let out a breath of air. “You shouldn’t assume that you know what’s transpired while you’ve been gone. Maybe there are other reasons? Maybe your brother was actually protecting you this way.”
Jester smiled and looked at Freja. “Look at the cold-hearted huntress, trying to cheer her friend up. First, you wouldn’t let me sacrifice myself for you, and now you’re trying to make me feel better.” He looked at Hunter. “Love has changed you dramatically … In either case, I’ll be seeing him again soon.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Hunter and Jester were talking about the trip as they walked together. To Freja’s surprise, the two had actually hit it off. Even Chasen had taken to him. Jin and Ciana were like children on sugar leading the way, skipping up hills and bouncing down the trails. Two people with very spirited energy. They made too much noise while they traveled. Freja never traveled like this. She always moved with stealth, never seen or heard until it was too late. The others seemed more relaxed, as if there was nothing dangerous lurking in these woods. And maybe it was a safer area, since they were heading toward vampire territory, where their king and queen resided. Still … Freja felt unnerved with the noise.
She looked up to the trees as they walked under their leafed canopy, and without saying a word, she jumped and ran to the top of the nearest tree, wanting to get a better view of the area.
Hunter stopped and looked up toward where Freja had disappeared to. He was about to call out to her, but Jester stopped him.
“She still has a lot to get used to. She’s come so far in such a short amount of time.” Jester looked upward with a smile, then at Hunter. “She’s always been a cautious one.”
Hunter sighed. “I don’t like having her out of my sight. Even for a moment.” His eyes darted above him, trying to catch a glimpse of her.
Freja, I can’t see you.Hunter pouted through their link, falling back while the other two men walked on ahead.
Freja hopped down in front of him suddenly, giving him a crooked smile. “Miss me already? I was gone for like two seconds,” she teased.
He wrapped his arms around her, bringing her close to his chest, and leaned his face into the crook of her neck. “I don’t like it when I can’t see you, Freja.” His hot breath beat on her skin, and she leaned into him.
“I was just getting a quick layout of the area. I also wanted to see if anyone was nearby.” Freja had seen the darkness that crept in the woods. She had seen the manifestation of evil itself walking above ground. So, naturally, she was a bit apprehensive knowing that one of the lords of darkness might be walking about.
“We’ve been through so much already. I just need you close.” He lightly pecked his mark on her neck, a gesture both endearing and possessive. He smiled into her neck as he felt her body respond to his touch.
She lifted her head up, and they looked into each other’s eyes. His hand tenderly cupped her cheek, and a soft smile spread on his face. “I just want to keep you safe.”
She grinned. “Same. I want to keep you safe.” She stepped up beside Hunter, and the two of them quickened their pace to catch the others.
“I hope this meeting goes well. Honestly, working out a type of treaty with the vampires would be a good thing for the werewolves.” Hunter looked at Freja with a smile. It would be a big accomplishment during his reign, one that would allow his kind to live in peace.
