The Huntress : The Alterealm Series Book 1
Chapter 25

I watched as seven of the brothers checked weapons and joked with each other. For the dire situation we were facing, you’d think it was a game. Then again if you lived as long as they did even scrabble would lose its appeal after fifty or sixty years.

Quinton walked over and turned me to look at the Sais hanging all pretty in the straps on my back. I still had my raptor behind me and knife strapped to my hip, but I felt better prepared with the addition of the new blades I now felt comfortable. Chase had only let me practice for a few hours, but the movements came to me now without hesitation.

“Upgraded I see.” He smiled down at me.

’I didn’t want a repeat of the last time.”

“No. That would be bad.” He glanced over at Chase noticing, like I had, that his eyes strayed in my direction more than they did anywhere else. “Everything okay over with the day walkers?”

I looked slowly away from the hazel eyes holding me captive up into the curious brown ones. “Seems to be.” Quinton’s look of concern didn’t change. I had to wonder if he was picking up on the vibes, or whatever it was between Chase and I, somehow. Leaning closer I lowered my voice. “When you have some time, I have about a gazillion questions.”

He smirked. “Only a gazillion huh?” Shrugging, he patted my shoulder. “I’ll see if I have enough answers for them.”

Tim walked over grinning down at me. “I daresay this time out we’re better prepared.”

“Have you been ordered to stay with me again?” I glanced quickly at Chase.

Tim shook his head. “No, my Queen, I chose to be beside you.” He grinned at Quinton. “What she can do with her new weapons is truly amazing.”

Quinton looked from the burly man back down to me. “I have no doubt.”

Victor walked into the room with a case in his hand and woman with red hair behind him. “Welsley and Clairee will be here shortly,” he announced to the room.

Quinton leaned down and whispered. “As we take them down, that gadget in the case will send them back to holding cells until Victor gets back.”

I was more than impressed. “I wouldn’t mind one of those when I’m tracking jumpers.”

He chuckled. “This one will only work to return to this side and for only two beings.” He motioned to Victor. “The Justice and the Huntress.”

My jaw dropped. “Really?”

Quinton nodded. “Vic will give you a quick rundown before we start.”

I was still flabbergasted that I was allowed to use that device. “Okay.” Turning my attention to the redheaded woman standing in the corner with her eyes closed, I nudged his arm. “Who’s that?”

“A mage,” he muttered with the distain clear in his tone. “Welsley will be bringing a witch with him. Clairee, because she can tap into Wanda’s power on this side.”

I was anxious to meet Clairee and hoped my message had reached her and Wanda. There hadn’t been much time after the meeting to set the plans in motion.

When Chase, Troy and Victor all turned and started coming over Tim bowed quickly and muttered something and then moved in the other direction. I didn’t blame him, those three were a force to reckon with, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to take on all of them at once. Quinton started to move away as well until I grabbed his arm. “Stay,” I demanded quietly. His only response was to chuckle softly.

Victor actually smiled at me when they stopped in front of me. “I am pleased you have selected more lethal weapons little Huntress.” Troy nodded his approval as well.

I looked from one to the other before turning my gaze to Chase. His anxiety was very easy for me to pick up on. I sent him a knowing look, hoping he understood that he needed to tamp down on the excess emotions. Slowly I looked back to Victor. “I don’t like being picked up off the ground.”

He cleared his throat. “I daresay if you go down this time I will have a bloody massacre on my hands.” His eyes moved between the two Kings before he sighed and held up the case. “I have your portable receiver to go with this.” Pausing, he pulled out something that looked like an old-school pager and held it out. “A simple scan of the offender will suffice to send them back here to await justice.”

The way he said the last part made my spine itch. I wouldn’t ever want to be on his shit list. I took the device and turned it over in my hand. “I just push this and wave it over the offender?” He nodded abruptly. Clipping it to my waist, I shrugged. “Okay.”

Welsley came into the room, a small dark haired woman right on his heels. She looked around at everyone in the room and then her gaze settled on me. With determined steps, she glided in my direction. Before I could do anything, the four men near me stepped in front of me creating a solid wall of backs and making it so I couldn’t see a damn thing.

“Hey.” I shoved between Chase and Troy until they moved and let me stand between them. “Seriously, you guys need to take this protective nature down several notches.”

Troy leaned down so he could whisper right against my ear. “Someday you will understand how important your safety is to our kingdom, little Queen.” He straightened and turned to look at his twin. A silent look of warning passed between them.

Shaking off the hostile emotions Chase dumped on me, I turned and smiled at the woman that stood in front of us waiting. “How is Wanda holding out?”

Brushing back her dark locks, she sighed. “Going stir crazy mostly,” she bowed her head, “she sends her greetings, Huntress Queen.” Lifting her chin, she looked at the two men crowding me. “And to you both as well.”

I tried not to roll my eyes at all the regal crap. “Clairee, right?” She nodded. I held out my hand. “I need to speak with you for a quick minute before we leave.” I could see the objection in Chase’s eyes before he could voice it. “Girl talk, Chase.” I winked at him and then took her hand and walked us to the furthest corner.

Glancing over my shoulder, I caught the curious looks from all the royal brothers. With a sweet grin, I turned back and leaned my head close to Clairee’s, thankful she was close to my height. “Did Wanda get my message?”

She nodded her green eyes wide with excitement. “We worked on them for hours, but we only had time to complete four.” Her expression was pained.

Four? I had hoped for eight, even ten. Four meant I had to actually choose who I wanted to protect. Talk about grueling choices. “But they’ll work? Marcus won’t be able to touch them?”

She nodded again and reached into her pocket. “How will you decide?”

I bit my lip and looked down at the four pendants she placed in my hand. “I have no idea.” Clairee kept looking over at the woman in the corner. “Go if you have to plot your moves.”

She nodded and then lowered her head. “I wish you a safe battle, my Queen.”

I wanted to groan out loud, the titles were starting to make me feel just a little like a fraud. “Thank you.”

I waited until she walked away and then turned and looked at the men in the room. How in the world was I supposed to give extra protection to just four of them? Who would be the most important here to ensure a safe return? All of them? Opening my hand, I looked down at the red pendants, they looked like dragons but I couldn’t be sure.

For a few seconds, I thought how much simpler my life had been before I even believed in things like magic. Funny how your whole world can change in the same amount of time it takes to blink.

Looking up at the men again, I noticed most were watching me warily. Victor would be plain offended if I gave him one, Leone and Rafael the same I imagined. Quinton got one whether he liked it or not, I needed him to keep me sane in all of this. Michael was staring at a spot on the wall, obviously doing a little psych prep of his own. I doubted he’d appreciate some girly notion that would protect him. Turning I studied Arius, I didn’t know much about him but due to the fact he could grab his opponents mind and control them, my token would probably make him laugh.

Taking a deep breath, I made eye contact with Quinton and motioned with my head for him to come over. With a suspicious look, he did without bringing too much attention to the fact I had more or less summoned him.

When he stopped in front of me, I held out one of the charms. “Please take this and keep it on you tonight.”

With his brows furrowed he took it and studied it. “What is it?”

I knew his opinion on magic and didn’t want to tell him straight up that it was just that. “Just something I want you to have.”

His eyes widened and then he smiled. “Thank you, Damariss.”

I snarled at him showing my teeth. “You need to forget that’s my name,” I muttered.

“Never.” He gave me a huge lopsided grin. Chase called him over. With another grin, he tucked the piece into his pocket and went back over.

Troy came toward me. “We’re sending the first group over in a few minutes.” He stopped and glanced at Quinton. “If he replaces out you gave him something holding magic he won’t be happy.”

I didn’t ask how he knew. “Then we won’t tell him.” I held one of the dragons out to him. “I have one for you as well.”

He took it and studied it briefly before putting it in his pocket. “That’s not saying much for your confidence in my fighting skills.”

I looked at the huge broadsword hanging from his side. “It’s for the fighting that doesn’t involve brute strength.”

Grinning, he stepped closer and then gave me a serious look. “Be safe, little one, we need you whole and healthy.”

“I plan on staying that way this time.” I looked up into his eyes and couldn’t help notice that even though they were identical to his brothers, they were entirely different at the same time. He was nothing like his twin. This man in front of me went much deeper and hid more than all his siblings combined.

Straightening, he turned and walked over to Quinton and Tim. A warm feeling suddenly filled me and I didn’t have to look far to replace the source. Chase was coming to me, his eyes locked on mine. I waited until he was close enough that only he would hear what I had to say. “You need to get this connection thing under control, big guy, I can’t be wondering what you’re trying to convey in the middle of a fight.”

With a burning look, he stopped close enough that I could feel the heat from his body. “Not to worry, kitten, when I want you to feel what I’m feeling you won’t have to guess at it.” He sighed. “I don’t suppose you’d sit this one out and watch from the sidelines?”

Shaking my head, I scrunched up my face. “I’m not much of a spectator.”

“I didn’t think so.” Leaning down he brushed a soft kiss against my cheek. “Hold nothing back, Daxx, I want you back without injury this time.” Straightening he held out his hand. “Now give me my token of your affections and let’s go kick some ass.”

Frowning, I placed the charm in his hand. “How did you know?”

He grinned. “No one sneak’s messages out of my realm without me knowing.” He looked over at his twin still standing with Quinton. “You gave to them as well?”

“Yes, and I have one more for Tim.”

Rubbing his jaw, a hesitant look crossed his face. “I don’t think I like your attachment to my guard.”

“You’ll get over it.” I patted him on the chest and started to move past him.

Grasping my arm gently he gave me a heated look. “Be safe.”

A lump formed in my throat, so I nodded and then went over to Tim without looking behind me.

****

My first thought when I was suddenly back on my side was, this had better go down the way we planned it. There were only thirteen of us plus a witch and mage and we were headed to a battle with more bodies fighting against us. My second thought was why on earth had they landed us all on a roof? That part of the planning had been omitted when Quinton had brought me up to speed.

As soon as my legs felt steady again I moved over to the edge where Victor stood looking down. I didn’t have to ask a thing when I looked over the edge and saw them gathering in an alley half a block away.

Chase appeared beside me and then Troy on the other side. Chase sighed loudly and then pointed to the others walking around the corner. “I don’t care if he stands right in front of you, Kitten, the one wearing the red shirt you are to stay clear of.”

I looked down at the guy, granted he was big, enormously so but he didn’t look any more dangerous than the king standing beside me. “Why?”

“Because he doesn’t need to be touching you to feed.” Troy supplied with abhorrence plain in his voice.

“Can he do that to me? I mean don’t I have some sort of special mojo going on?”

Chase glanced down at me and then to his brother. “Let’s just play it safe.”

Victor cleared his throat. “Do you see the blur in the middle of the group gathering?”

All of us turned and looked again. I spotted the man in the middle of the group, he wasn’t exactly a blur, but he seemed to be covered in something that made them look blurry, almost not there. “What is that?”

“Marcus,” Victor growled.

Oh crap! Was the only thing my brain returned. “He’s going to be right there out in the open?”

“We won’t even be able to touch him.” Victor turned and strode over to Clairee and the woman standing beside her.

I felt like I should have read the instructions to this game before jumping on board all of a sudden. “If Victor or I scan him will it work?”

Troy leaned on the break wall and studied the group. “It’s doubtful.”

“The plan is to take down his followers and then he’ll be on his own again. He’s gathering strength from all of them, making him more powerful.”

“That’s so cheating,” I mumbled. Sighing I looked around at the others waiting on the other side. “How long are we waiting?”

Chase went over and looked over the edge at the other corner. “There are a few late arrivals coming from this side.” He nodded over to Rafael. “Raf and Leone are going to follow them in, once they signal us we’ll box them in.”

I studied the alley they were all heading to. There was only one way out besides the way they’d come in, and unless they had wall scaling abilities they were screwed. Why would they pick somewhere with no escape? “Why would they pick somewhere boxed in like that?”

Chase came over and leaned beside his twin and studied it. “Because Marcus thinks he’s outsmarted us and we’re clueless.”

I grinned. “I love crashing parties.”

Troy pointed down the street to where Rafael and Leone walked along like they were just out for a nightly stroll. “Time to move.”

“Let’s party.” Chase said next to my ear as he turned to follow his brother to the group waiting to start.

I followed the twin Kings down the fire escape, with Quinton and Tim right behind me. With a final glance to the witch and mage staying up top, I turned and looked around the group. There was a silent resolve hovering in the vibes, I decided at that moment if things went south during any of this, and any one of them got hurt I would personally hunt down this amazing magician that was the cause of all of this and beat him ten ways to dead.

Chase blew out a breath as he stood beside me. “I really hope those emotions are intended for the other side, kitten. They hurt just feeling the backlash from the energy.”

I grinned. “We’ve got this.”

“Amen,” Michael whispered. He turned and looked around at his brothers for a long moment. “Fight well, brothers.” With a nod to me he turned and took off in a jog down the back alley that would lead to the gathering group. Arius saluted and then turned to follow him.

Victor paused in front of me and gave his brothers a quick glance before looking down at me. “Fight well, Huntress.”

I was surprised to be included in this brotherly game they played. “Well enough to kick your ass, Victor.”

His grin was wide as he turned and went in the opposite direction, taking only one guard with him.

Welsley didn’t waste words, just nodded in our direction and then motioned for the other remaining guard to follow him.

Turning around I looked up at the men all watching me. I was going in with more muscle than the entire body builders’ association. With the two Kings, Quinton and Tim I should have felt like the safest person on any planet, but I wasn’t quite that cocksure just yet.

Troy patted Chase on the back. “Fight well, brother.”

“Well enough to beat you, brother King.” Chase replied as he turned and we started walking down the street.

To anyone watching, if they could see through the cloak, surrounding us, they would think Armageddon was about to rain down on them. The four towering men walked with long strides in synch with each other’s step. In the middle was where I strode along beside them.

I mentally psyched myself up for what was to come and hoped I didn’t get my ass handed to me. I had four objectives in this impending situation. First to get my ass out of it whole and second, to make sure all the men I were attached to did the same. The third priority was to avoid anyone wearing a red shirt, just to be on the safe side. And last, my own secret hope of getting close enough to the magician to knock him down a few pegs. If his magic or spells or whatever he did truly didn’t work on me, I was the only one in all of this that had a chance to do something to stop him.

A bit much for my first multi-realm battle? Probably, but it kept me from running the other way screaming we’re all gonna die. I detest cowardice and refused to give in to it. Then again, I could save that for the emergency exit, just in case.

When we reached the entrance of the alley, all of the others appeared alongside us. I looked into the alley at the unsuspecting group gathered closely at the far end. When I could see a tall man with black hair, streaked with white in the middle I turned to Chase and whispered. “I can see him clearly.”

He gave me a quick glance and then nodded. “Then it’s true, he holds no power over you.” Looking at his brother over my head, he gave him a glare. “He is a blur to us.”

My nerves were zinging, if we stood here much longer I might back out of it all together. “Let’s get this party started, boys.” Not waiting for a cue from any of them, I started walking slowly into the alley. When I heard the hisses behind me I knew later I was in for a lecture or two, probably eight.