A Surrender Of Hope (Umbra Hunters #3)

6. Creed

SIX

Creed

“ W hat happened?” Meyer snaps quietly, standing over the bed and glaring at Ranger Drakos, where he’s sitting on the edge of Jenning's bed, looking guilty as fuck.

“How the hell did you not see her scars before now?” Nox hisses in my ear, standing close as we watch Meyer. I scoff and shake my head.

“Don't you dare put this on me. You’ve seen her topless, too! You’ve healed her several times. So why didn't you see them?” I ask in return, making sure to keep my voice low so she doesn't overhear us. The fact is, I feel sick to my stomach, knowing she’s been brutalized enough to leave those long, thick scars running over her back. Both times we were intimate, I never had a chance to look at her back. I was lost in the beautiful, stunning creature in my arms.

“The only other time I healed her with her top off was when she dreamwalked into my dreams! She was completely coated in blood, and there was no way of seeing those!” he snaps, then curses when Meyer’s attention darts our way. He takes a step away from me, trying to look less pissed off, which doesn't work at all, and I can't help but remember how Valen reacted or rather didn't react when he saw her scars. Even Razar had lost his shit, tossing his sword on the ground and storming from the room as Nox healed her. But Valen had only stared down at the scars with a sad look in his eyes. Had he known about them? Did she tell him, or had he discovered them himself?

Meyer glares at us, and I suddenly understand Drakos’ guilty look as I stare at my shoes, toeing the ground as I try not to squirm under her gaze. “How did he get hurt? And why haven’t you healed him yet?” she asks, eyes wet as she looks to Nox, who shakes his head.

“I did what I could. I can heal Demons, Meyer. Not Hunters. I was able to elevate his magic in order to speed up his healing process, but we have to wait for him to do the rest. And I only gave what I had to before turning the rest of my energy back to you. His injuries are bad, but they weren’t fatal like yours were.” Meyer flushes at his words and nods, looking chastised and grateful at the same time.

“Thank you,” she whispers, making Nox frown and tilt his head, studying her even more. He’s probably unsure how to handle a friendly and grateful Meyer. These two are constantly at each other’s throats, so his confusion at her sudden change in behavior makes sense.

“I… You died, Angry Girl. Jordan and I were trying to get Umbra Ragalis off us to get to you when a Rogue Hunter came out of nowhere!” Theo’s eyes move to a sleeping Jennings, his injured leg and arm propped up on some pillows.

The guy looks a million times better than he did yesterday. His cheeks finally have a touch of pink instead of the ghostly white they were from blood loss. Thank the Gods Hunters have accelerated healing. Meyer would have strung us all up by the balls if she saw Jennings twenty-four hours ago.

“Then…” Drakos looks up, glaring at Nox. “Some people wouldn’t let me help Jordan,” he almost growls, an accusatory look crossing his face as he moves his attention from Nox to me.

I shrug, crossing my arms over my chest as I stare the kid down. I don’t regret my choice to sling him over my shoulder while Razar grabbed Jennings. At that point, Meyer had a heartbeat again, and I knew if, by some miracle, she survived and woke up, she would never forgive us if her friends were killed under our watch. Jennings was already bleeding out from the deep wounds the Rogue Hunter gave him, and I wasn’t about to risk the Drakos kid as well.

“You’re both alive. Stop whining,” Nox mutters, the orange ball of raging fur clutched in his hands as he strokes its back like it’s a gentle kitten and not the evil little shit that it is. I can feel its beady blue eyes staring at me, and I step back, wanting more distance between us.

I attempted to make friends with the cat while Meyer was resting, knowing that if I won her precious Milo to my side, it would be easier to earn her forgiveness. But it didn’t work despite my best efforts. Hell, I even saved a bite of my chicken from lunch to get the damn cat to warm up to me a little, but he bit my finger, not the chicken, then scratched the shit out of my arm when I tried to pick him up.

I have no idea why Razar has a weird obsession with him, but it seems to make my brother happy, which is good, considering Arch just tried to kill him and Meyer. No, not tried—Arch succeeded in killing Meyer, which fucked us all up, though I’m most concerned about Valen and Razar at the moment. I’m still not sure how Jesthren and Nox managed to bring her back, but I don't envy him that conversation. Especially when she realizes she’s stuck with Nox for the rest of their lives.

There’s a good chance for stabbing and ball kicking, and I hope it happens in my presence so I can watch the show. I have never, and I mean NEVER, seen my youngest brother get his ass handed to him before, and I find it incredibly ironic that it’s a small, half-human girl doing it.

Lennox has grown up somewhat spoiled. As the heir to the throne, the only person who’s ever challenged him is our dad. So Meyer giving him shit for every decision and choice he makes has been entertaining as hell. Frowning, I return my attention to Lemon Drop, watching as she leans over Jenning's bed and strokes away a lock of hair as she fusses over him like a mother would her child.

Drakos glares at Nox, moving to grip Jennings’ hand protectively as Meyer purses her lips and turns to Valen, who has been one step behind her the entire time. I’m honestly surprised he set her down. From the strained look on his pale face, he’s only done so because she asked, not because he wanted to. I watch her step effortlessly into his arms, leaning forward to whisper something, her hand mindlessly stroking down his chest, making his tense shoulders relax. She earns a nod in response to whatever she said as one of Valen’s big hands clasps her waist, and the other moves to her slim neck, fingers pressing to her pulse point as she keeps talking to him.

“Have you told Mom she’s awake?” Drakos suddenly snaps at us, sounding way too disrespectful, in my opinion. Lennox arches a thick brow, probably thinking the same as he stares the boy down. “Well, have you? That one was supposed to tell me when Meyer woke up, and he didn’t,” he accuses, throwing a dark look in my direction.

“That's because she was only awake for five minutes before we were headed your way,” I grind out, trying to stifle the need to touch Meyer again. Valen looks like he’s two seconds away from shifting back into his Shade form, and I don't want to make it worse. But damn, I want to touch her, too! I may be holding my crap together better than he is at the moment, but that doesn't mean I’m okay. Every time I shut my eyes, I see Meyer, covered in blood, held against Lennox’s chest as he yells at her to wake up. I feel the pain that shot through me when I realized her chest wasn’t moving, saw how her cheeks were an unnatural shade of white, and her tiny hand hung limply at her side.

I swallow the bile that threatens to climb up my throat at the thought. It wasn't until Lennox had her back in his bed with a steady heartbeat that I finally went into the bathroom and threw up. Not once have I been sick during a battle. I never lost composure at death. Even Arch’s death, which had been my fault, hadn't brought me to my knees. Death is a natural part of life and something I’m well acquainted with. But seeing her like that—I was in front of the toilet, heaving and trembling like a damn child.

“Stop arguing,” Meyer hisses at us, glaring at Drakos, then at Nox and me. Valen’s expression hardens as he stares us down, and I’m suddenly very grateful that he’s our brother because the look he’s giving us promises death for upsetting the girl in his arms.

Drakos’ mouth snaps shut, side-eyeing Valen before shuffling closer to Jennings. “Is he safe to be around? He’s not going to go all…” Drakos hesitates as he looks for the word to describe my brother in his Demonic form. “ Shady, is he?” he finally says, looking from Valen to me. I shrug, unsure if Valen is stable right now. But good luck getting him away from Lemon Drop, even if he’s not. I'm pretty sure that’s a one-way ticket to a very painful death.

“He has his Shade form under control,” Lennox reassures Drakos, staring Valen down with a hint of his magic wavering between them. Valen narrows his eyes on him, arms tightening around Lemon Drop. I know Valen is grateful Nox was able to save Meyer, but their fight for dominance will only worsen now that Nox has a mate claim on her. Valen’s Demonic instincts will pressure him to form the bond, and I know he’ll feel guilty trying to rush Meyer. He’ll suffer in silence instead, which I’m afraid will lead to resentment toward Nox.

“Yeah, sure.” Drakos looks at Meyer like he wants to remove her from Valen’s arms, and I can’t blame the guy after what he witnessed yesterday. After the Rogue Hunter hurt Jennings and Meyer was stable, Valen lost control. His Shade form came out in a dark and bloody way, razing the battlefields and eradicating all the remaining Beastia and Rogue Hunters. It’s something I had never witnessed before.

Valen has gone to battle several times in his life, and it wasn’t until that moment I realized what he was capable of. I knew he was supposed to be stronger than regular Dream Walkers. As the son of the late Dream Walker King of Aurelya, Valen is one of the strongest magic users I know. But the magic he used, the way he tore the Beastia apart like they were silly little ragdolls… I shiver and shake my head. It’s something I hope never to witness again.

Stepping forward, I walk past Drakos and grab Lemon Drop’s hand, squeezing it gently and finally breathing a sigh of relief. The pain in my chest ebbs the moment her slender fingers twine with mine, easing the panic of her possible rejection. I wasn’t sure how she would react to my touch, considering she’s still upset with me, but now that I’m holding her hand, all I want to do is wiggle my way between Valen’s arms so I can wrap myself around her. I don’t care if he stays; I’m fabulous at sharing. I just need her in any way she’ll allow.

A low growl breaks from Valen’s throat, and I narrow my eyes at him. “She’s not just yours. She belongs with all of us,” I hiss under my breath, sick to death of catering to these assholes. I’ve tried to be nice. I’ve kept my distance and would continue to do so if that’s what Meyer wanted, but she’s holding my hand and not telling me to get lost, so I’m staying here! Screw my brothers.

“I would like to point out that I’m not a possession and belong to no one,” Meyer whispers, keeping her voice low so she doesn’t disturb the Jennings boy. I hear a low growl from Nox at that statement and watch as he glowers at her. Meyer winces, unaware of Lennox’s anger at her words, and lowers her head to rest on Valen’s chest. The action makes my heart skip a beat as worry comes rushing back in. I throw a look at Nox, making sure he sees her pain. I can't do anything to help, but he can.

“Yeah. Plus, Jordan and I called dibs on her first,” Drakos says, glaring at Valen and me and offering Meyer his hand, which, to my horror, she takes with a laugh and steps toward him.

“Lemon Drop,” I whine as Valen’s hand darts out, circling the wrist that has the red mark. I watch his thumb shakily run over it, Valen’s gray eyes locked on her as she steps closer to Drakos. He doesn't hold her back, allowing her to move wherever she wants, but he keeps himself glued to her side. Aw fuck, he’s going to be a delight to be around for the next couple of days. Hopefully, Meyer can get him to calm down a bit.

“Little Demon, you’ve seen the Jennings boy. Now, go back to my room. I haven’t finished healing you fully, and I know you have a headache, so don’t pull that shit with us,” Nox commands when our girl opens her mouth to argue. Meyer’s mouth snaps shut with an audible click, and I watch her jaw tick to the side, her teeth grinding in annoyance. I sigh, closing my eyes and pinching the bridge of my nose, and groan at my brother’s stupidity. Come on, dude, use your brain and ask, not demand.

I open my eyes just in time to see a rebellious fire lighting in Meyer’s eyes at his demand. She yanks her hand from Drakos and turns on Nox, shoulders squaring like she’s readying for battle. Only her hands are trembling slightly at her side; her eyes narrowed a little as if in pain, and the short wheezing breath I hear as she tries to calm herself sets me on edge, so I decide it's probably best to intervene… for her of course; not Nox.

“I got it, babe,” I offer, shooting her a grin as I walk over to Nox, wink at him, then glare at the devil cat in his arms before hooking my foot around his ankle and yanking as hard as I can. Nox shouts in surprise, letting Milo fall to the ground. His hands dart out as he tries to regain his balance. “Sorry, dude. You need to learn when to turn your Prince shit off and ask nicely.” Reaching out, I shove his chest, sending him sprawling to the ground with a loud curse.

“Really!? What the hell happened to being quiet so we don’t wake him up?” Drakos snaps when Jordan darts up in bed, looking panicked, his hand moving to where his Kalis lies on a small side table. I nod in approval, happy with the Ranger’s response to danger, as Nox curses me out under his breath. He pushes himself to his knees and glares at me, but doesn’t move to retaliate. Hopefully, that means he agrees and will say please next time.

“Jordan!” Meyer rushes to his side, making the young man blink in surprise, trying to clear the sleep from his eyes. Valen doesn’t even bother to give Nox a sympathetic look. Instead, he looks around, his wary gaze moving to the room’s shadows. I’m not sure if he’s looking for Razar or if he’s ensuring there are no threats in the room.

“Meyer! Holy shit. Are you okay? Turn around and let me see your back,” he rasps, trying and failing to sit up in bed, his wounded arm shaking under him. “Why are you out of bed? Theo, don’t just sit there! Get her in bed, what the hell is wrong with you!?” Jennings snaps, kicking Drakos when he tries to reach over and calm him down, sending the young Ranger to the ground beside Lennox.

“Jordan! You’re the one who needs to be in bed. Chill out!” Theo huffs as he sits up, glaring at Jennings.

“Jordan, I’m fine!” Meyer shouts, lunging forward and grabbing Jennings’ hand, urging him to lay back down with a gentle hand pressed to his shoulder. “Hey, hey!” she whispers, holding his hand and pressing it to her cheek as she leans down. His chest is heaving, and I’m starting to feel bad for startling him awake when he’s still this injured. Nox stopped the bleeding and healed the exterior wounds, but he said the muscles, tendons, and nerves were still shredded. Jennings has at least another week of healing until he’s back to full strength.

“You died, Meyer.” His voice is thick, eyes wide and watery. She hesitates for a moment, then nods.

“The guy was aiming for Razar. I had to do something,” she explains, and Jennings glowers at her.

“That asshole would have let you die, and you decided to be a fucking martyr for him?” Meyer shakes her head and glares back at him, crossing her arms over her chest, Nox’s massive shirt tenting her more petite frame, making her look adorable as fuck as she stands up to her friend.

“No, he wouldn’t,” she snaps and he scoffs.

“You don't know th?—”

“Yes, I do! He saved me from those freaky Wraiths and the Beastia that came after us while we were over the wall. He shoved me down the hill and would have died if his brother hadn’t shown up. I owed him, Jordan!” Jennings inhales sharply, his lips twisting as he struggles to understand Meyer's reasoning.

“You can’t heal the way we can. You should’ve never put yourself in danger like that,” he finally says, shoulders hunching in as a tear rolls down one cheek. If we’re being honest here, I’ve been jealous as fuck of these two Rangers. Their friendship with my girl seems so close and effortless, despite the tension from the Drakos boy listening to Elaine and not telling them about us being Demons. But I have to agree with what Jennings is saying. In my opinion, Meyer shouldn’t have left the castle during the attack. She should’ve been locked up safely in one of our rooms until we handled the threat. I know that makes me sound like a controlling bastard, but at least she would’ve been safe there.

“I thought…” He shakes his head and looks to Theo, who’s pushed himself to his feet. “We thought you died… like for real.” He tugs her into his arms and holds on tight. “I—Please don't do that again.”

“Okay,” she grumbles in agreement into his shirt, her hand awkwardly patting his shoulder, making me quirk a smile when Jennings fully relaxes into the bed.

Nox stands behind me, the tension radiating from him so thick I can feel it in waves. I know he’s struggling with another male touching her. Valen and I are getting away with it because we have a family bond, but Jennings and Drakos will be problematic for him. Clearing his throat, hands balled tightly at his side, Nox leans forward, voice low and gruff.

“I really need to help her. Her iron and blood sugar levels are low, and her head is pounding so damn hard it’s giving me double vision. I need you to get Meyer to my room while I go grab Elaine. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.” I nod, moving forward just as Nox’s giant hand grabs my wrist and squeezes. Glaring at it, then him, I widen my eyes, wanting to know what else he wants. “Do not let her out of your sight,” he growls low, his magic lashing out around us as if in warning, and I purse my lips.

“If you’re having a problem with control, then you stay with her, and I’ll get Elaine,” I suggest, but he’s already shaking his head.

“No. She won’t listen to me.” He shoots Meyer a dirty look, and I chuckle.

“True. But isn’t that why you selected her as your mate?” I watch him carefully. I can see the frustration there, but also something softer… affection? Yeah, Lennox may say he can’t stand Lemon Drop, that she drives him mad, and he wants nothing to do with her, but he’s a damn liar. The longing in his eyes is almost painful to witness as he watches Valen touch her, something we both know she won’t allow him to do so casually. Nox yanks his attention from her, looking down at me as he quickly schools his expression into one of indifference.

“I completed the mate bond to save her life; no other reason. Valen was splintering, and I could feel your pain. Even Razar was threatening to break. I couldn’t allow that to happen,” he clips out, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows hard, eyes flicking back to Meyer as if he can’t stand not looking at her for longer than a few moments. “You saw the damage Valen inflicted once she had a heartbeat again. What would he have done if I failed?”

“All right,” I agree, even though I know he’s full of shit. Sure, the thought of Valen causing even more destruction than he had is terrifying, but Nox didn’t do it just for us. I know that for a fact.

Demons are possessive by nature, to the point that it’s problematic. We covet what we believe to be ours, and when it comes to our mates… we get downright impossible to control. The fact that Nox is holding himself back, giving Meyer her space so soon after completing a mate bond, is a miracle, but one I’m grateful for. Nox and I butt heads all the time, but I can’t dispute he is the best to lead our Legion. There is no way I would be able to exercise the control he has if I were in his shoes.

“Twenty minutes, Creed. Not a moment longer,” he warns, and I nod, knowing his control will snap if I’m not in that room with her by the time he gets there. “I’ll tell Elaine that the boy is awake and to send a doctor.” Reaching down, Nox grabs the evil orange fluff ball and turns on his heel. He strides from the room, making Meyer’s eyes immediately snap toward him just as the door slams shut. She flinches, hand moving to her chest, rubbing her newly healed pink skin; I watch, knowing she’s feeling the distance growing between her and Nox. He needs to explain to her what’s going on before she freaks out.

“Where is he going?” she asks, making Drakos and Jennings stop arguing and turn their attention to her. Valen dips his head, whispering something I can’t make out, and she nods, relaxing a little, but her brow is still pinched.

“Elaine is bringing the doctor to check on Jennings, and I’m sure he could use some privacy. How about you come with us, and we can return when he’s cleared by the Doc? Nox mentioned a headache?” I say, knowing that will light a fire under Valen’s ass to get her back to Nox’s room as soon as possible. Drakos frowns, a concerned look marring his young face as he stares at Lemon Drop.

“Are you still in pain? I thought they could heal you,” he says, looking from her to Valen and finally at me.

“Nox can, but even he has limitations. His magic was fully drained after restarting her heart. He’s using every ounce of magic as it replenishes, and everything is healed except some muscle tissue and a few other non-life-threatening injuries. She’s still weak and needs rest since she doesn’t have the ability to heal herself,” I explain as Meyer shakes her head, moving to argue.

“You should go,” Jennings says softly, hand reaching out to grasp hers and earning a growl from Valen in response. “Regalis is right. I, uh, could use some privacy while talking to the doctor,” he lies through his teeth.

“But,” Lemon Drop whispers, looking at Jennings in surprise.

“Take Theo with you,” he adds, and I watch the Drakos boy’s shoulders tense.

“What? No, that’ll leave you alone; Theo needs to stay with you. Wait, can you come to my room? That way, we’re all together,” she suggests, and I shake my head, knowing that would only make Nox and Valen more impossible to control.

“You’re going to Nox’s room. I don’t think Jennings will be comfortable there; he still has some internal injuries he needs to heal. But I promise to bring you back here after you both rest,” I reassure her. She scowls at me, and I really hope she listens. Valen keeps shifting back and forth on his feet, and I’m worried he’ll scoop her in his arms and not allow her a choice.

“Take Theo,” Jennings says again, his voice soft and calming. Meyer frowns but nods as Drakos looks at me, anger and hurt clear as day on his face. I shake my head at him, letting him know he’s not coming with us, and I see the faint flicker of relief there. Not because he doesn’t want to go with Meyer, but because he can’t leave Jennings.

I get it. Meyer is his friend, and the trio has formed their own little family of sorts. Drakos is almost as protective of Meyer as my brothers and I are, but Jennings will always be his first priority, as he should be. Taking away the option of leaving with Lemon Drop helps relieve the guilt of not going so he can fight to stay here.

“I’m not leaving,” Drakos says, voice firm and resolute as Meyer and Jennings snap their heads in his direction. Meyer smirks when she catches Drakos’ eye and nods in agreement while Jennings looks like his head is about to explode.

“What? You need to keep an eye on her!”

“No, I don’t. She has four giant Demon Princes watching her every move. Hell, that one hasn’t stopped touching her since she came into the room,” Drakos mutters, gesturing at Valen, who blinks back at him, face stone-cold.

“We can’t trust them,” Jenning grinds out, and I scowl at the boy, wondering if I could get away with thumping him a little.

“Yeah, well, according to you, you can’t trust me either. So what's the difference?” Drakos snaps, looking more than a little upset.

“I… You… Dammit! Fine. Whatever, but if she gets hurt again, I’m never going to forgive you,” Jennings snarls, turning in bed, trying to get comfortable and wincing when he jostles his injured leg.

“Stop moving, idiot!” Drakos darts forward, readjusting the pillow under Jennings’ leg. Meyer watches them with a hopeful smile as Valen slowly wraps her in his arms and moves toward the door.

I reach out a hand, trying not to laugh when Jennings kicks Drakos again; Elaine’s son curses, then thumps Jennings on the head like a naughty toddler.

“They’re going to kill each other if they don’t figure their shit out soon,” Meyer remarks, letting us pull her from the room.

“They’re going to do something. Not sure if they’ll be killing each other, but it will be explosive,” I agree with a wink, making Lemon Drop grin back with a devilish smile. The sexual tension between those two is so thick I could cut it with a knife.

“Maybe we should… help them along,” she muses, ambling down the hall, tucked safely between Valen and me.

“I’m game,” I whisper, looking down at her and seeing her small hands tremble at her sides. The dark circles under her eyes look worse than they had earlier, and I can tell by the slight limp in her gait that she’s struggling to walk on her own; she’s just too damn proud to ask for help. I look up at Valen, who’s watching her, one hand holding hers, the other pressed lightly to the small of her back just in case she falls. He doesn’t look at me or offer any conversation, and at this moment, I’m not sure if I’m more worried about Lemon Drop or my brother. “Naps first,” I suggest, hoping to get Valen to sleep with her. Once they’re taken care of, Nox, Razar, Jesthren and I can finally sit down and devise a plan to fix this mess.