A Surrender Of Hope (Umbra Hunters #3)

28. Meyer

TWENTY-EIGHT

Meyer

“ H ow many do I need?” I ask, grabbing the eighth blade Vivian hands me and sheathing it in the holster at my hip since the one on my thigh is full.

“At least five more should be enough. Oh, and I was told to make sure you had the black set of throwing blades,” she mutters, nodding to one of the ladies hovering around us, their hands cinching and tightening the fighting leathers Vivian strapped me into. I tap the holster on my thigh, and she nods in approval when she sees the black blade. “Perfect. Now, our job is to protect the castle,” she tells me, and I frown, not liking that we stay behind while the guys go out to fight. “We command the soldiers here and brace the castle for a breach, then defend it if necessary.”

“Has the castle been breached before?” I ask, looking at the beautiful woman who looks only a few years older than me. How the hell is this the guys’ mother? Her long brown hair is braided back into an elaborate twist, and a small yet elaborately crafted silver crown is woven into the style, keeping it secure if she were to fight. Twinkling black stones are set into the crown, catching the light cast off the large chandeliers above us.

“Yes. Aerial attacks are the largest threat. There are several creatures here with the ability to fly. There hasn't been a war where Demons or Therions have made it through the gates in over three centuries, but by air…” she smirks and nods. “As long as there isn't a Dragon out there, we should have a rather boring day.”

“And the guys go out to fight while we just sit here,” I confirm, the frustration in my voice not as disguised as it should be. Vivian arches a delicate brow at me as she looks at the girl standing by her side.

“Grab Princess Darakh’s boots, please,” she instructs before moving closer to me and waving off the girl cinching my black corset. Her fingers move to the laces to complete the task herself.

“You don't like having them out there without you? You would rather be out there with them than in here with me?” she asks, and I nod, unsure if I’ve offended her.

“Good,” she whispers, tying off the laces and turning me to study my face. “I’m glad of it. Nox will need you by his side in all things. In this, however, you will listen and stay. It may seem silly and seem like you are being held here for your protection, but you will see battle, Meyer. Orcus and Lennox are out there protecting our Kingdom, and we stay and protect the castle, the kingdom's center. We are their center, Meyer. Just as the castle is the center… the heart of the Kingdom, you will be the center and heart of my son. You will guard it with your life and ensure it is safe for his return. It is the most important job you will have. Knowing his Queen is protecting his home gives him the strength to protect everyone else who relies on him. If the castle falls… so does he,” she stresses, leaning close so only I can hear her. “Do you understand?”

My heart stalls as her words run through my mind, and I nod. “Yes,” I whisper back, and she smiles.

“Good.”

“Are we ready? I’m about to go to the walls but wanted to check on Lemon Drop first,” Creed says, striding into the room, dressed in his fighting leathers. Twin swords are strapped to his back, and he has a box slung over his shoulder with a quiver of arrows strapped to his side. His curly brown hair bounces a little as he walks toward us, green eyes sparking with heat as they rake up and down my body.

“Just about. The attack?” his mom asks, moving away from me as he steps close and gently tugs me into his arms.

“The Warrior class has stopped them on the southern side. They haven't made it close to the outer walls. Dad and Nox have already ridden out to intercept and handle them,” Creed tells her, his eyes never leaving mine as he stares at me with an intensity that makes me shiver.

“You should already be on the wall if they are that close to the outer rings of the Kingdom,” Viv chides, nodding at the girl holding the tall black boots. I smile my thanks and take them, turning in Creed’s arms so I can set them down and step into them. Creed nods as he crouches down, lacing my boots before I have the opportunity to.

“I know. But I told Nox I would keep an eye on her and wanted to make sure she was good before I headed out,” he admits, making Viv roll her eyes.

“Meyer is fine. Aren't you?” she asks, and I nod.

“Yeah. It's no different than when the castle is attacked on Earth. You should go,” I insist, not wanting to get Creed in trouble with his parents. He stands back up and nods before his eyes light up. He looks over my shoulder and waves the girl behind me close. She holds a small pillow and a small silver circlet with tiny sapphires resting on the soft velvet fabric. Creed's grin grows as he grabs it, then turns, resting it on my head as I gape up in surprise.

“I don't think that's mine,” I whisper to him, eyeing Viv to see if she’s mad Creed took one of her crowns.

“It is yours,” Viv says with a sigh, her lips twisting in amusement as Creed steps back, hands on my shoulders so he can get a good look at me. “But Nox will lose his mind if he finds out you put that on her head before he could.” Creed chuckles and winks at his mom.

“Good thing he’ll never know, huh?” Viv laughs and grabs a cloth from one of her ladies, winding it up before snapping it at Creed playfully.

“You are trouble. Now go do your job and let me teach your mate what hers shall be,” she scolds, making me laugh as the cloth smacks Creed on the ass, making him yelp and nod, backing away from me with his hands up.

“Ow! Mom, that wasn’t nice!” he laughs and winks at me before turning and leaving the room. The echo of the drums still sounds in the air as Viv chuckles and nods at her ladies.

“You are dismissed to your rooms. Lock the inner doors until I come for you,” she instructs calmly, nodding at the women and watching them leave until we’re the only ones left in the room. “Are you ready?” she asks, and I nod, unsure what I’m agreeing to but willing to find out.

“Where are we heading?” I ask as she leads us out of the room I got ready in and back to the grand staircase. She practically sprints up the stairs, making me curse as I try to keep pace with her.

“The lookout. We will be able to see them if they are fighting that close to the city. It also gives us an uninterrupted view of any threats to the castle.” She weaves through the now abandoned castle, her steps quick and sure as we go up another five long flights of stairs. I’m gasping for breath when she finally opens a small door, making me flinch back as sunlight pours into the dark corridor we had been in, and walk out onto a large balcony. My mouth parts in awe at the stunning view before me, the pastel skies almost glimmering as puffy white clouds float through the air. The city below is eerily calm and quiet, the resounding sound and beat of the drums the only thing I can hear until a roar catches my attention, and I look south, eyes widening in horror at the black horde of Beastia running through the fields attacking the large army assembled there to protect the city.

“There are so many,” I gasp, hands twitching toward my blades, the urge to run out there and help hitting me square in the chest.

“Yes. Monsters created by our kind that kill us faster than any other. A lesson I fear might actually destroy us,” she rasps, concern plain to see on her face as she steps to the railing, leans against it and takes a deep breath as she watches the horde hit the main part of the army, obliterating those in its path. Six guards suddenly come through the doors behind us, and I watch as they stand at attention behind their Queen.

The outer wall surrounding the Demonic kingdom is packed with men, bows in hand, facing the threat before them. A man yelling out orders I can’t quite understand is walking the length of one of the walls, his curly brown hair easily distinguishable as he commands the men to draw and aim. The swell of pride from seeing Creed so confident and comfortable in his element helps to soothe my worries.

“Beastia were made?” I ask, watching Creed and trying not to freak the fuck out as the horrendous battle plays out in front of my eyes. They are at a distance, two walls separating me from the fight itself, so I can't see the details, but I can see the Beastia and Demons fighting. The dark shadow of the Beastia moves in formation, trying to break through the army of Demons who stand between them and the kingdom.

“Yes. A power play that killed the man who tried his hand at being a god,” she whispers and swallows as she shakes her head. “We will forever be fighting these beasts and their corrupt nature, but the person or people who control them are the real threat. Beastia are wild animals. Up until a couple of years ago, they would hunt and kill like most creatures of this land, dangerous but happy to live their own lives. Now, they are a weapon being used against us.”

Movement to the far left has me whipping my head toward the tree line that leads to the dense-looking forest creeping out over the land, and I lean forward, squinting and watching as the trees shift and move, the branches shifting unnaturally.

“There,” I whisper, pointing to the forest, pulling Viv’s attention from the men fighting the Beastia. She frowns, stepping closer to me as she watches the trees, then curses.

“Looks like you will be getting that fight after all, dear,” she whispers, looking at the guard standing protectively behind her and nodding. He bows, and then they move, rushing toward the doors, calling out for the bells as the other three rush up the small flight of stairs that curve around the high tower where we stand, bringing them to the rooftops.

“Dragon?” I ask, not sure if I’m more scared or excited at the thought of seeing one.

“No. Ulama. A winged creature that resembles what you know as a raven. But these are brightly colored and about three times the size of your birds. They also have cannibalistic tendencies and talons that can puncture through dragon-scale armor.” I look at Vivian in horror, and she laughs at my expression, nodding back to the trees. “They have been used against us before. Whoever is controlling the creatures of our world has enough magic to ensure we are always fighting, so we don’t have time to find them,” she grumbles in frustration, nodding again to the men behind her as the sound of bells rings out, joining the drums’ beat and making the air around us thicken with fear.

“Is there any animal in this realm that doesn't try to kill whoever crosses its path?” Vivian tilts her head as she considers this and shrugs.

“A few, but they have been hunted to near extinction. You must be strong to survive this world. How is your hand-to-hand combat?” Viv asks, changing the subject back to the task at hand. Her dark green eyes meet mine as she pulls a beautifully crafted bow from her shoulder and grabs three arrows from the quiver at her side.

“Shit. But I’m good with throwing blades and attacking from afar. It's why the guys always keep me stocked with these,” I supply, tugging two blades from my thigh holsters and grounding myself as the trees to the left suddenly stop moving. I can feel sweat trickle down my back as I hold my breath, waiting for whatever these Ulama things are to attack.

“That’s good. We are going to need that. Take down as many as possible, and don't let their screams distract you. Their talons are their biggest weapons. Stay clear of them and their beaks. They have a nasty bite and enjoy the taste of flesh. They’ll try to break through windows to get into the castle. We can’t allow that to happen,” she instructs, and I nod, trying not to feel overwhelmed.

Soldiers flood the balcony behind us, and I watch in awe as more men dressed in black fighting leather crowd onto every peak and rooftop surrounding us until every window and door is entirely guarded. They move with a grace humans could only wish to replicate, their tall frames and muscular bodies intimidating to behold as they stand at attention, all eyes trained on the forest to the left.

“Lieutenant,” Vivian calls out, her eyes locked on the trees.

“My Queen?” An incredibly large man steps forward, hand on the hilt of his sword as he dips his head in respect. His short-cropped black hair matches the scruff of his square jaw, and the flicker of darkness in his eyes reminds me of Razar’s when he’s mad.

“Open the cages,” Viv instructs just as a loud, human-like scream fills the air, the pitch so eerie that my arms instantly pebble with goosebumps. The trees suddenly sway as a cloud of bright red feathers takes to the sky, the flap of large wings audible as the swarm of deadly birds flies toward us. Aw fuck, that's not going to be fun. My heart pounds in my chest as I nervously palm my blades, flipping them in my hands. The Lieutenant grins, looking up at the Queen in excitement before he turns toward his soldiers.

“Open the cages!”

“What’s in the cages?” I ask, not tearing my gaze from the cloud of birds as they dive onto the outer walls. I hear a loud clipped command to shoot just as hundreds of arrows arc up into the sky, hitting the red cloud and making the human-like screams multiply, dead and injured Ulama falling through the air, arrows protruding from their large bodies as the ones not hit by the wave of arrows continue to attack.

I lean forward, trying to keep Creed in sight as he draws his double swords and starts to battle the creatures. My stomach rolls as the screams of Creed’s men join those of the hideously ugly demonic birds as the deadly sharp talons of the Ulama attack from above.

“The Phoenix,” Vivian says simply, the words surprising me enough that I look away from the bloody attack and watch in awe as bright golden feathers launch up from the rooftops. A dozen or more birds take flight, their gold and orange feathers catching the sun's light and making it appear as if their bodies are alight with flame. The largest of them spirals down, wings extended as Vivian reaches out, letting the enchanting creature land on her forearm as it releases a soft trill of welcome.

Viv smiles and brings the bird close, stroking its shimmering feathers and whispering something under her breath before she lifts her arm up, and the bird takes flight in a flurry of magical red sparks.

“Holy shit,” I whisper, watching as the large Phoenix quickly catches up to the others. Its sound is more like a song erupting from its small beak as the wave of red Ulama turns and advances on them.

“Indeed,” Viv agrees with a small laugh as she moves all three arrows to her bow, strings them, and takes aim. Just as the Ulama are about to crash into the leader of the Phoenix, Vivian releases her arrows, and I startle when not one but hundreds of arrows follow her lead, hitting the red-winged creatures just as the Phoenix group bursts into flames. The sky lights with an inferno of heat and fire as the Ulama scream and tear through the mythical birds.

“Draw,” Vivian calls again, her hands already clasping another three arrows as several Ulama break free from the fight against the Phoenix and race toward the castle. I watch them as I bring a knife up and take aim, realizing they are even larger than I initially thought. “Deep breath, Meyer,” Viv whispers, and I listen, smiling as her calm tone relaxes me and keeps my trembling hands steady. “Fire!”

I wait for the arrows to fly, watching as one large Ulama, in particular, dives and escapes the deadly attack, its sights set on Vivian. Releasing my breath, I throw my blade, feeling something dark stir in my chest as my weapon lodges itself between the Ulama's beady black eyes. I grin and throw the next blade, the Ulama growing too close for comfort. My blade lands, taking out another, and I feel Vivian’s fingers circle my wrist and tug me back as soldiers step forward in a protective circle.

“The Warrior Legion command is yours, Lieutenant,” she rasps. Reaching behind her, she clasps the handle of her long sword, drawing it from its sheath as a hiss of gold magic lights its blade. I follow suit, grabbing my own sword, surprised at how light it is in my hand.

“There’s too many,” I whisper, watching the Ulama with a wary eye before looking to the soldiers on the rooftops. We are severely outnumbered.

“More than I thought,” she agrees and then grins. “It should be a fun and challenging fight. Don’t get hurt,” she clips out, and I grin back at her. “They will have one more wave of arrows, and then it's time to fight. Go into the castle if you think you can't handle it. I told Nox you would be safe with me and I intend to keep that promise.”

I look at the flock of deadly birds and shrug. Are they terrifying? Yes, but they have nothing on the Beastia outside the city walls.

“I’ve got this,” I firmly state.

“Very good. You will earn more respect fighting than hiding,” Vivan murmurs in approval, her thin fingers clasping the hilt of her sword as the Lieutenant calls for the archers to draw, and then fire. Seconds later, the Ulama attack, swooping down with deadly sharp claws that shred through a man's fighting leathers in seconds, making him snarl in pain as he reaches out and grabs the bird, tearing it in two with his bare hands. I bring my sword up, trying to remember what Creed taught me as the birds attack. I slash and dodge the first set of claws that come for me, twisting to my right as the soldiers around us join in the fight.

“Spread out. Don’t let them breach the castle,” Vivian roars, her voice so loud that I shiver as excitement runs down my back. I can feel something cord through me, the mark on my wrist itching for a moment before the odd feeling moves to pain—heat courses through me as an awareness settles over my mind. I duck and spin, moving my sword faster than I thought possible, taking out two more ugly birds before grabbing a blade and throwing it at an Ulama, attacking a man who had fallen beside me.

“Meyer! With me,” Viv calls out, and I rush to her just as she freezes and frowns, looking around us. Black blood drips from her sword, matching the dark drops on her face as she looks at me with wide eyes.

“What?” I ask, concerned that she might be injured.

“Something's wrong,” she rasps, then twists to her Lieutenant, her voice shaking with fear for the first time.

“Where is the Varack Legion?” The big warrior frowns, snatching an Ulama from the air and throwing it to the ground, where he stomps on it like it is little more than a pest to him.

“Guarding the servants' corridors,” he responds, then frowns, looking at his Queen with concern. “Why?”

“The cave’s been breached. Something is in the castle that doesn't belong,” she rasps, face paling as golden magic sparks at her fingertips. A horn blows on the southern fields, and the Lieutenant snarls, eyes widening as he bellows his orders.

“To the Queen and Princess. Now!”

“No! We have to get to the caves and ensure they aren't damaged! If they destroy them, we fall!” Vivian snarls, grabbing me by the hand and turning us back toward the doors we came through just as they explode outward with a blast of red magic.

“No!” I reach Vivian as we are knocked off our feet and tumble to the ground.

“Wraiths!” Someone yells as my vision swims, and I shove myself back to my feet. The heat in my wrist triples as several black-cloaked figures emerge on the rooftops, red magic circling the demon warriors and shredding them to bloody bits in the blink of an eye!

“Meyer!” Vivian's scream comes just in time for me to turn and see a tall, cloaked creature behind me, its flail clasped in its skeletal hand raised to strike a fatal blow. I stumble back, my hand reaching for one of the black blades, and trip over the body of a guard lying lifeless behind me.

“Shit!” I dive to the side, my body colliding with the gray stone of the castle wall as I try to get out of the way of the Wraith, who descends on me like a reaper sent from the devil himself. Chunks of stone and dust erupt in the air as the pronged steel ball attached to the chain strikes the ground where I landed seconds before. A high-pitched shriek fills the air as the Wraith crouches before me, allowing me a glimpse of the rotted-out face and black sharpened teeth of the monster hidden under the cloak. “Oh, fuck!”

“Meyer!” I hear Vivian scream again, but I don't have time to look at her as I clasp one of the silver blades the Demon Queen had given me and throw it at the Wraith. I hit my mark and send black blood arcing into the air, the putrid blood hitting my face and hands as the creature snarls and raises its weapon to strike again, my silver blade lodged in its ungodly face.

I roll to my right, desperately climbing to my feet as my eyes focus on the fighting around me. My wrist still burns, my vision fuzzy as I spin and meet the Wraith head-on, bracing myself as warmth courses through me. This time, instead of pushing the weird, hot pain away, I embrace it and yank it forward, a scream tearing from my throat as fiery pain sears through my veins and my fingertips glow red.

I gasp for breath as the Wraith lunges for me, and instead of diving out of the way, I launch myself at it, my finger touching its leathery skin that hangs loosely from its skeletal frame. A bright red light explodes around me, the pain only increasing as my mouth opens; a whimper is all that breaks from between my lips as the Wraith releases an inhuman sound of rage and agony.

One moment, the tall figure is lording above me, flail in hand; the next, the light vanishes, and the cloak drops to the ground, the twitching Wraith curling in on itself, hands grasping at its chest as fire consumes its rotting body. The smell of burning flesh makes me gag as I stumble back, the arms of a guard catching me just as Vivian reaches my side. I gape at my hands then shake them a bit, trying not to freak out. First claws, now weird red magic that just melted a Wraith. Fuck, my head hurts.

Vivian’s green eyes alight with shock as she looks at the burning Wraith, which slowly stills and then crumbles to ash at our feet. “How did you do that?” she whispers, looking at me then freezing, a look of pure confusion crossing her face. Her mouth moves as I try to get my ears to stop ringing, and my heart stutters then drops as I read her lips. “Archer?” she rasps, stepping to move around me as I force my body to move despite the pain wracking my every limb.

“No!” I shout, turning and seeing the lighter version of Razar I had seen in my dream and on the wall before he released that arrow at his brother. His hood is down, light brown hair spilling over his shoulders as he watches his mother with vacant black eyes, arrow drawn and pointed at her chest. The gleam of onyx makes bile rise in my throat, the echo of pain radiating down my spine as I recall the impact of an arrow just like this lodging itself deep into my back. “Vivian, don’t!” I shout, grabbing her wrist and yanking her to me the moment Archer releases the arrow.