A Surrender Of Hope (Umbra Hunters #3)

34. Meyer

THIRTY-FOUR

Meyer

I lean against Lennox’s chest, eyes searching the dark landscape in front of us, waiting for Razar’s signal that it’s clear to move out of the forested area and to the rift between our worlds. It took us longer to get through the abandoned streets of Versipellis than Nox wanted, and I can feel how tense he is behind me, his eyes darting over the dark treeline of the forest, looking for his brother.

“We’re almost there,” I whisper, my hand grabbing his thick arm and wrapping it around my waist as I snuggle back into his chest. Nox releases a grunt, and I feel his lips on my hair—something he’s done so much over the last couple of days that it's starting to feel normal for us. His body relaxes into mine, his breath leaving him in a loud sigh as he nods and squeezes me tight to him.

“I know. I think the attack on the castle set me on edge. I’ll be fine,” he grinds out as Valen rides up next to us, Theo riding in the saddle behind him. Creed had eyed my friend, then adamantly said no when Nox instructed Theo to ride with him, leaving Valen to help Theo up into his monster horse's saddle before we took off several hours ago.

“What's the hold-up?” Valen looks from Nox to me and frowns. “You look tired,” he whispers, then shakes his head. “We should have waited for tomorrow to travel. My magic is depleted after the fight, your magic is low, and Meyer looks like she has not slept in days. This wasn't a smart idea.”

“I could’ve used a day after that knee to the nuts. This saddle is killing me,” Creed grumbles, shooting Theo a look that has my friend flipping him off.

“We had to get out before the Lords saw us leaving. We need to keep the appearance we’re still there as long as possible,” Nox mutters, then growls when he looks back toward the tree line. “Where the hell is he?”

“He thought he saw a pack of Beastia ahead and wanted to ensure the area is clear,” Creed whispers, scowling in the same direction. “Shit, I should’ve grabbed my coat before we left. It's going to be freezing on the North Ridge.”

“I have Elaine meeting us there with some supplies,” Nox grumbles, and Theo's eyes widen in alarm.

“My mom’s going to be there?” Nox slowly turns his head toward my friend and arches a brow.

“Is that a problem, Ranger?” he asks, annoyed.

“No,” Theo squeaks out while giving me a look that says it’s very much a problem. I can't imagine the hell Elaine is about to put her son through after he snuck into the Demon realm after us. I offer him a sympathetic look before I see something dark shift between the trees, Razar’s Beastia silently prowling toward us, his enormous body moving through the night like a deadly shadow.

“Beastia?” Nox asks the moment Raz is close. The black Beastia huffs, shaking its head in a jerky motion, and Nox nods. “Let's go,” he whispers.

“Hold up. I want to walk with Raz to the rift and make sure it's open before you show up with those two,” Jesthren points at me and Theo. “The last time I came through on this side, a Therion was attracted to the magic and didn't show until I was already there,” he says, hopping off his beige-colored Nuckelavee and holding his reigns out to Creed, who glares at him.

“Hmm, yeah, us too. Plus, I would rather not use the remainder of my magic to open it, and Valen’s tapped out,” Nox says and nods. “We’ll wait a few moments before following, but make sure Raz watches your back while you're connecting the rift. It takes more magic to open the Veil from here rather than Earth.”

“I know,” Jesthren states, shaking his reigns at Creed, who still hasn't taken them.

“No! That thing hates me, and you know it. The last time I tried feeding it for you, it almost took my damn nose off.”

“Well, what am I supposed to do with her? She is too loud and will attract more attention if there are Therion or Beastia. How far did you go to search? Did you go all the way? If you did, then we are probably good and don't need to go ahead,” Jesthren asks, looking at Razar’s Beastia, who flattens his ears in annoyance. “What does that mean?” he asks, looking to Nox, who shrugs.

“I can’t talk to him, Jesthren. Ask him a yes or no question and pray you don’t piss him off,” Nox suggests, and I snort when a growl rumbles from Razar’s chest.

“Did you go all the way to the rift?” I ask for the two men, saving them from Razar’s anger. The Beastia blinks at me once, then shakes his head and growls again.

“Right. So we need to go ahead,” Jesthren nods and glares at Creed to take his Nuckelavee. “Really?” he growls when Creed shrugs and nods to Valen.

“Have him take her.”

“I already have an extra,” Valen mutters, thumbing behind him at Theo and making Jesthren grunt and nod.

“That’s actually a good idea,” the big Demon Prince says, striding over to Theo and plucking him off Valen’s horse. Theo gapes down at Jesthren in surprise before he's heaved up onto the saddle on the beige Nuckelavee.

“That was not an idea! Shit! No, no, no,” Theo panics as he immediately tries to wiggle out of Jesthren’s hold and off the monster horse he just found himself on.

“Hold here and stop jerking around in the saddle, or she’ll buck you off,” Jesthren scolds, whacking Theo upside the head, making him glare down at the Demon Prince.

“I don’t know how to ride this thing,” he admits.

“Yeah, I got that from the mini meltdown you're currently having. You're not a toddler, hold the damn reins and man up. It's a Nuckelavee, not a Leviathan.” Jesthren rolls his eyes and forces Theo to grab the black leather reins before he nods in approval and turns to walk away.

“I hate you so much right now!” Theo grinds out, yelping when the Nuckelavee shifts and snorts, pawing at the ground.

“Oh no. Whatever shall I do?” Jesthren scoffs, clutching at his chest and smirking over his shoulder at Theo. Theo grinds his teeth together, and I briefly wonder if he’s going to do something stupid like throw the blade that his fingers are currently twitching toward at Jesthren’s face. Thankfully, my friend only glowers at the Prince, who shakes his head in amusement as he reaches down and pets Razar like he’s a giant puppy, and not a killing machine. I smile, glad to see I’m not the only one who isn’t scared of Razar’s Beastia, and eye Jesthren’s black gloves that protect his hands from the poison-tipped spikes on the Beastia’s back.

“I need some of those,” I whisper to Nox, but it's Jesthren who nods, overhearing me.

“I’ll make you a pair once we get this shit handled. You ready, buddy?” he asks Razar, scratching behind his big deformed ear, then laughing and jumping back as Razar snarls and nips at him. “I’m going to take that as a yes.”

“You're fucking insane. He’s going to kill you one day,” Nox remarks, watching the two with a bored expression. “I’ll wait five minutes, so you better run.”

“Five minutes? You think I need that much time?”

“Well, I figured in your old age, you were slowing down,” Nox casually says, making Creed snort and then slap his hand over his mouth as Valen bites his lip, trying to stifle the laugh breaking free at Jesthren's outraged expression.

“My… old… age? What the fuck?! I’m not old, Lennox! I’m just not a baby like you are.” Nox shrugs and chuckles, his big body shaking as I try to hide my grin behind my hand. “Give me two or three minutes tops. I’ll have it opened, and you will hear the Therion if they sense the magic,” Jesthren instructs as he turns away from us. “Five minutes,” he repeats under his breath, flipping Nox off as he starts to run away from us, his steps as silent as Razar’s, who runs at his side until they disappear from view.

“He’s so testy,” Nox teases as Creed gives into his laughter, wiping at his eyes as he tries to keep his laughter quiet.

“Did you see his face!? You’re lucky to be alive right now,” Creed mutters, and Valen nods in agreement, chuckling as he brings his monster horse closer to us and wiggles his fingers, signaling that he wants me to sit with him. I lean forward, ignoring Nox’s growl of disapproval as I let Valen pull me from Nox’s arms and into his.

“It’s nice to see you guys getting along,” Valen tells Nox as he tucks me in front of him, then tips my head up, so he can place a soft kiss on my lips.

“We’ll see if it’ll last,” Nox sighs, readjusting in his saddle as he watches me. “I kind of hope it does. It’s nice not having to watch my back when he’s around anymore. Maybe after all this is over, I can figure out how to co-exist with him. Jesthren has always had a good sense of people and politics, something I personally hate. It would be nice to have someone I trust to help where that’s concerned.”

“He would be the best option,” Valen agrees, urging his horse forward a few steps.

“Two minutes,” Creed whispers, and Nox smirks.

“Shall we see just how fast our big brother is?” he asks, delight filling his expression as he digs his heels into his Nuckelavee. “Try not to fall off,” he adds, nodding at Theo as he suddenly takes off with a click of his tongue. I gasp and cling to Valen’s arm as he follows, the rush of air making my hair a mess as I hear Theo shout in fear behind us.

I try to look over my shoulder to ensure he didn't get tossed off Jesthren’s monster horse, but I can't see anything. “Don't worry. Creed’s watching the Drakos boy,” Valen whispers against my ear, his warm breath making me shiver in his arms as we race across the open field, leaving the heavily forested area behind. Our horses run up the hill I remember crashing onto and rolling down, and I frown, making a mental note to shove Razar off the nearest high surface the moment the opportunity presents itself.

Once we crest the hill, I watch as Nox yanks his Nuckelavee to a stop right next to a glowing white light that hovers on the other side of the hill. I can make out Jesthren and Razar’s forms as Nox dismounts his horse and turns, waiting for Valen and me to reach him.

“Come on, we have to hurry,” he whispers, hands grabbing under my arms and pulling me from Valen’s horse as Creed and Theo gallop up the hill, the latter looking like he’s about to pass out as Jesthren’s Nuckelavee pulls to a sudden stop and sends my friend toppling forward, making him lose his balance and go sprawling on the ground with a surprised shout.

“Very graceful dismount,” Jesthren says with a laugh, walking over, grabbing Theo by the back of the shirt, and yanking him to his feet. “We’ll work on it the next time you ride.”

“There will be no next time,” Theo hisses, batting at Jesthren’s hands before cracking his neck to the side and trying to compose himself. “Fucking evil dragon horse things are as bad as the Demons are,” he grumbles, walking over to me, his eyes landing wearily on the glow of light in front of us. “Uhh, is this going to be like the first trip?”

“Yep,” Creed says cheerfully, taking way too much glee from Theo's pale and angry-looking face.

“Great,” I groan, turning to look for Razar and blinking in surprise when I find him standing right next to me, no longer in his Beastia form, with his cloak pulled low over his face. I step back, then nod at him to go first.

“There’s nothing to push you off. Stop freaking out,” he clips out, sounding annoyed at my hesitation to be next to him.

“Yeah, well, you’re creative and would figure something out,” I point out.

“I want Valen and Creed to go first, take Ranger Drakos with you. Elaine should be on the other side of the rift, meaning the area should be clear of Beastia. Razar and Jesthren follow Meyer and me when we cross,” Nox commands, grabbing my hand and nodding to me as he steps us closer to the light. “Jes, I want you to close the Veil behind us.”

“Sure,” Jesthren agrees, grabbing some things from his horse's pack, before patting it and shooing it away. “I have the General coming to grab them and have spelled the area to keep their scents hidden from predators. Vega should only be an hour or so behind us.”

“Thank you,” Nox mutters as I step even closer to the magic, loving the feel of it on my skin. The red mark on my wrist lights up and I glare at it, hating that I have no control over it or whatever magic is inside me.

Jesthren’s magic rushes around us all, the same odd feeling washing over me like a warm hug, and I can’t help but wonder what it is about his magic that makes me feel that way. It's nothing like the way I feel around my guys, but it's nice all the same.

“Deep breath in, Little Demon. This will be just like before only we’re moving up, instead of falling down. It helps if you can hold your breath through the initial ascent,” he says, leaning down and studying my face for a moment, looking a little worried. “Are you feeling alright?” he asks, and I nod. I’m tired, sure, but nothing a good night's rest won’t fix. “Hmm, okay. Hold my hand, and don’t let it go. The pressure will be worse if I hold you, so I’m just going to keep you close, alright?”

“We need to go; I can hear something getting close,” Razar’s deep voice startles me as I look away from the glowing magic and up into his black-green eyes.

“Go,” Nox instructs, and I watch as Valen grabs Theo, and the three of them step into the white magic. The glow brightens for a moment before returning to normal. “Are you ready?” I swallow hard and nod.

“Yep,” I whisper, sounding more confident than I feel as Nox stops us right before the warm magic.

“Deep breath,” he reminds me, and I inhale, filling my lungs with as much air as I can. Nox propels us forward, and the white magic wraps around us, the dark night fading into a blinding light as I’m suddenly yanked off my feet.

Green and white magic encompass me before the world around me slows until I’m floating in a soft glow of brilliant white light. I can feel Nox’s hand tighten around mine just as intense pressure hits me, like it's trying to shove the air from my lungs.

Shit, this sucks!

One moment, we’re frozen in the air; the next, we jerk forward with renewed speed, the soft light moving into a dark blue color as glimmering white light strikes past me like shooting stars. The sight is the same as before, only I frown as something swirls with dark magic in front of us just as the pressure releases in my chest, and I feel like I can breathe again.

“What the fuck,” I hear Nox snarl, his hand pulling me to him as the darkness grows, snuffing out the shooting stars as it expands. I reach out and cling to Nox with both hands, eyes locked on the black hole in front of us as my ears pop, and I can feel a cold rush of frigid mountain air on my face.

“Nox?” I rasp, a thrill of excitement racing down my spine just as a familiar sense of dread pools in my belly. Nox curses as something shoots from the darkness, coming at us so fast we have no time to prepare for the brutal hit that yanks me from Lennox’s arms. My head snaps back with the force of the hit, and I see more than just stars spinning around me as I try to regain my slowly darkening vision.

“No!” I hear Nox roar, his magic springing toward me just as several Wraiths circle around him, blocking me from his sight. My hands heat, and I see red sparks forming at my fingertips.

“Lennox!” I scream, needing to get to him, but my body is completely out of my control.

“Meyer!” I hear Razar bellow as I flip toward the darkness before me, unable to stop my momentum.

“I’ve got her! Help Nox!” I hear Jesthren say as he spins past me, his big hand reaching for my own. “Grab my hand!” I grit my teeth and stretch my arm out, trying desperately to reach for his open hand. Jesthren’s panicked eyes dart to the right, and he snarls. “Now, Meyer!” he screams, fear encompassing his features as something heavy hits me on the side, knocking the air from me and sending me spiraling into the dark abyss.

I groan, my body aching as I slowly wake up and roll to my side in the cold snow, hating how numb my fingers and toes feel. The sound of fighting forces me out of the blissful darkness of my mind and brings every dull ache and pain I feel along with it.

“What the hell?” I rasp, attempting to open my eyes, then groaning as I try to place where I am. My hands wiggle in the fluffy white snow under me, and I gasp, sitting upright, eyes springing open as I look around. The sun is setting over a familiar mountain peak, and snow is blowing around me, creating small drifts everywhere I look. There’s a grunt, then a scream, and I shrink back down, the sounds of a fight growing as I slowly push myself to my knees and make my way forward. Concern and fear hit me square in the chest when I realize no one is with me on the North Ridge, and I can only hope one of the guys is close.

“Grab her!” something dark hisses, its words sounding inhuman as another scream tears through the air. My heart pounds painfully in my chest, my hand falling to my thigh holster, and I stiffen when I see only two blades are there. The rest must have been lost when I was hit in the Veil.

“Dammit,” I whisper, grabbing one of the blades as I army crawl over to a drift nearby, using it as cover as I push myself up to peer over and take in the fight happening next to me. My mouth drops open in shock as I try and fail to count the amount of dead Wraiths lying on the ground nearby. There has to be dozens of them! I spot a few Umbra Hunters strewn on the ground next to them, their unseeing eyes staring up at the sky, making my stomach roll when I see all of them dressed in black and red, telling me they are from the Drakos line.

At the center of it all is another ten Wraiths surrounding a woman who looks like she’s bleeding profusely from her side as she fights. The trail of dead Wraiths behind her abundant as she moves so fast I have difficulty keeping up.

Long brown hair spins as she ducks and deals blows, fighting off the Wraiths and killing two of them faster than I can keep up. Several of the Wraiths dart back, two raising their flails to strike, but one screams at them in a language I can't understand, and they drop their weapons as the woman's blue magic strikes one in the chest, and it crumples lifeless to the ground. The magic sends her stumbling back just as four Wraiths leap at her, and she goes crashing down to the ground with a pained grunt.

“No!” I whisper, moving my hand and raising it up as I take aim, just as twenty or more Wraiths emerge into the clearing, making me pause. Nine Wraiths we might be able to fight off… but this many? I narrow my eyes and toss one more desperate look around for the guys, but no one but me and this woman are left on this mountainside with all these Wraiths.

One of the cloaked bastards mutters something, glowing red magic circling the woman and yanking her to her feet as I slowly begin to stand, ready to do whatever I can to help her. But when her soft brown eyes meet mine, my heart stops, pain echoing in my chest as Elaine stares at me. Her mouth parts with a gasp, her eyes looking around us before she rolls her lips together and looks back at me, slowly shaking her head, and then gesturing for me to hide.

I duck a little, ensuring I’m mostly covered by the snow drift, all while keeping eye contact with her. I know she’s telling me not to do anything; she knows as much as I do that this is not a good situation and we have no hope of getting out of it without any help, but I can't help but shake my head and glare, refusing to leave her.

Her eyes narrow on me, anger climbing in them as she looks around, making sure we aren’t being watched as the Wraiths speak amongst themselves in their harsh foreign language. Elaine nods in the direction of the castle and shakes her head again and I curse, not sure what to do.

Fuck, where are the guys? Why aren't they here? Are they safe? Are they hurt? Panic swells within me as I drop down and close my eyes, feeling sick to my stomach.

“Where are you taking me? Let me go!” Elaine snarls, making my hands shake as I hear the Wraiths leave, taking Elaine with them.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck! ” I rasp, palming my blade as I wait, letting the sound of them walking through the snow fade. I look in the direction of the castle, then to the ridge where the Veil appeared the first time we crossed. Only nothing’s there now—only wind and snow.

I take a deep breath and nod, looking around me before making up my mind. I want to find the guys and make sure they’re okay, but I can't leave Elaine with the Wraiths. Fighting may not have been an option at the moment, but that doesn't mean we’ll stay outnumbered forever. As long as I don't lose their path, I can follow them and wait to get Elaine out of their hands without both of us dying.

Standing, I start to move through the snow, careful to walk lightly as I track the footprints of the Wraiths. “You’ve got this,” I whisper, trying to keep myself calm as I pick up my pace, all while praying that the guys are okay and will find us before something really awful happens.