by Kelly Hall
“Not yet, but it’s only noon.”
Soon after, the dinner bell rang across the courtyard. Rebekah held her stomach as another pang of hunger rattled her empty gut. “At least something is working in my favor.”
“Excuse me, Huntress,” Brock said behind her. “Me and my men will be skipping this meal. We’re going to gather privately for our fallen and dine in the east tower together.”
“Of course,” she said. “It looks like I will be leaving soon again. I’ll let you know the details as soon as possible. I don’t think I’ll have to take a large group.” She knew she wouldn’t need his men. It would be better for the least conspicuous to go with her. Probably only one person could help her blend in with a bunch of young recruits.
She glanced over to see Jarreth and Delilah walking into the castle together.
“Just let me know if you need me,” said Brock.
“Thank you, again.”
“My honor.” He gave her a salute and then walked off toward the east tower with his men.
“Let’s get inside. I need to clean up and eat. Then I think me and Delilah will have a talk.”
She went up to her room after a brief welcome, and once she was cleaned up, she headed back down to the dining hall where the others were still gathering, including Aziel, who had a child-like, lost look in his eyes.
He and Tula walked in together, her clutching his arm as she walked him to their seats. Rebekah wondered how the naiad was managing her health and was sure Ignis was on top of that situation.
She stood at the head of the table as Lulu walked around, filling the glasses at each setting as the others made small talk. Lulu backed away, and Ignis rose with the others to await her seating.
Rebekah sat, and after Ignis pushed in her chair, the others sat with him.
“Welcome back, Huntress,” said Frankie. “Jarreth.” She turned to give him a look. “I’m glad you’re both back safely. I was sorry to hear about Jones.”
“Thank you, Frankie. We’ve suffered a great loss indeed. He fought valiantly. Let’s raise our glasses for him.” She picked up her glass, as did the others, and gave him a toast. Once their glasses were back on the table, she cleared her throat. “I’m afraid my stay won’t be long. I’ve been called to New Orleans on business.”
Tula sat up a little higher in her seat. “Is this about me and Aziel? I can assure you, my sister gave me permission to come. Besides, I’m a grown woman, and she’s not the boss of me, Rebekah.”
Rebekah smiled to put the naiad at ease. “No, Tula. It’s not about your visit. We’re happy you and Aziel have come, and I hope that we can help him remember how special he is to us all.”
She glanced at Jarreth, who let out a sigh, only to catch Delilah nudging him.
Jarreth straightened in his seat. “Welcome home, buddy.” He took a drink and gave Del a hard look.
“Thank you,” said the former angel.
Father Timms turned his attention toward Rebekah. “What is this next business trip, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“Not at all. It’s about the Church. They have decided to try and make their new hunters, after all. And from what I can tell, they have been trying to figure out a way to do things without me. I need them to know that they can’t still use the daggers we’ve been using. They are liable to injure the hunters.”
“Who will be going on this mission?” asked Delilah.
“Funny you should ask,” said Rebekah. “I’ve already decided that you and I should go alone.”
“Alone?” Jarreth asked. “Why not let me go with?”
“Because I’m trying to be discreet, and with your reputation at that particular academy, I don’t think you’re the right choice. Besides, I’m not looking for a battle. We’re going to try and infiltrate the crowd and see what’s going on. When the time is right, I’ll come forward and tell them what’s going on. It shouldn’t be too big of a deal. In and out is my hope.”
“I’d love to go,” said Delilah, who immediately turned toward Jarreth. “You don’t get to have all the fun, you know?”
“Yeah, because my last battle was a cakewalk,” he said, giving her a sideward look. “But as long as you think it’s all you need, Rebekah, then that’s good enough for me.”
“Good. I need you here in case the stigmata rears its ugly head, and you can help Aziel with training.”
“Training?” Jarreth slumped like she had just asked him to wipe the angel’s ass.
“Yes, make sure he hasn’t forgotten how to fight. We may need his strength.” She smiled at Aziel, hoping that some of the sparring might trigger his memories.
“Thank you,” he said again. “I’d like to feel as if I can be of some use. Everyone’s been so kind.”
“That’s because we love you,” said Delilah. “You are our family.”
“And my boyfriend,” said Tula, who leaned in and kissed his cheek. Aziel didn’t seem to mind, but Rebekah thought she might need to talk to Ignis about that. It wasn’t fair to take advantage of Aziel’s condition. As far as she knew, the two were just friends.
“When do we leave?” asked Delilah. “I’ll need time to pack.” She smiled at Jarreth, knowing full well she needed time to be with him as well. She’d missed him too much to rush off without a proper welcome home and a proper sendoff for her.
Rebekah could tell by the look in her eyes that she needed more than packing time. “We’ll leave as soon as possible, so if there is anything you need to take care of, I’d get right on it.” She picked up her glass to hide her smile, but the innuendo wasn’t lost on everyone.
Canter chuckled and then shook his head, and Mace gave a little “woot” from the other end of the table. They all shared a laugh as Delilah’s face turned red and Jarreth grinned ear to ear.
“Will you be speaking with Michael about the book?” Ignis asked.
“I can’t right now, but I will as soon as I get back. They haven’t left me any time for anything else, I’m afraid. But we shouldn’t be long.”
“Maybe by the time you get back, I’ll have the language cracked.”
“Let’s hope so.” She looked across the table at Aziel and wished that they could help each other. Then she wondered what on earth happened between him and Michael for such a thing to happen to him in the first place. She couldn’t help but think it was her fault.
Chapter 29
After a small sendoff, where Jarreth and Delilah spent their last few moments together kissing, the two were aboard the plane, and it was off the ground. And even though hours had passed, Delilah still had a giddy look in her eyes as she texted him.
“When are you going to marry that young man?” asked Rebekah. “If we’ve learned anything lately, it’s that life’s short, Delilah, and the life of a hunter adds even more crazy to the mix—times two when you’re in love with one.”
“I don’t know. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. If he were to ask me again, I’d say yes this time.”
“Maybe you should tell him that.”
“Maybe I will. With what happened with Katie, it just seems like now isn’t the time.”
“I think Canter would be happy for you. As a matter of fact, I know it. He loves you like you’re his family. When he left, he gave me specific requests for the two of you. Especially you. You’re like his sister, you know?”
“I know, and that’s why I think we should wait a bit. At least until it’s not likely to sting.”
“The thing about stings is they don’t last. He’ll be fine, Delilah. Don’t hold back on your happiness. He needs to see that love still exists so he can heal. He’ll meet someone else, you know? And that person will fill every hole left in his heart.”
“I hope so. I’m really not as worried about him as I am Aziel. Just when I thought I had him back, he’s broken.”
“Let’s hope it’s not beyond repair. But I guess if we all have to start fresh, at least he’s alive.”
“He’s not the
same,” said Delilah. “The light and life are gone from his eyes.”
“He’s adjusting.”
“And then there’s Tula. I mean, are you kidding me? Her boyfriend? She took that opportunity and ran with it.”
“I agree, but don’t forget the two of them did have a special friendship, and while I’m not sure it was on that level, I’m pretty sure it might have led there. At least he has someone looking out for him. She’s managed to get him all the way to Ireland without any problems.” Thinking of their long journey, she couldn’t help but wonder if Tula killed anyone on the way. She hoped they’d found a good salad bar instead.
“Yeah, she takes care of him all right. Jarreth said to be nice to her or else she’ll try and eat me. He said that’s why he kissed her.” She made a face.
“Tula has a way of putting men in a trance, so I wouldn’t take it personally.”
Delilah frowned and closed her eyes. “I’m going to try and rest and not think about it.”
She lay peacefully reclined in her seat as Rebekah called Hoyt, and by the time the plane landed, he had made arrangements for them to be picked up.
On the way to the academy, Rebekah turned toward Delilah, who sat behind her. “We’ve got to be very discreet,” said Rebekah.
“Then you might want to dress down a bit.”
“I wore jeans. What else do you want?”
“The jeans are fine, but it’s the leather jacket and daggers I’m referring to.”
“I don’t know how else to hide my weapons,” she said with a shrug.
“And we’re not fighting this trip, right? At least, if we can help it.”
“You have a point about the jacket, but I’m not leaving my weapons alone in this place.” She’d already had bad luck being away from them once recently, and that would not happen again if she could help it. “I’ll just need to figure out a way to wear my weapons higher or hide them under a hoodie.”
“I’m sure we can figure out something,” said Delilah as the car pulled into the academy.
Commander Hoyt Dixon stood pacing at the gates. “Ah, I’m so glad you’re right on time. I need to get you to the commander’s quarters at once. I’ve said a couple of my nieces would be arriving, so my second is off my trail for the moment. But the ceremony starts in two hours.”
“Good. Get us inside. I need to find something to wear.”
They were whisked away to the commander’s quarters, where Hoyt, who looked more stressed than Rebekah had ever seen him, showed them to their rooms. “I’d like to stick around and chat,” he said. “But I’m afraid I have to get things ready. Just remember that you’re my nieces, Summer and Autumn. If you can, try and look a bit younger.” He left them and hurried out.
Rebekah plopped on the bed in Delilah’s room, where the young huntress had dropped her pack. “I’ll be Summer,” Rebekah said. “Autumn was a bad season for me. Could you braid my hair?”
“Sure,” said Delilah with a laugh. “Who would have thought it would have come to this with us?”
“I don’t know. I think we’re a lot alike, you and me. I think we make sense as friends.” She had thought a lot about the talk she’d had with Canter about her.
She nodded. “I guess you’re right. I’m glad we’re able to get along. With Katie gone, I miss girl time.” She took out her makeup bag, where she had stuck a few ponytail holders for the trip, and sat beside Rebekah. “Turn around. I’ll see what I can do.”
“We’re going to go into the assembly and hang out in the back. Act like you belong, and if for some reason you see anyone you know, avoid them. We don’t want to be recognized.”
“I can handle that. I only talked to a few people, but most of them are already out in the field. But now that your face is spread all over the internet, you might want to wear a disguise or some makeup. I have contour if you need it. Katie turned me onto it, but I haven’t had a chance to use it. It makes me feel like a clown, especially highlighter. I don’t know how other girls pull it off.”
“We’re not like some other girls in a lot of ways. But I’m okay with it.” Rebekah held up a mirror she found in Delilah’s bag and frowned. “I think if I want to look younger, I’ll just go with no eye makeup and a little lip gloss.”
“You’re so confident,” she said with a laugh. “It’s really frustrating.”
“Not always. I was terrified when I was younger. I was only twenty when I became the Huntress, and even though I was strong enough to survive the change, I still had to endure the lifestyle. It was a long time before I found my place, and there are even days now when I’m uncertain. That’s life, I suppose.”
“I would have thought it would get easier over time,” said Delilah as she put the band around Rebekah’s braid.
“That should work.” Delilah finished with Rebekah’s hair, and she got up to look in the mirror. “Wow, I do look young already, don’t I?”
“Eternally. One day, I’ll grow old, and you won’t. We’ll compare again then, but I might not like you as much as I do now.” Delilah laughed.
“You mean you like me?” After all the tension between them, she hoped that Delilah finally approved, and it had been years since she’d sought the approval of anyone.
Delilah gave her a nudge. “Yeah, you’re all right. Just stay away from Brock. He’s an old man. And look at you. You look young enough to be his daughter.”
Rebekah glanced into the mirror. “I see what you mean. We could be sisters. But really, I’m far older than him. When you’re immortal, it’s different.”
“He’s still not a good fit.” Delilah gave her a hard look.
Laughing, Rebekah patted her on the back. “Relax, Delilah. I’ve already put the brakes on that. We’re just friends, and he knows it as well as I do.”
Delilah hesitated a little, and then she took a deep breath to find the courage to speak. “And what about Kayne?”
The question took the Huntress by surprise. It was not only brave, but considering it was what had them at odds to begin with, it was seemingly a step backward. “What do you know about that?”
Delilah gave her a sideward look. “Come on, Rebekah. Deny it all you want, but I saw the look in both your eyes.”
She didn’t want to get into it with her. It wasn’t the time, and besides, things were going too well between them. “I don’t need anyone hating me. I’d rather spend the rest of my days alone.”
Delilah wasn’t going to encourage Rebekah to be with the vampire, but she wished that there was someone out there made for her. Someone tailored just right, like Jarreth was for her.
After they finished with their girl moment and looked like two freshman trainee wannabees, they left the room, hoping that they wouldn’t be seen by anyone who would know them.
They walked out into the crowd. Soon, the room was full, and they stood in the back, blending in. “So far, so good, Summer,” said Delilah.
“Don’t jinx us, Autumn,” said Rebekah, knowing how things could be fine one moment and blow up in your face the next. “The ceremony is just beginning.”
“I bet you twenty the nieces have another sister named Winter,” said Delilah, gaining a smile from the Immortal Huntress, which was no small feat when they were on a mission.
The lights dimmed barely enough to make a difference, certainly not enough to put them off guard, and Commander Dixon took the stage. The crowd cheered as he took the podium, but he raised his hand, and silence fell across the room.
“Thank you, everyone. I’m excited to be here for this holy ceremony.” Dixon’s expressions didn’t match his words, and Rebekah was certain that he was saying what was expected of him. “I’d like to welcome you all here to celebrate this ceremony as we mark a new hunter to the New Fellowship and a new beginning for all of us.”
There were some cheers, but many of the young cadets didn’t applaud. Instead, they whispered and looked around the room at one another. But it didn’t stop Dixon’s flow.
“
I usually have the privilege of conducting the ceremonies, but tonight, we have a special guest with us who is going to do the honors.”
Rebekah held her breath, hoping this wasn’t about to be some kind of setup. But thankfully, Dixon followed through. “Please help me welcome, all the way from Rome, Elder Wick.” The same response of claps and confusion filled the air, and it was as if many of the young men and women expected the Immortal Huntress to be the special guest.
“Thank you,” said Elder Wick, who stood with his chin up high. “I’m delighted to be here for what marks a new day and a new Fellowship. No longer are we going to be misled by the Immortal Huntress, a woman whose own imperfections have led us astray, and who at this very hour is rejoicing over the killing of many of her own men. Guards who were slaughtered, some beheaded mind you, during an attack on Arcadius yesterday.”
Gasps fell across the crowd, and while most seemed like they didn’t want to believe it, others were jeering as if they believed him.
“Asshole,” whispered Delilah. “They don’t know about the stigmata or how they gave you that ridiculous task of hunting a vampire you can’t kill or capture.”
“They don’t care. They just want someone to lead. And while I’m off chasing ghosts, this is what the Church is doing to replace me. I have to stop this. I have to show them I’m worthy.”
Rebekah took off toward the stage, and as she made her way through the crowd, still trying to be discreet, Elder Wick continued.
“With this change comes others, and while we are proud of the fine establishment, the trainees, and the hunters of this academy, it is with disappointment that I make this next announcement. It seems your beloved Commander is retiring.” The crowd jeered, and Dixon’s eyes were wide with shock that proved he knew nothing of the announcement. “Yes, it’s a great sadness, I’m sure. But tonight will be his last with the New Orleans Academy. So, if you will, please do me the honor of welcoming your new superior, a woman whose bravery and leadership will be the example for many years to come, Commander Sage Miller.”
Delilah, who had taken off behind the Immortal Huntress, prepared to follow her anywhere, stopped in her tracks as her heart dropped. “What the actual fuck?”
