Page 82 of An Empress of Air & Chaos

But tonight, the Tower was the safest place to be. And that’s where Emara was staying.

Gideon left the final briefing before tonight’s hunt with a slight unease. As he walked with Marcus to the dining hall for dinner, he ran over the meeting in his head. Viktir had been truly clear in what was to be done tonight. He always was. But something was off.

Marcus had handed out a detailed map that he had constructed with Murk Baxgroll, the pack’s Alpha, for them to study. The clan was going into the Ashdale Forest to hunt and everyone in Caledorna knew that it was Shifter territory.

Wolfen territory.

Murk had also joined the briefing, advising that his pack would be on the lookout for anything that moved in their woods that wasn’t supposed to. The pack had noticed a large increase of animal slaughtering in their woods, which was a sign that demons were taking up residence, hiding in the trees waiting to strike. The demons were gathering strength, consuming whatever blood they could get their hands on before they attacked. Murk had advised that he wasn’t quite sure how many demons could be lurking within the Ashdale Forest, as the area was vast and deep, expanding for miles each side, so he had pulled his pack together to work with the Hunters to rid Ashdale of them.

A clever move from the Alpha.

It increased the numbers on their side and Gideon was keen to fight with the wolves; it would hopefully make the hunt sleek and quick, plus it had been a long time since they had joined forces.

Not only that, but he seemed to have other things on his mind that didn’t involve arrows and gore, but instead, involved full, red lips and a flowing abundance of black hair, mixed up in his hands.

“I think the hunt should be swift tonight,” confirmed Marcus. “I know it’s a Blood Moon, and it usually causes chaos, but I think the Hunters merging with the wolves will be deadly.” A coolness washed over his face. “For the demons.”

Marcus lived and breathed for the hunt. A man who had been shunned by his own father for not making the top one in the Selection process, he was dumped on the doorstep of his father’s closest cousin—which just so happened to be Viktir Blacksteel.

Marcus’ father had sent him with nothing but a note that instructed Viktir to train him, to evolve his skills and make him a warrior fit for the top selection. And he had.

In doing so, Viktir claimed him for his own. If he trained with the Blacksteel Clan, he fought for the Blacksteel Clan; therefore, Marcus never returned to his family in the west.

However, a Hunting clan was a Hunting clan, no matter where they came from. Their sole purpose was to defend this world until they took their last breath.

It wasn’t a longshot to say that Viktir was rather fond of Marcus for proving himself worthy. He was a Blacksteel out of blood. Marcus often teased Gideon about the brutality of his training from Viktir as a boy, stating that Gideon’s, in comparison, was a walk in the gardens.

But everyone knew that Viktir Blacksteel’s training was no walk in the gardens.

“We shouldn’t count our chickens before they have hatched—you taught me that. ‘Expect the unexpected.’” Gideon quoted Marcus’ words back to him in a voice that sounded just like him.

“Boy, you better not be making a fool of me. I taught you how to shoot an arrow exactly through the point you aim it at, don’t forget that” He joked as he swaggered down the corridor.

“I won’t forget it.” Gideon was serious. He wouldn’t forget the work Marcus had put in to ensure Gideon would make the top one in Selection. To ensure, he wouldn’t suffer the same fate as him.

“I still remember the first time you shot your first bullseye like it was yesterday. And then ripped your hand open on the fighting knife in your belt.” Marcus boomed out a hearty laugh that made his brown eyes close. “You got so excited, you forgot your weapon belt was still attached, and when you danced around—”

“I was eight years old,” Gideon challenged. A laugh came from Marcus before they settled into a walk. “Do you feel like something is off tonight?” He turned to his brother.

“Like I said, it should be an easy win with the wolves helping out. Just keep your mind in check. Keep focus. Don’t let anything distract you.” He moved in front of Gideon and folded his arms, blocking his way.

Gideon ran a hand through his hair, remaining calm. “I am always focused. What are you talking about?”

He let out a laughy breath. “All I am saying is, I’ve been there before. Every guy has. We all know what it is like to be distracted.” He smirked. “You have a couple of hours to get your head straight before we leave for the hunt. If I were you”—Marcus hinted, raising his eyebrows—“I would go and take care of that situation.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Gideon swallowed the lie down his throat. “There is no situation.”

“Gideon, I have seen you with her. I saw you in the gardens with her yesterday, in fact. All you need to do is tell her how you feel and then it’s gone. Off your chest. Get it out there. Or get it in there, if you know what I mean…” Marcus slapped Gideon’s shoulder.

Was Marcus really insinuating that he should have sexual relations to calm his mind?

His face felt a little flushed. “Of course I comprehend what you are trying to insinuate, but nothing is going on.” He pushed all his weight onto his feet, pulling his toes back in his boots.

Gideon wasn’t concerned about his concentration regarding the Blood Moon mission. What Gideon couldn’t take his mind off of was his mission under the confidential orders of his commander. And no matter how he felt about it, no matter how much it made his skin prickle with a cold sweat, he would complete the mission without question.

Even if it did involve Emara Clearwater…

“Gideon, I am a man. You are a man.”

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