Page 47 of Silent Shadow

Hunter smiled; his gaze filled with warmth. “I’d like that.”

They returned to Mercy’s cottage under the cover of night, the air crisp and cool as they stood together on the cliff’s edge.The stars twinkled above them, the ocean stretching out before them like an endless expanse of possibility.

Hunter turned to Mercy; his expression serious but filled with affection. “Ready?”

Mercy nodded, feeling her emotions already beginning to soar. With a final glance at each other, they shifted into their falcon forms, their wings spreading wide as they took to the sky.

Together, they soared above the cliffs.

Hunter circled high above, his sharp eyes catching sight of Mercy soaring below him. In his falcon form, everything felt sharper, clearer—the wind beneath his wings, the warmth of the setting sun, and most of all, the pull toward her. She was a part of him now, bound by something deeper than words, something primal. He dipped a wing, catching the updraft that carried him effortlessly higher.

Below, Mercy caught sight of him, her sleek falcon body tilting as she adjusted her course. The connection between them was undeniable, a magnetic force that drew her closer. They danced together in the sky, wings spread wide as they rode the shifting currents of air, their movements synchronized in a delicate balance of instinct and skill.

Hunter flew with wild exhilaration. The moon hung low on the horizon, casting the night sky in hues of inky blue, purple, and silver. It was a fleeting moment of peace, a reprieve from the chaos that had consumed their lives in recent days. But here, in the sky, there was only the two of them soaring through the heavens, their sharp eyes locked in an unspoken exchange.

Hunter let out a sharp cry, and Mercy answered, her powerful wings flaring as she rose to meet him. They circled eachother, their movements precise and calculated, each adjusting their position by mere fractions as they tested the air between them. It was more than just a flight—it was a silent conversation, a challenge, and an invitation all at once.

Without warning, Hunter dove. He plummeted from the sky with terrifying speed, his talons outstretched, locking onto Mercy’s in a powerful grip. The force of the dive sent them spiraling downward, the wind screaming past them as they hurtled toward the earth in a chaotic tumble of feathers and wings.

He could hear Mercy laughing in her mind; she wasn’t afraid. She knew this wasn’t an attack—it was a test, a wild, reckless dance that only they could understand. She flared her wings, fighting to steady herself, but Hunter held on, his grip firm, his talons entwined with hers.

The ground rushed toward them, the rocky cliffs and churning sea growing closer by the second. Hunter’s falcon eyes glinted with challenge as he watched her, waiting to see how she would respond. And then, at the last possible second, he released her.

Mercy flared her wings, pulling up just before she hit the ground. She shifted seamlessly, her falcon form dissolving into her human body as her feet touched the earth with a soft thud. She rolled to her feet, breathless but exhilarated, her pulse racing from the adrenaline of the dive.

Hunter landed beside her, his falcon form shimmering as he shifted back into his human self. His chest heaved with the thrill of the flight; his dark eyes gleaming with amusement as he looked at her. "Well done," he murmured, his voice low and teasing.

Mercy shook her head, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "You always have to have the last word, don’t you?"

Hunter grinned, stepping closer. "Only when I know I’ve won."

She laughed at him, the intensity of the connection between them always there. He knew that she felt it as strongly as he did, a pull that went beyond words, beyond reason. It was the same force that had drawn them together, the same force that had changed their lives forever.

But this wasn’t the moment for doubt. Mercy looked wild and magical and free, but most of all, she looked happy and at peace. The moon was sinking lower, the sky’s darkness just starting to abate.

"Come on," Hunter said softly, his voice pulling her from her thoughts. He extended his hand, his touch warm and grounding. "We’ve earned a moment to ourselves."

Mercy smiled and took his hand. Together, they stepped to the edge of the cliff, the wind whipping around them as the moon dipped closer to the horizon. Without a word, they shifted again, their bodies dissolving into the sleek forms of falcons, wings spread wide as they took to the air once more.

The sky was their domain now, their sanctuary. They flew together, side by side, their movements graceful and free. The world below seemed to fade away as they soared higher, carried by the wind and the strength of their bond.

Hunter glanced at Mercy as they flew, a feeling of pride and love rising within him. She was fierce, powerful, and utterly fearless—a warrior in every sense of the word. And she was his.

The moon dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in deep hues of purple and orange. As they flew into the fading light, Hunter knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.

They were more than just falcons, more than just vampires, shifters, or fae. They were partners—two souls bound by fate, soaring through the sky as one.

In his mind, he could hear her intone,‘Second star to the right, and straight on till morning.’The future stretched out before them like the endless sky, vast and full of possibilities. They didn’t know what it might hold, but for now, they had each other. And that was enough.

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