Page 25 of Hunter

“My wolves have cleared out,” Ember said softly, as if he could read Kana’s mind. His hand was resting on top of Kana’s, so Kana turned his over so their palms were aligned and then curled his fingers around Ember’s. “Shannon is on the house’s roof, keeping an eye on the situation. Turns out, the hunter’s association has a coordination system in place for when they have to apprehend someone within the police’s jurisdiction. Ary’s boss showed up at the same time as I got the call that you had been kidnapped. He apparently wanted to have a word with you—something about salt?—but when he heard what had happened, he decided to work with us to get you back.”

“House is clear, Alpha. What should we do with the witches?” someone asked Ember.

“They violated multiple national magical treaties,” Ary said. “They’re coming with me and will be subject to the will of a tribunal. Although…” He paused as if he were looking at something. “It would be good to know what Kana did to Samantha.”

“No magic,” Kana forced out, and when speaking didn’t exacerbate his stomach, he continued. “I blocked her ability to access all of her magic. She might be able to light a candle now, but she definitely won’t be drawing a full spell circle ever again.”

“She was part of the coven’s inner circle!” a youthful-sounding woman exclaimed. “How dare you!”

“She’s not the kind of person you want in an inner circle. Too cruel and mean,” Kana interjected. “The coven will be better off with her gone.”

“EMTs are here,” another voice said. “Alpha, with your permission, I would like to search the house for evidence for the tribunal. Is there anything you would like to have if we find it?”

More voices approached, getting louder as they got closer to Kana. They must be the EMTs.

“I’m going with Kana to the hospital,” Ember replied. “Shannon will stay here, so if you find anything you’re not sure about, ask him.” Ember’s thumb stroked the back of Kana’s hand. “I’m sure Kana would appreciate getting any spell books you might find,” he added.

“Will do,” the stranger, who Kana guessed might be Ary’s boss, said. “I have a car coming with backup to take the witches into custody. Once they’re gone, Shannon can stop being lookout.”

Ember’s hand loosened, and he pulled away. “It’s his head,” he said.

A thud sounded where Ember had been sitting and then a creak as if someone’s pants were too tight at the knee when they kneeled.

“We’re going to have to get a neck brace on you, son,” the EMT said. He placed a hand on Kana’s shoulder, then choked and yanked it off. “Is that a cat?”

Mika meowed pointedly. Sora meowed as well, which meant he had switched forms again, and snickered when the EMT let out a surprised gasp.

“Both cats will be coming with us in the ambulance,” Ember said. “Can you work around the one under his head?” When the EMT didn’t answer right away, Ember continued. “We know he doesn’t have a neck or back injury, just a nasty hit to the head. Can we skip the brace?”

“No. We don’t want his head rolling around on the ride over. Besides, the cat will have to move for the CT scan anyway.”

“Mika,” Kana said. Mika grumbled, but bobbed his head in a nod.

Someone held Kana’s head to stabilize him while Mika crawled out, and then contraptions were tied around him. He was tilted so they could slide a board underneath him, which was then also tied to him.

Ember’s hand found Kana’s again after he was in the ambulance, two cats curled against his body. Kana held on as tightly as he could, and Ember squeezed back.

Kana had no doubt Ember had dozens of other things he ought to be doing right now, especially after attacking the witch’s house. His wolves needed him, but Kana also needing him was more important to Ember right now. At least, that was how Kana was interpreting the situation, and somehow he didn’t think he was wrong.

Instead of doubting himself, Kana held on to Ember and, despite everything else going on around them, let himself relax in the warmth Ember’s presence and his love imparted.

Epilogue

KANA CANCELED THE lease on his apartment two months after he got out of the hospital. There was no point in paying for something he wasn’t using.

“The final inspection looks good,” his landlord said as she walked out of the completely empty bedroom and back into the living room where Kana and Sora were waiting. “Your security deposit will be returned to you at the forwarding address you put on file. Expect it in about six weeks.”

She shook Kana’s hand and waved for him to precede her to the door. Kana took one last look around the apartment, surprised he wasn’t sad about leaving it behind. This was the first truly habitable place he, Mika, and Sora had lived in since running away from Kana’s old coven—the first place they had actually been able to call home, and Kana had zero regrets about leaving.

The gigantic piece of slate raised some eyebrows when the wolves Ember provided to help Kana move had first seen it. Ember snickered and Kana suspected Ember planned to install it somewhere in one of the two pack houses for Kana to use. A touch of magic put the wood planks of the floor back in place without any evidence they had ever been moved, hence why Kana was actually getting his security deposit back.

He sold his beat-up couch and coffee table to a neighbor, but his bedroom furniture replaced the furniture in the room Kana was provided at the city pack house. Not that he used that room all that much anymore either…

Kana and Sora walked out the door, and the thunk as the landlord firmly shut and locked it behind them had a good finality to it. Kana’s life as it had been while living in that apartment was over; it was time for his new life to begin.

He and Sora walked down the stairs and outside to where Ember and Mika were waiting by the car. Mika was draped over Ember’s shoulders like a purring cat scarf. Ember’s lips lifted in his perfect half smile when he saw Kana.

“How’s your head?” he asked.

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