Page 132 of Court of Evil

Centuries of anger, oppression, and pain cover the hillside.

I slam my hilt into an enemy’s face, and as he falls back, Fang cuts his throat before dancing away.

All of my men draw closer, unleashing their wrath alongside the strongest beings in this world.

I continue on until my body and blade are covered in blood and no more foes stand before me.

“You did this.” Shamus pants at my side, blood splattered across his face as I kick a rogue hunter into the open jaws ofa wolf. I scan the area and see barely any of our assailants remaining, and those who do are quickly dealt with. It’s done. It’s over. “You brought us all together.”

“To end it,” I say as my eyes rove across our people, checking on them and my men. My heart still hammers like a war drum, my body swaying with exhaustion.

“No, Tate. It might have begun with bloodshed, but I have a feeling when you are through, it will end with hope.” He looks out at the crowd as all eyes seem to turn to me. “Your work is not done. Not yet, angel.”

“He is right.” We both turn as a chill goes through me at the calm words. A man picks his way through the dead, looking far too calm and perfect in the middle of so much death and pain. He’s beautiful, dark, and deadly, but something about him makes terror clench my chest. A beautiful woman walks behind him, with glowing eyes and hair the colour of the sun.

“Ignore his creepy introduction. I’m working on his people skills. We have been watching. Gods can’t interfere really, but we have both been rooting for you. Haven’t we, Mors?” She smacks his side.

“Yes, dear.” He nods obediently before looking at me. “You have caused much death today. I will be busy indeed.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“You know what I mean. You sense it.” He smiles, and I swear my heart stops for a moment. “Come on, Avea. Let’s begin our work.” He glances around before looking back to me. “Oh, and Tate Havelock? It is not our time to meet yet, but know when we do, I will be honoured to help you cross. You have the heart of a warrior—one I have not seen in a very long time. You have a purpose, or so I am told. Stay true to who you are and you will never go astray.” His words echo that of my ancestors’, and he winks like he knows it before he sighs, whirling around.

“Phrixius, I can feel your little heathen playing with my dead. Tell her to stop!” He stomps off as the woman waves at me and skips after him, beasts from the forest walking at her side. Simon waves at me from the forest and slips back into the trees with the wolves and Althea.

“Was that the god of death?” I turn to Shamus in shock.

“I think so.” He shakes his head. “Far above my pay grade.”

“And mine,” I scoff. “I don’t know about you, but I could use a fucking shower and some sleep.”

“Maybe a stiff drink.” He holds out his hand. “Let’s leave the monsters to their duties. It’s time to reclaim Stalkers’ Rest. Tomorrow, we’ll deal with everything else.”

“Tomorrow.” I nod as I look around at those we lost, those we will need to honour.

It won’t be easy to clean up after this, but it’s what we do as hunters.

Tonight, we made a stand, and we won.

Tomorrow, we’ll set our future on the right path.

For now, though, I want my team, and I want my bed.

Everything else can wait.

CHAPTER 55

Tate is resting. Using her powers like that drained her, and for once, she sleeps like a baby. I keep watch as I work on my iPad. There is much to do, and I am the commander, after all. I will take this burden from her. She has done more than I could have ever asked for. She righted the wrongs of our people and joined the supernatural world and ours together in a way that will echo for generations to come.

She has become the bridge between their world and ours, and all it took was a little love and a whole lot of revenge.

She turns with a sigh, and I glance over. She’s pale, but other than that, she’s unharmed.

She was right. No other blow landed on her bar the small cut on her lip.

When I’m sure she’s still asleep, I focus on my phone and the orders. I have a cleanup on the way and families are being notified. There are too many bodies to bury, so they will be transported to a local crematorium and burnt. They don’t deserve to be buried here, not on our sacred ground, but their families are innocent, and they deserve to have something to grieve. Their funerals will all be paid for, and their final wagesas well as the insurance policies will be given to their families. I could invalidate them, but no one else has to suffer.

It’s over.

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