Page 134 of Court of Evil

“Sir, out of respect, she must earn it.” I narrow my eyes, and he holds out his hands, looking scared. “If you hand it to her, they won’t respect your decision. Everyone feels the need to berewarded after last night, and even though she sacrificed more than most, there are still some nervous hunters after what she did on the battlefield.”

“Then we will hold a test. Whoever wins will get that level. Make no mistake, it will be hers, though, so begin preparations. I want it all torn out and changed and all bedrooms combined into one for her.”

“One, sir?” He blinks.

“One, with the biggest bed you can find.” I chuckle. Turning away, I pick up the next corpse and heave it into the truck closest to me. There are many out here, and as the body hits the flatbed, the birds feasting on the dead take flight. When I turn back, the fae is before me, and I blink.

“My sister has sent a message. She will meet with Tate when she is ready. She also wishes to let you know the treaty is still in place.” He nods and then turns away, walking across the hill to Tate who must have come down when I wasn't looking and is now helping clear bodies.

“Commander.”

I sigh and turn away as my name is called again.

Duty waits for no one.

CHAPTER 56

By mid-afternoon, my muscles are strained, I’m covered in sweat, and death coats every inch of me, but all the bodies are ready to be disposed of. I leave the arrangements to Shamus. I’m not exactly one for paperwork, but I needed to be out there. This was my fight as well as theirs, and I will not rest while they work. I am a hunter, and I pull my weight.

Bowing my head under my showerhead, I let the warm water wash over my skin. I know I will never be fully clean, not after the things I have done to get here, but I can’t bring myself to care, not with everyone I love still alive.

It’s not been an easy journey, and I know this is just the beginning, but I’m not alone anymore. I don’t have to shoulder the burden by myself.

As if my thoughts conjure them, arms wrap around me, and I lean back with a sigh. A soft kiss is dropped onto my shoulder, and from their height, I can guess who it is.

“You okay, babe?” Fang whispers.

“Just tired,” I murmur as I turn and drape my arms around her shoulders. “I think I need a holiday.”

She laughs. “Definitely somewhere warm. I want to see you in a bikini.”

My smile grows, and she leans up to kiss me. “They are cooking, so when you’re done, come out and join us, okay?”

Nodding, I catch her arm as she turns to leave and drag her back to me, kissing her deeply. When I let go, she’s blinking in confusion. “What was that for?”

“Just because.” I shrug as I slap her thigh. “I’ll be right out.”

She nods and leaves, and I wash. After I’m dried and dressed, I pad into the kitchen, only to freeze. The scene reminds me so much of the first day I stepped in here, only now the laughter is louder and the feelings of love and friendship fill the air. Fang is helping Tem set the table, Jarek is teaching Addeus to cook, and Zeev sips from a mug while watching them. Ronan floats above the stove, and Shamus is at the table, reading something on his phone.

For a moment, I just observe them, my heart so full it hurts.

No matter how hard it gets, I know I can always come back to this family. “Can I help?”

All eyes turn to me, and all that hate and pain caused by the others from this apartment fade away. “Nope, you sit, mistress.” Tem pulls out a chair at the opposite end of the table, and I sink into it as they hurry around. The table overflows with food, and they sit and start to dish up. Conversation flows, as does their laughter, and I just look around, overwhelmed and so grateful that my life led me to them.

It was worth all the hurt.

It was worth all the blood I had to shed to get here.

I hold my glass up as all eyes turn to me. “I just want to thank you all once more and say . . . to family, new and old.”

“To family,” they repeat, even Zeev, before they dig into their food as I sip my drink, happy to watch them.

“Hey, that’s mine!” Tem whines and looks to me as Jarek munches on a roll he stole. “Mistress.”

Snorting, I sip my drink and watch them bicker amongst themselves, even Fang. Shamus catches my eye and grins.

He knew this was what I needed, and he gave it to me.

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