Page 76 of Veiled

Hudson- Oh you guys are some pirating-ass thieves... I like it, it speaks to my darkness.

Remi- Oh god, insert eye roll here. By the way, I felt the need to mention that I know you went out to run last night. I didn't want to stop you but even though this is a safe zone, you need to know that not everyone is excited about a new queen. They are afraid of another crazy leader all over again. They also, um, don’t know I’m here yet. They know who I am. They won't be too excited about you being mated to me either.

Hudson- Well, what’s a proper uprising without a little dissent? All the great books have it!

Remi- I’m serious, Hudson, war and death is coming. We need to try to unify everyone as much as possible.

Hudson- Can I roll my eyes now? War and death, you say? Honestly, that fucking sounds fascinating. Way better than a movie. I have one question; can I wear pink? Oh, and can I totally collect the skulls of thine enemies? They are so pretty to make cups from. Imagine all the Fae wine served in authentic Fae skulls.

Remi- You are ridiculous.

Hudson- I know but seriously, you sound like Scail.

She sat up at that and stared down at me.

“What do you mean I sound like him?”

“Sounds like who?” Zane said, and I popped one eye open in time to see him setting down a tray of sandwiches, crossing his arms and leaning against the outdoor wall. Fucking yum, but fucking shit. I stayed in my prime tanning position and closed my eyes again.

“I said... she sounds like Scail.” I felt Hunter, Gray, Ryder, King, Luca, Jensi and now Kalen walked out of the kitchen. Shit there were so many people for my head to keep track of.

“Explain,” said Zane, evenly.

“Well, I went running last night,” I held my hand up as they started to complain, “shut the fuck up - I’m a grown ass woman who can literally beat the shit out of almost all of you. Anyways, I the grown ass Fae woman, went running and I sat down for a bit and Scail joined me, and we spoke for a while.”

“A while? He never says more than a handful of words and even then, it's all with a purpose,” Kalen looked startled.

I shrugged, “He is a genuinely nice guy, maybe he is misunderstood. He seems lonely. Anyway, he mentioned that I lacked self-preservation and needed to stop running off by myself. I told him he could shove it too. And he laughed. I wasn’t joking though. You all say the same shit. You should have tee shirts made.”

“He...He… laughed? Are you sure you are talking about the same person who is known and feared throughout the Fae kingdom?” Said Luca. I opened my eyes just to roll them.

“You guys are so dramatic, so he has an underground network of spies, thieves and murderers, and people fear him. How many people do you know would follow a girl they don’t even know, sit with her in the darkness, by a dark lake, and shoot the breeze and share Fae stories with her?”

“Plenty. They are called serial killers, love,” muttered Ryder. I rolled my eyes. Good fucking point though. Still, I felt myself and my magic get irritated. It didn't like the way they were talking about Scail. King came up beside me and put his hand on my neck and I relaxed. I looked at him gratefully, reveling in the peace, but quizzically.

“I don’t know Dory, your magic told me it was annoyed, and it bitched slapped me to calm you.” His handsome face looked down at me and I laughed. He was just a genuinely nice guy, and I love it.

Kalen looked at me, “Interesting, you are just always so damn interesting Hudson. To be honest, if there is anyone that can make a serial killer laugh it would be you. Gaia knows I hadn’t cracked a smile in a long time until you told me to shove my sword up my ass. You are special.” He shook his head with a smile. “Anyways, eat up. You have forty-five minutes to get your asses in the training combat area. Wear something that shows off your marks and stay armed. Hudson, try not to hurt anyone outside of the ring. I know asking you to not piss someone off is asking way too much. Jensi and Luca will guide you all to the combat area.”

“I love when people tell me to be naked. You hear that everyone? Show off my marks. Ha!” Grayson picked me up and threw me into the pool. Motherfucker.

Forty-five minutes later, we were entering the combat area and, as demanded, I was dressed in my tight training shorts and black sports bra with combat boots. I had found a leather weapons belt that fit snuggly, as it clipped to a back holster that you slid on like a backpack, where you can put in your swords. I had daggers in the belt and two short swords in the holsters, and I palmed my scythe in my hands. Remi was dressed similarly, and I guessed she was the one that put it on my bed while I showered. My guys had combat boots and black cargo pants with no shirt on and similar arming setups that had me drooling. King, Luca, and Jensi were the only ones in our group with shirts on but fuck it. We were a good-looking group of badasses. I took in the large domed building with various combat zones being used for various exercises. I noticed the weights and the weapons wall and took note of all possible exits and faces. One can never be too cautious.

When we walked through the town, despite some of the hostile stares aimed at Remi’s direction and a few fearful ones aimed at me, I saw plenty of hopeful and friendly faces. There were little shops, barely any children, and there were more warriors out than anyone else. If it weren’t for the lush greenery and beautiful flowers everywhere, you could almost, almost ignore that this was a place readying for a serious Fae-agaedon.

Kalen was standing in the middle of the area with a group of massive looking Fae Warriors. On the side lines were quite a few people and judging by the irritated looks Kalen was tossing that way, it wasn't a usual occurrence. I smiled at those who glared at me and blew a kiss to one particularly angry person who was red faced. Guess he didn’t think the prophecy was a good thing- well fuck you buddy! I would rather be in a plaid skirt right about now, in class, having regular college issues too.

“Hey grandpa Kalen, are these the sorry fuckers I’m going to make cry today?”

They all turned my way and, fuck, they were tall as hell, growled. My mates stood behind me and stared them down but let me do my thing. I loved that.

“Fucking men and their growling. Don’t you fuckers know any other sound?” I mumbled. Luca choked back a laugh. The warriors flicked their eyes in his direction and then back to me.

“Show some respect little girl; the great Kalen will take a lip from no one,” some guy grumbled. I rolled my eyes at the great Kalen comment, like he needed to have his head made bigger. It's why he needed me, I brought him down a few notches. I waved him off which pissed him off and he took a step towards me until one of his friends put an arm out.

“Not yet.” I looked at him and he smiled ferally. Oh yeah, I’m going to love fucking that one up.

“Yeah, listen to your master, fucker.” I scoffed, more growling. “Kalen has been training me for years so spare me the theatrics. The only thing Kalen is good at is getting on my damn nerves with his drills. He never gets tired of making you fucking die until you come back to life just to die again.”

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