Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

HUNTER

H unter and Mercy made their way through the dimly lit corridors of the abbey. The witch and the vampire were both dead. He'd destroyed the pile of ash from the vampire's death so there was nothing anyone could use. The witch's ashes needed to be disposed in a way that ensured no one would be able to resurrect her.

Colby was waiting for them. "I take it the vampire is dead?"

Hunter nodded. "What of the remains of the witch that was his partner?"

"We collected the ashes from where she fell. We were just going to bury them with the others in consecrated ground, but Elyria didn't feel that was enough. What do you think?"

Hunter's gaze was fixed on the lynx-shifter, his mind turning over the possibilities of what would be the best way to dispose of not only the witch's body but her evil. "Cast her ashes into the wind to be swept out to sea," he intoned solemnly.

Brie looked at him, her eyebrow raised. "Is that really necessary?"

Hunter's gaze darkened as he met her eyes. "Probably not," he admitted. "But it tends to impress those who might be thinking they can resurrect her. Let's not give anyone cause to consider it."

Brie nodded, understanding the unspoken warning. The witch's magic had been powerful, and Hunter knew all too well that there were those who would seek to use it for their own gain.

Once the witch's remains were dealt with, Hunter and Mercy prepared to leave the abbey. Their next task was to return to the vampire's lair, hoping to find any clue about his allies or their whereabouts.

They walked side by side through the quiet corridors of the abbey, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the ancient stone walls. The air was thick with the weight of their thoughts, the lingering tension of battles fought and won, and the strange sense of finality that loomed over them. They were heading to bid farewell to Elyria, the enigmatic fae-shifter who had been at the center of so much of the turmoil that had brought them together.

Hunter glanced at Mercy as they climbed the narrow stairwell toward the ramparts. Her face was set, her eyes distant, as though she were already preparing herself for the goodbye. He could feel the bond between them growing stronger with every passing day, but Mercy had always been independent, even in moments like this. She was dealing with her own emotions, as was he.

When they reached the top, a gust of wind hit them, carrying with it the salty tang of the sea and the smell of an impending storm. The sky above was heavy with clouds—dark and churning—as though the heavens themselves were unsettled by all that had happened. Hunter scanned the ramparts and quickly spotted Elyria standing near the edge, her robed form silhouetted against the stormy backdrop.

She stood tall and still, her gaze locked on the horizon where the ocean met the sky. The wind whipped around her, tugging at the folds of her robe, but she remained unmoved, as if she were one with the elements, a part of the storm itself.

Mercy's steps faltered for a moment as they approached. Hunter could sense her hesitation, the unspoken emotions between them like the tempest that swirled all around. They both knew this was more than just a farewell. Elyria had been a catalyst, a figure whose presence had set so many events in motion, and now, she was most likely leaving them. It felt like the closing of a chapter, the end of something significant, even if they couldn't quite put it into words.

Without speaking, Mercy stepped forward, her hand outstretched to touch Elyria's shoulder, a simple gesture of connection and understanding. But the moment her fingers grazed the fabric of Elyria's robe, something strange happened.

The robe fell away.

It crumpled to the stone floor in a heap of silken fabric, and Mercy's hand hovered in the air, grasping at nothing. Elyria was gone. A cold wind swept across the ramparts, and Hunter's sharp gaze shot upward toward the sky.

There, amidst the swirling storm clouds, a disturbance formed—a vortex, spinning slowly at first but then gaining speed. The dark clouds churned violently, and from the center of the vortex, a single silver slip of light appeared, shimmering with an otherworldly glow. It hung there for a brief moment, like a shooting star caught in the atmosphere, before it shot upward, disappearing into the depths of the vortex.

Hunter and Mercy watched in stunned silence as the vortex slowly closed, the sky returning to its natural state. The air around them felt charged, alive with residual energy, as though the very fabric of the world had been briefly torn open and then sewn shut again.

"She's gone," Mercy whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Hunter nodded, his throat tight. He had known this moment would come, but seeing it unfold like this—so sudden, so otherworldly—left him with a hollow feeling in his chest. Elyria had slipped away as only someone of fae blood could, gliding between realms like a wisp of light.

They stood there for a few more moments, letting the silence settle over them, before turning to make their way back down the stairs. Hunter's mind was still racing with everything that had happened, but he could sense Mercy's quiet resolve beside him. Elyria had chosen her own path, as fae often did, and they had to respect that.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs and made their way toward the entrance of the abbey, they found Brie waiting for them near the large oak doors. Her expression was calm, but there was a knowing look in her eyes, as though she had already guessed what had transpired.

"She's gone," Mercy said quietly, her voice still carrying the weight of the moment. "We went to say goodbye, but..."

Brie nodded, her lips curving into a soft, bittersweet smile. "It doesn't come as a surprise," she said, her tone gentle. "I had a feeling she wouldn't stay long. Elyria was never meant to linger in this world."

Hunter crossed his arms, the faint sting of loss still hanging over him. "Did you know she'd leave like this?"

Brie shook her head. "Not exactly. But I knew she would find her own way. The fae are... different, unpredictable. We couldn't expect her to follow our rules, our timelines." She glanced at the storm clouds still lingering on the horizon. "She's where she needs to be for now."

Hunter exchanged a glance with Mercy, and though neither of them spoke, the same thought passed between them. Elyria had been more than just a companion in their fight—she had been a reminder of the vast, strange world that existed beyond their understanding. And now, she was gone, taking with her the secrets of the fae and the mystery of her exile.

Brie gave them a small nod, her hand resting briefly on Mercy's shoulder. "You two have your own path to walk now. Elyria's story was always separate from yours."

Mercy exhaled slowly, the tension easing from her body as she nodded in agreement. "I guess so."

Hunter rested a hand on the small of Mercy's back, offering silent support as they turned toward the door. As they stepped outside, the wind picked up again, carrying the faint scent of the sea. The storm was already moving on, dissipating into the distance.

They had their own battles ahead, their own journey to complete. But for now, as they walked away from the abbey, Hunter couldn't shake the feeling that they had just witnessed something ancient and powerful, a glimpse of the magic that existed beyond their realm.

And somewhere, far beyond the horizon, Elyria was free.

Their journey to the vampire's lair did not take long; they reached it just as the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape. The cave where the vampire had hidden was eerily quiet, the silence broken only by the distant crash of waves against the cliffs.

Hunter moved cautiously; his senses heightened as he scanned the area for any sign of danger. The lair appeared to have been swept clean, as though whoever had been here had made a hasty exit. But as they ventured deeper into the cave, they found something—or rather, someone.

A figure was bound to the wall, its body limp and half-dead. The person's skin was pale, almost translucent, and its eyes were hollow with hunger and pain. Mercy gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as she took in the sight.

Hunter stepped forward; his gaze hard as he knelt beside the figure. "It's a female. She's been turned," he said grimly. "A new vampire."

The woman stirred weakly, her lips parting as she tried to speak. "They… they will come for you," she rasped, her voice barely a whisper. "You may have won… for now… but don't get comfortable. They will come for all of you."

Mercy's gut twisted at the woman's words, the ominous warning sending a chill down her spine. It wasn't over—not by a long shot.

Hunter's expression darkened as he studied the woman. She was barely alive, her body ravaged by the transformation. She had been left here to send a message—a cruel reminder that their enemies were far from defeated.

"She's starving," Mercy said quietly, her eyes filled with pity.

Hunter nodded; his jaw clenched. "She's dying. There's no saving her."

Mercy looked at him, a kind of fearful dread at knowing what had to be. "We can't leave her like this."

Hunter's gaze softened, and he reached for his blade, the silver gleaming in the fading light. "I'll end her suffering."

Mercy turned away; her chest tight as Hunter delivered the final blow. The woman let out a soft sigh, her body going still as the blade pierced her heart and she turned to dust.

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of what they had done hanging in the air. Mercy swallowed hard, her mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.

Hunter rose to his feet, his expression unreadable as he turned to her. "We need to get back to the abbey."

Mercy nodded, but her mind was elsewhere. She couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in her chest. Whoever had sent the vampire and the witch was still out there, and now they knew there were more enemies lurking in the shadows.

As they made their way back to the abbey, Hunter's voice broke the silence. "What happens next?"

Mercy hesitated, her emotions pained and heavy with the weight of everything that had happened. "We keep fighting," she said softly. "We finish what we started."

Hunter glanced at her, his gaze filled with a mix of admiration and concern. "And what about us?"

Mercy's shook her head. It was no good. She had tried to push aside her feelings for him, to focus on the mission, but she couldn't deny the connection between them. It was too strong, too undeniable.

She met his gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't ask for this," she admitted, her throat tight with emotion. "But… I can't deny that I care about you. I love you, even if I didn't want to."

Hunter's eyes softened, a flicker of emotion passing across his face. He reached for her, his hand brushing against her cheek in a gentle caress. "I love you, too, Mercy," he said quietly. "And I'll stand by you, no matter what comes next."

Mercy's emotions swelled, but there was still a part of her that was afraid—afraid of what their future would hold, of the dangers that lay ahead. But she knew one thing for certain.

She didn't want to face those dangers alone.

"Come home with me," she said softly, her voice trembling with vulnerability. "Let's make my home our home. Together."

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 each other, 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.