by Kelly Hall
Chapter 30
Delilah was only shaken for a moment. She walked up to Rebekah, who, with the shocking revelation, turned to see the young huntress’s reaction to the news.
“What is your mother doing with the Church?” she asked as Delilah approached the stage.
“Don’t ask me. I had no idea. But she has to be stopped.”
“I’m glad you agree.” Rebekah pulled out her bands and loosened her braids. Then she stripped off the large hoodie and dropped her weapons to her side where they belonged. Her charade was over and so was this fiasco.
On the stage, Sage paced the front slowly, making sure to look her audience in the eyes. “Thank you, ladies and gentleman, hunters and huntresses, and leaders. I am proud to be here representing the Church and the New Orleans Academy on this day of celebration as we mark another milestone in our purpose. Together, we will pave a path for new Hunters, ones whose faith will not be shaken, ones whose future is brighter, stronger, and more rewarding.” The crowd seemed to approve of the last part, and Rebekah wondered what they would promise the hunters.
“I want to puke,” said Delilah, making her way up front with Rebekah, who had her by the hand. “I’ve never heard such bullshit spew from her lips before. I can’t believe Cindy was okay with this.” She hadn’t spoken with her mother since leaving the house, and she knew Jarreth had been too busy, too.
“Thank you,” said Sage as the applause died down. “Now without further ado, the hour has come.”
Elder Wick took the floor again to get the ceremony under way. “Charles Storm Belton, son of the Church, defender of the faith, I ask that you give yourself to the cause by swearing your fealty to the New Fellowship of the Church, forevermore.”
“I hereby swear,” said the young man, who proudly bent his knee. He was no doubt the best of the school, having a lot of support from the rest of his peers who cheered him on.
Elder Wick lifted the dagger from the table, and Rebekah could see that it was indeed the same type that she and Ignis had provided each academy years ago; the same kind that would no longer be effective; that would no longer change Charles Storm Belton or any other follower of the Church into a Hunter; or heal his mark.
Rebekah had to help him. She pushed through the front row and leapt up on stage. “Stop!” she shouted.
A hush fell across the crowd, and Elder Wick turned around as Sage Miller moved in on the intruder.
“What you are about to do is a mistake. The dagger is ineffective, and you will not be able to heal.”
“Nonsense from a woman who still reeks of her own men’s blood.” The elder pointed his accusing finger at her and looked down his nose.
But another voice rose up from below. “Truth from the woman who has sacrificed more for you than the Church ever will,” shouted Delilah from the steps of the stage. “The woman who took time from trying to save the world to come here and stop this catastrophe from happening.”
“Delilah!” shouted Sage, who realized her daughter was the one causing such a commotion from the audience. “What are you doing here?”
“Stopping you from making a fool of yourself, Mother.” The announcement of the two’s relationship sent another wave of gasps and whispers across the room as Delilah got up on the stage with Rebekah. “What the Immortal Huntress says is true. The Church has come against her for its own power. The signs are all around you, and it’s time to stand behind her, no matter what the—”
Her mother’s hand was across her face before she could finish her thoughts. “How dare you come into this place and defend her?”
“This is nonsense, and I’ll prove it.” Elder Wick took the blade and turned toward the boy, who recoiled. “Do not let this abomination shake your faith.”
Many in the crowd shouted for the boy to run, but Elder Wick readied the blade. Even though the boy was shaking with fear, more like a sprinkle than a storm, he took a deep breath and held his head up high as he closed his eyes to brace for the blow.
The Elder struck hard and fast, the dagger sinking into the flesh of the boy’s shoulder, slicing through his meat until it struck bone, causing the young man great pain, which he seemed to manage fairly well.
“It’s as easy as that,” said Elder Wick. “Now, rise a hunter, my son. One of the chosen of the Church who will defeat the Huntress and her uprising.”
The crowd went crazy wild then, but most were outraged at what the Elder was saying.
“She is not our enemy!” shouted a chorus from the back.
“You’re trying to kill us all,” said another girl, who shook her fist at the elder.
Another crowd across the room chanted, “We want Dixon! We want Dixon!”
As the crowd went nuts and Charles waited on his arm to heal, Sage pulled Delilah to the side of the stage, just behind a tall potted tree.
“You have embarrassed me for the last time, Delilah. This is a huge opportunity for me, and I’m not going to let you ruin it! Look what you’ve done out there!” She had enough venom in her voice to kill an elephant, and the daggers in her eyes were as sharp as Stella.
Delilah had never felt so proud. “Don’t you get it, woman? You need the Huntress. We all do. She and Ignis are the only ones who can make hunters. The Church doesn’t have a way, and they never will.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. God will prevail, Delilah. He always does in any good versus evil story. You’ve seen it happen. The Immortal Huntress is evil.”
“Then you’re evil too because she made you, like it or not.” She turned her attention across the stage, where the Elder waited for the boy to heal. “Look at that guy out there. His arm is still bleeding. He will keep bleeding until he dies if you don’t help him.” She didn’t understand why her mother couldn’t see. “Who are you? What does Cindy think of all this?”
“It’s over with me and Cindy. It was never going to work between us, just like it will never work between you and Jarreth. You need to realize that. You may have screwed things up today, but I have a purpose now, a great purpose. I could be a woman of power, just like Rebekah. I’ve given my entire life to represent a woman who would sell out for a romp with a vampire. A dirty piece of blood-sucking trash like Kayne. It’s not too late to come with me, daughter. Make the right choice. Choose good over evil, Delilah.”
Before Delilah could respond to her mother, Rebekah’s voice got her attention. “This is what you get with the Church, my children. They have become corrupt, hiding behind God and what they want you to believe is right. I’ve come here today to warn you of the Church’s recklessness, and you see the proof. There is only one Fellowship. The Fellowship of the Hunters. It’s what we’ve all supported and given our lives for. What the Church created long ago before it was nothing but a dwelling for liars and thieves. The true Fellowship is what will defeat our enemy, but only if it’s not divided. I ask for your patience, and when you’re ready, I’ll make true hunters of you all.” The crowd cheered her words, most raising their hands and chanting “Huntress” from the tops of their lungs.
With that, Rebekah started to walk away, but Elder Wick shouted to his men. “Seize her!”
Dixon ran out and got between Rebekah and the guards. “Not today, you don’t. Not in my academy.” As he was pushed aside, mobs of his trainees poured forward as if a dam had broken and stormed the stage. The guards were overwhelmed, and Rebekah grabbed Dixon’s hand.
Elder Wick fled, one of his men taking pity to help him.
“This isn’t over,” said Sage as she ran after Delilah. The younger huntress was already running after Rebekah and Dixon, who still had hold of her hand to lead them to safety.
“I’ve already made my choice, Mother.”
“Then may the best woman win.”
“She will,” said Delilah, seeing her mother’s face and the determination in her eyes. That determination had always been more important to her than Delilah, and she hoped her mother was happy with it.
They went t
o the office, and Dixon called for a car.
“You should come with us,” said Rebekah.
“I can’t. I have to stay here and make sure Charles gets the medical attention he deserves. A wound like that for an average human? He’ll be lucky to use that arm again. Besides, you heard the trainees. They want me to stay.”
Delilah shook her head. “The Church isn’t going to let this rest. My mother isn’t.”
“If I had known who she was,” said Dixon, apology and regret in his tone, “I would have warned you not to come. I know it has to be a shock.”
Delilah nodded. “Yeah, that’s an understatement.” Not only was she upset, but she had to tell Jarreth about his mother.
“I’m not sure you should stay.” Rebekah turned from helping Delilah gather their things.
“I’ll be okay. I had a pretty good idea this is what they would do to me. I just had no idea they would try and be so blatant about their plans.”
“They are getting braver. You should have seen the experiments at Arcadius. They were making monsters, even doing horrible things to our own kind. No telling what they want to do to our trainees.”
“My mother said they want to make better, stronger hunters.”
“We have to keep our faith strong. We’re not in the wrong. Many have done things in the name of God. Horrible things. I will not let them win.”
Dixon’s phone rang. “The car is ready. Go out the back and through the fence. There’s a small space you should be able to get through. I’ve been planning my escape in case I needed it. I’m glad I did.”
“Me too,” said Delilah.
“Watch out for the guards,” he said. “Some will follow the Elder. They’ll be looking for you.”
Rebekah knew they’d come for him. “You do the same.” She turned away but stopped and turned back to face him. “Thank you for your honor and bravery.” She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed him. It was just a peck, but Hoyt’s cheeks turned red as he smiled.
“It’s my honor, Huntress. Travel safely.”
As she ran, she looked back and wondered if she would ever see the man again. With any luck, fate would have them cross paths once again.
She and Delilah hurried across his rose garden and through the fence, where they found their car waiting just like they’d been promised.
As they settled in the back seat and the driver took them to their destination, Rebekah looked over at Delilah. “I think that went well.”
Delilah gave a weary laugh as she sank down in her seat. “You know, as crazy as it seems, I think you’re right. As long as Elder Wick didn’t win, that’s all that matters.”
“I hope Charles is going to be okay. He looked like a good kid. Confused, but good. Let’s hope he’ll make a good hunter still.”
“You mean, you’d still have him? He bent the knee to the Church.”
“Probably as misled as your mother, and she bears the mark. Besides, we’re all young and stupid once. Look where my impulsiveness got me.” Rebekah chuckled to herself. When she’d stepped forward to be the Huntress, she had never known that it would be this way, that the very Church who had ordered her creation was the one that would try and take her down.
“Thanks for bringing me along for the ride,” said Delilah. It was about time the Huntress took her on a mission. “But next time, can we use our weapons?” The girl closed her eyes and settled back against the headrest. “Wake me when we’re at the airport.”
Rebekah smiled, knowing she’d fulfilled her promise to Canter.
Chapter 31
Back at the castle, Ignis was growing frustrated. “Witches’ warts, that’s not a match either.” He’d had a hard time finding any languages compatible to the one before him, and there weren’t any records of sacred books that he could find. “I don’t know where they got this thing. The only word I can make out is the name Hortensius, which belonged to Rebekah’s mother.”
“It means ‘garden’ according to this.” Canter turned his phone around. “Were her family gardeners?”
“Either that or they were descendants of someone named Hortensius, and he was a gardener. Who knows? But what I do know is I’m ready to throw this book across the room.”
“It looks quite expensive,” said Mace, who was watching from a distance as she sharpened a blade for one of her new projects. “I’d refrain.”
Canter looked over at the desk. “What about the letter? Can we try and open it now?”
Ignis spun around in his chair and then got to his feet. “We have to be careful, but sure.” He went to the desk where he’d left it. He had hoped exposing it to some low humidity would make it more pliable.
“If it falls apart, we’ll put it back together,” said Mace, who got up from her chair and crowded in with the two of them.
“I’ll assign you the task.” Ignis gave her a sideward look. “But hopefully, it won’t come to that.”
He carefully picked up the paper and unfolded it, hearing a slight tear even though it held together pretty well in the end.
Finally, it was open. “Phew! I didn’t want to tell Rebekah I’d destroyed it.” He quickly put it in a sheet of plastic to protect it now that he could see the words.
Mace rested her hand on his shoulder and leaned in for a better view. “What does it say?”
“Assuming I can translate it or read this hideous handwriting,” said Ignis. “Let’s take a look.”
“It’s Latin,” said Canter, leaning in over his shoulder.
“Thank you, Canter. For a moment, I thought it was gibberish.” He let his eyes skim the page and grew more concerned. “This is a letter from Livia’s great-grandfather, stating that an angel came to him saying that one of his kin would defeat the enemy of darkness to save the world.”
“The enemy of darkness?” Canter asked. “Does that mean the enemy is darkness or take darkness from the enemy?”
“I’m pretty sure it’s a dark enemy, as in evil.” He continued to read. “He says the angel got the information from an ancient book, which he gave to him. He entrusted it to the Church that they would help him translate it.”
“That’s why the elders had it,” Canter said. “They’ve probably been trying to find a way to read it for years.”
“But it also means that they know about Rebekah’s family. Or I’d think they should.” He didn’t understand why the Church would not warn Rebekah of it sooner.
“So why wouldn’t they warn her?” asked Mace, as if she were reading his mind.
“Because in the end, they want to be the one left with the power. That’s always been the Church’s ultimate goal.”
Jarreth appeared at the top of the stairs. “Hey, they’re almost home,” he said. “Lulu said there’s going to be cake, and Frankie wants us all to gather in the front room.”
“Fine,” said Ignis. “I’ll bring the book and the letter. I’m sure she’s going to want an update.” He gathered his things and followed the others upstairs.
As they gathered in the front room, Ignis took a chair close to the hearth, and Tula and Aziel stood behind him. “How are you feeling, darling?” he asked the naiad.
“Better, thank you. The water did wonders, and there were some very interesting creatures there who welcomed me into their home.
“Is she talking about frogs?” whispered Jarreth to Canter.
Canter nudged him. “Shh. And yes, she’s talking about frogs. Probably snakes too.”
Jarreth covered his mouth. “Do you think she eats them?”
Canter made a face, thinking of how Jarreth had kissed the pink naiad. “For your sake, I hope not. But I think she kind of looks after them.”
All of a sudden, Rebekah came out from the kitchen with Delilah. “Are you guys waiting on us?”
Everyone cheered. Lulu came out with a big smile on her face and plates with chocolate cake, and Frankie followed with ice cream.
“What are we celebrating?” asked Ignis.
Rebekah was fee
ling sentimental. “I just wanted us all together.”
Jarreth got up to greet Delilah, and she fell into his arms, kissing him like she hadn’t seen him in weeks.
“How did things go in New Orleans?” asked Canter, who rose to greet them both.
“Well, I’m sure the latest candidate for the Church’s New Fellowship will heal, but let’s hope he chooses the right side from now on.”
Brock, who had been outside with his men since the previous day’s funeral, stood at the door. “The Church’s New Fellowship?”
“Blasphemy,” said Trillion, who entered behind his leader.
Delilah pulled away. “That’s going to be a long story.” She hated having to tell Brock and Jarreth what happened to Cindy and her mother.
Jarreth wouldn’t take it well, and it was only going to cause more problems, especially at their wedding. Which she hoped wasn’t going to take forever now that she was ready for him to ask again. Ignis brought her head around with a sour tone.
“Well, I’m sure it’s better than this storybook,” he said. He kept his seat, the heavy book in his lap.
“No luck?” asked the Huntress.
“I read the letter, and it seems there is a connection. Apparently, an angel came down and told one of your ancient relatives that one of his relatives would defeat the enemy of darkness and save the world.”
Rebekah thought of the baby, the last living relative since she, herself, was now changed; moot. “That’s why we need a living bloodline.”
“So we’ve theorized all these years. But what if we’re wrong?” Ignis opened the book, and suddenly, the strangest thing happened when the words within it began to glow. “That’s new.”
Everyone stared.
Rebekah rushed over. “What’s happening, Ignis?”
“I’m not sure.”
Aziel leaned in over his shoulder. “What’s the Prophecy of Hope?”
Glances were exchanged, and Rebekah looked down to see what Aziel saw, but the book was still indecipherable to her. “Ignis? Can you make it out?”