Red

Epilouge

Hey guys! This is a sneek peak from Thornblakes! I'm hoping to set up Thornblakes soon, but I'm also working with the cover so please bear with me.

Thanks :)

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Erik’s POV

Walking into the room, I couldn’t help but smirk. There sat nine tall mahogany desks, almost like that of a judge. Each with a Dagger and Wolfsbane flower carved in silver. The council made it a point to sit higher than anyone else in the room. Striding down the aisle, I stopped in the center of focus, placing my hands casually behind my back.

“Erik. So glad you could join us.” An old man with grey hair and cold eyes spoke. I only nodded. “As you know you are a renowned hunter among us.” I knew what came next. I’ve been breaking records since I was fourteen. I am the best hunter they have at age nineteen. “But you are not the best.”

. . . Excuse me?! My blood boiled, but I dared not let it show. “I’m sure you’ve heard of ‘Red’.” Of course I had. Everyone knew the name Red. She was practically legend. Even I had to admire the calling card, but I wasn’t sold on the fact some teenage girl could do that much damage by herself. Nodding he continued. “Red is very much real. She is a girl only a year younger than yourself.” Younger than me? That’s not even possible. She’s been hunting just as long as I have! I started young and had years of training.

An older woman cleared her throat and I looked up at the hag. “Red is the last of the Thornblakes.” Thornblakes? That actually made sense, except the daughter, her husband and two children were killed in a crash and the grandmother was murdered a few years ago. “Red was Elena’s granddaughter who she raised. Elena had kept her distance so it was only when she skipped out annual meeting did we go in search of her and find the girl’s room. We decided to keep our distance and monitor her skill.”

The old man then proceeded to cut her off. “We tracked her to a city we think she’s taken up residence in, when she isn’t traveling and hunting. We want you to find her. The two of you have ideal genetics for the ideal next generation of hunters.” What? Did I hear that right?

“I’m sorry, but are you asking me to track this girl down to marry her?”

Another old man with light brown hair leaned forward towards me. “I understand you are a very eligible bachelor. Woman of all shapes and sizes would throw themselves at you.” Well I wouldn’t exactly say it like that. “What could be more refreshing, more enticing than a woman stronger and more dangerous than yourself?” At first the thought was tantalizing, then I began to picture what a stronger woman would look like. I don’t want some manly, muscular female. I wanted a woman.

“It’s not an option. Your marriage can be discussed at a later date. For now we need you to find her and bring her here.” Why the hell would I want to do that? It sounded like a waste of my perfectly good time. “Surely one with your achievements can manage this much, right?”

They want to play that card? My jaw clenched and I eyed them all warily. “I’ll leave tomorrow.” I ground out.

Their puppet in the corner handed me a file when motioned to do so. “You’ll leave tonight.” They commanded.

Turning my back on them I stormed out the room. I’m going to find this chick. Then they’ll know who the best hunter really is.