XXVIII
After finishing my meal, I left the venue, feeling pleasantly full and slightly lighter on my feet. The luxury suite I'd been promised wasn't far, and I intended to make full use of it. The exam wasn't over, and while my confidence was steady, rest was just as important as strategy. This whole event had been an elaborate show, unlike anything I'd seen in years.
Not that I'd seen much of the Hunter World. My focus had always been on the smaller, quieter corners—the shadows where the real power moved. But if the Association wanted to play up the theatrics, I'd gladly match them step for step.
As I walked, my mind wandered to Loki. I'd studied his reaction closely during our exchange. He'd tried to hide it, but the subtle flickers of irritation and curiosity betrayed him. The bait I'd laid was too tempting to ignore. Loki might have left the venue for now, but he wasn't walking away satisfied. He'd be back, and when he returned, I'd be ready. Information was my currency, and Loki was desperate for it.
The suite's lights dimmed automatically as I entered, the sleek screen on the wall flashing a welcome message from the Association. I ignored it and sank onto the bed, the plush mattress pulling me in. The room was luxurious, almost comically so, but I wasn't about to complain. I'd earned this, after all.
I considered my next move. Selena crossed my mind briefly, but given her current mental state, it seemed wiser to wait until morning. Instead, I reached for my tarot cards. Each one bore my Soul Mark, a unique aura signature that connected me to the recipient. They weren't just cards—they were keys to relationships I carefully curated.
The persona of the Author had been years in the making, a crafted reputation that carried weight in the right circles. I wasn't interested in starting my own organization, but expanding my network was essential. Connections were power, and these cards were my way of extending a hand—on my terms.
I shuffled through the deck, pausing on the cards I'd already distributed. Each one was tailored to its owner, a subtle thread tying them to me. Two had been given out recently. The rest were waiting for the right moments.
Setting the cards aside, I took out my phone and dialed Leora's number. The line rang twice before a soft click signaled she'd picked up.
"Hello?" Her voice was light, questioning.
"It's me," I said, a warmth creeping into my tone despite myself. "How are you and Leon?"
Leora sighed softly, her voice softening. "We're fine. Leon's asleep now—finally. He's got so much energy, even at two. Always finding something new to get into."
I smiled, picturing him. "Sounds like he's keeping you on your toes."
"He already does," she said, a hint of laughter in her voice. Then, more seriously, "And you? How's the exam?"
"Challenging," I admitted, "but nothing I can't handle. You know I'd never take risks I couldn't manage."
"Just be careful," she whispered. "Leon needs his father… and so do I."
Her words grounded me, pulling me out of the game I was playing. "I will. I promise. I'll be back soon. Count on it."
"You could call more often," she suggested. "We have a secure line."
"I just called yesterday," I teased lightly.
"And yet, I worry every time you disappear," she countered. "How about a schedule? Three times a week?"
I grinned. "How about seven?"
"Seven? Won't you be busy?" she asked, surprised.
"I'll let you know if something comes up," I said. Truthfully, I regretted not being able to talk to her more often. Maybe I should've given her one of my tarot cards, though I hadn't quite figured out how to explain them to her yet.
"Anyway," I continued, changing the subject, "I passed the first half of the exam. I'm eligible for a license now, but I'm aiming higher. Maybe a gold pass."
Leora hesitated. "I feel bad. In the two years I went solo, I couldn't even pull off something like this. And now here you are, making it look easy."
"It wasn't all on you," I reminded her. "I was hiding in the mountains, remember?"
"What?" she asked, surprised. "You never told me that."
"Really?"
"No wonder I couldn't find you." She sighed, though I could hear the hint of a smile in her voice. "Thankfully, Leon's healthy. We just came back from the hospital this afternoon. But still… the mountains? You could've gotten a mobile home or even stayed with a family in secret."
"My bad," I admitted. "Paranoia kept me from considering it."
Leora chuckled softly, her tone light and teasing. "How long have you been a hunter, anyway?"
I froze, her question hitting a little too close to home. I couldn't exactly tell her the truth—that I'd only been a hunter for a few months. She'd lose her mind and probably demand I drop everything to come home. Knowing her, she'd insist on taking up the mantle herself. She was leagues ahead of me in pure combat experience, and I was fully aware of it. Her reputation had been built on battlefields, not backroom deals.
She continued before I could respond. "You know, I never really realized it during our marriage. I didn't detect any aura from you at first… and even when you handed Leon to me, your aura was practically nonexistent. That's unusual—especially since I'm a Seeker with multiple sub-types."
I hesitated, debating how much to reveal. Should I tell her the truth or keep up the front?
The thing was, I'd gotten pretty good at subduing my aura's corona. With my naturally weak aura pool, compressing it until it was practically invisible wasn't hard. Ironically, it wasn't until recently that I even realized Leora was a hunter. All those years of marriage, and I'd been blissfully unaware.
Honestly, when it came to the hunter lifestyle—and especially my own aura awakening—I was still green in so many ways.
"I'll be fine," I assured her, keeping my tone light and confident. "Trust me… my theoretical knowledge of aura is impeccable. I practically wrote the book on it."
It wasn't a lie—just entirely misleading. But if it kept her from worrying too much, I'd take it.
"I'll send something through Stefan," I added. "A card with my Soul Mark on it. It'll let you call me in emergencies—kind of like a special phone, but activated with aura. It takes a fair bit of aura to use, but it's worth it."
Leora's voice brightened. "Really? That sounds… perfect. Convenient, indeed." She paused, then added with a hint of amusement, "If I need saving—or if you do—we'll have it ready."
"Exactly," I said, pleased that she liked the idea. "So, what card do you want?"
"Wait, I get to choose?" she asked, sounding surprised and delighted.
I grinned, even though she couldn't see it. "Of course. You've got your pick from the tarot deck. What'll it be?"
"Hmm…" She trailed off, but I could hear the playful lilt in her voice. "The Lovers, naturally," she said, letting the words linger for effect. "Since, you know, it suits us."
I laughed, shaking my head. "You're something else, you know that?"
"Oh, you love it," she teased.
"Yeah, yeah," I replied, still smiling. "All right, The Lovers it is. I'll get it to you soon."
"Good," she said, her tone softening. "It'll be nice to have that connection… you know, just in case."
"Same here," I agreed. "I'll make sure it reaches you."
Hearing her voice, so steady and warm, was a comfort I hadn't realized I'd been craving. As we said our goodbyes, I set the phone down and stared at the deck of cards on the table.
The Lovers.
It suited her perfectly. And as much as I joked, I couldn't deny how much I looked forward to handing it to her. That would be impossibile in current circumstacnes though…
We talked for what felt like hours. Leora's voice softened gradually, the weight of the day pulling her closer to sleep. She drifted off mid-sentence, her breathing steady and rhythmic, faintly audible through the line. I sat there for a moment longer, listening with a small smile on my face.
Eventually, I hung up and set the phone down. Reaching for my tarot deck, I slid out The Lovers card and studied it. The intricate design shimmered faintly under the suite's soft lighting. Pressing my lips lightly to the card, I felt a pang of longing pierce through me. How I missed her.
Setting the card aside with care, I grabbed my phone and quickly sent a text to Stefan. It was short and to the point, detailing what I needed. I followed it up with an email outlining the specifics of the package. Within minutes, Stefan replied with an address. Efficient, as always.
The suite's phone caught my eye next, its polished receiver gleaming against the dark wood table. Flipping through the Hunter Association pamphlet provided in the room, I found the front desk number and dialed.
"Yes, Mr. Bright, how can I assist you?" The voice on the other end was calm and professional.
"I need a package sent out by post. Can you send someone up to handle it?"
"Of course," they replied smoothly. "We'll have a staff member there within the next ten minutes."
True to their word, there was a knock on the door shortly after. I opened it to find a sharply dressed staff member holding a small clipboard.
"Mr. Bright?"
I nodded, stepping aside to let him in. Moving to the desk, I carefully wrapped The Lovers card in a soft handkerchief I'd bought earlier. The fabric was a deep navy blue with silver embroidery—something I'd picked up with her in mind. The handkerchief would protect the card and the Soul Mark etched into it.
Once the bundle was secure, I handed it to the staff member, along with Stefan's address. "Handle with care," I said firmly.
"Of course, sir," he replied, tucking the package into a secure compartment of his bag. With a polite nod, he left, the door clicking shut behind him.
For the first time that night, I felt a wave of relief. Soon, she'd have the card, and with it, a part of me would be closer to her.
I sank into the bed, letting the mattress cradle my tired body. The suite was quiet, save for the faint hum of the ventilation system. My thoughts turned to tomorrow's exam. The first half had been brutal, testing not just my abilities but my resolve. The second half promised to be even worse.
The golden pass loomed on the horizon—a beacon of opportunity and danger in equal measure. Earning it would mean facing tougher competition and even deadlier trials. But it also meant securing a future for Leora and Leon.
As I lay there, my mind drifted back to the conversation with Leora. Her voice, steady and warm, had a way of grounding me. Even through the phone, she had the uncanny ability to pull me out of my head and remind me of what truly mattered.
Regret lingered, as it often did. Regret for the choices that had brought us here, for the time lost, and for the danger I was now courting. But for the first time in a long while, I felt a flicker of hope. A genuine chance to turn things around.
With that thought as my anchor, I let the fatigue wash over me. Tomorrow would bring its challenges, but I'd face them head-on, as I always had.
~028