Immortal Fire - Book One

The drive to Lunzos was quick, as I fell asleep not long after we had started driving. The car was squashed inside, and I wished that the car had more seats. Hayden needed the F-type coupe’… I woke up with my head on Hayden’s shoulder as he drove up the dirt road to the parking spot that led to the hiking trails. Hunter sat to my right, slightly beneath me, and was still as he looked out of the window.

“Hey…” Hayden said softly as I sat up straight, rubbing my eyes.

“Hey, what time is it?” I asked.

It was dark and overcast outside and I had lost all sense of time since we had entered the underworld and left it.

“It’s 07:15 am,” he said.

A yawn escaped me, and Hayden parked the car. The parking lot looked the same, as well as the hiking trail. It all seemed so long ago when Hayden had first brought me here. Hunter sat quietly and looked up at the path that led the way to Lunzos.

“Are you okay?” I asked him, breaking the silence in the car.

“Yeah…” he said unconvincingly before getting out of the car and stretching.

The air that blew in was ice cold and a fine mist wet my exposed cheeks. Shivering, Hayden hugged me before getting out and holding the door open for me. All three of us stood and looked up at the tree-covered hill.

“Do you think that they just want to know what happened?” I asked holding my hair that was whipped about by the wind out of my face as I continued to look up at the trail.

“I guess we will have to find out,” replied Hayden, sounding doubtful himself.

We looked at each other and then started up the trail. I was surprised at how quickly I could move up the land now compared to before. Previously I had struggled to keep up with Hayden… We continued up the path and Hayden opened the Prism by the stream as he did before.

I could not believe that sight before me once again as we walked up to the gates where the guards stood. I immediately searched their faces to find Marcus and was pleased when I saw that he was walking towards us. Hayden was smiling too but Hunter took a step back and looked away guiltily.

“Hayden! Aria! Welcome back!” he exclaimed throwing us together in a bear hug.

“Hi, Marcus…” Hayden managed to get out. Marcus stepped back and looked at us smiling.

“Hello, Marcus,” I said smiling back at him…

“I knew that you two would be okay and make us proud,” he said loudly for the rest of the guards to hear.

Hunter shuffled awkwardly to the side of us and that’s when Marcus noticed him for who he was for the first time…

“Well, I never… Hunter?” he said disbelievingly. There was a feeling of deep sorrow in his voice and Hunter raised his head to look at him.

“Hello Marcus; it’s been a while...” he said.

Marcus looked back at Hayden wide-eyed and took a step toward Hunter. I did not know what would happen. Would Marcus arrest Hunter for his crimes? Would he chase him away? Marcus pulled Hunter into a fierce hug and Hunter went stiff. This was not what any of us had expected…

“Welcome home,” Marcus said before stepping away, eyes still on Hunter who had not said a word. If any of us were shocked, I could not fathom how he was feeling being welcomed back.

“The Elders are waiting for you… follow me.” Marcus said before turning and leading us up the path and through the enormous gates. Every guard was watching us intently, especially Hunter’s movements.

The streets were empty, and I did not know if it was because of the horrible weather or if it was because of our arrival. The wind whipped at our hair and Hayden held me close as we walked. The steps that led up to the Elders were lined with guards.

That was new. Previously there were no guards. There was something very wrong with all of this and I was on edge. Hayden and Hunter did not seem like they suspected anything wrong, so I pushed the thought aside.

We passed the fountain and went down the candlelit corridor that led to the Elders’ chambers. No one said a word and I remembered how it had been previously. Everyone treated this space as sacred and the Elders themselves even more so. The three thrones stood where they had in my memories and atop them sat the Elders. I was shocked at their beauty as before and stood motionless.

Hayden had let go of me and stood at attention. Marcus bowed to them and exited. The atmosphere in the room was stiff and I had the feeling that this was more than just a casual recap of the events that had occurred.

“Greetings.” The sisters said in unison.

“Greetings, your Majesties.” The three of us said anxiously.

“We hear that you had yourself quite the adventure after your escape.” The dark-haired Elder said. We said nothing and stood stiffly.

“Hunter Levirious…” the blonde sister said.

They stood up in unison and walked to Hunter. Hayden and I had gone rigid. What did they plan to do with Hunter?

“We have several questions for you… for all of you,” they said together, circling Hunter. I did not like the way they said that and how they were watching us intently.

“You shall be taken to separate rooms and interrogated separately…” the dark-haired Elder said, glaring at each of us in turn.

I felt Hayden stiffen and a quick sideways glance proved that I was right. He was pissed. He did not want us separated and neither did I. The Elders strode back to their thrones and sat down with grace that any dancer would envy. Their robes billowed out from their hips and long strands of hair hung down their waists. They were beautiful but like threatening animals.

“The guards will take you to your separate rooms and you shall be asked what happened in detail. Once you have complied, you shall be free to return to your homes and continue with schooling at Parma High School.” the second blonde elder stated.

Guards entered the room and led us out. Hayden and I managed one last glance at each other before I was led down a separate hall and led into a room. It all happened so quickly that I felt an air of confusion swimming through my mind.