MOR-01. Warrior Of Mist, page 39
part #1 of Mists Of Redemption Series
Was he shielding me?
The crowd of Hunters collapsed on the ground.
“Thank you,” I whispered. Maybe it was arrogant to think that Kesstel let up because of me, but everything implied that he did. Even so, I was grateful. I’d heard stories about angry S Hunters, and none of them ended happily.
Kesstel tipped his head to the side, acknowledging my gratitude.
Resisting the urge to smile, I stepped to the side so I could see around his shoulder to where Emma and her team were.
Mason had dropped to his knees, and Emma held his shoulders steady. She whispered something to him, and he nodded slowly. Looking at the rest of her team, she checked on them as they regained their composure. Then Emma turned toward me, and our eyes locked from around Kesstel. Worry and anxiety were thick in her gaze.
“Mr. Noblé,” President Price said. His back was ramrod straight, his face pale. He flicked a glance behind Kesstel, trying to get a better look at me, but Kesstel had practically cut off all visual access. “As I said, his accusation was a mistake. A lot has happened today, and tempers are high. On behalf of my guild, I want to apologize.”
Kesstel hummed low. “Was it a mistake? Are you sure? If you’d like, you’re welcome to check my Items Bag.” His mellow voice sent shivers down the spine.
I let out a small breath, glad that he wasn’t talking to me. Still, I couldn’t help but think how cool Kesstel was right now. How easily he controlled everyone before him. It wasn’t just his power but his very air that demanded respect. It was completely different from Blake’s bullyish insistence or Price’s I-am-the-Boss facade. All I could say was that Kesstel must have totally aced his lordly duke training.
I wonder if he’d teach me?
What little color remained in President Price’s face drained away. “No! No.” He cleared his throat and announced, “I know that Mr. Noblé is a man of honor. This was a clear misunderstanding.” He shot a glare at Blake, who was still putty on the ground. “If there is anything I can do to clear up any hard feelings, please just ask.” Just like that, Price slipped into well-connected presidential mode.
“Ho, anything, huh?” Kesstel’s voice lowered as a cold smile hooked his lip.
Price’s face blanched.
Kesstel turned his head and glanced at me. I looked back, confused at what he wanted. Was there something on my face?
He turned back. “I can’t think of anything right now.” Kesstel didn’t even wait for the president to properly sigh in relief before he went on. “As for the theft of your energy crystal—good luck finding it.” He dismissed the president and turned to me. “Let’s go.”
“Ah …” I paused and looked past his arm to where Emma knelt, watching me.
He glanced over his shoulder in her general direction. I didn’t know if he knew exactly where I was looking, but he had to be close. He faced me again, the apathetic glaze in his eyes melting away. “So here is fine?”
It took me a second to realize he was talking about the drop-off spot. Had he really been planning on taking me all the way out of Gate Vale? Still, I had a couple more daily tasks to complete with the last remaining hours available in the Gate, and I needed to check in with Emma before she became any more traumatized. I promise it wasn’t my intention to keep “dying” on her.
I looked up at him and slowly nodded. Really, I didn’t need any more of the attention Kesstel naturally drew to himself and those around him. As soon as he was gone, I could just fade into the background. “Right here is fine. Thank you.” There were too many people staring at me to manage a full smile, so my face ended up in an odd spasm.
He must have thought my face was funny because he softly smiled and gave a short laugh. “Okay. Till next time.”
I nodded. “Goodbye.”
It wasn’t until he was gone that I realized I’d totally just promised to see him again. Before I could take it back, he’d already walked away, parting the crowd of Hunters like he was parting the Red Sea. Mentally, I wanted to scream and cover my face with my hands. But as soon as Kesstel left my side, every Hunter turned to stare at me. Under so many eyes, my muscles froze stiff. I had half a mind to call Kesstel back so I could hide behind him, but my pride wouldn’t let me.
Kesstel walked right past President Price as if he wasn’t there. When he reached the still shriveled Blake, Kesstel paused and looked down. Blake focused on the feet standing before him before looking up into Kesstel’s face. I don’t know what he saw, but he went white as a ghost and his knees gave out. He clunked back onto his butt, his armor rattling as he shivered and stared at Kesstel in horror.
Kesstel snorted and walked away without looking back.
He crossed the clear boundaries into the marshland southeast of Feng Jungle until his form faded from view. I blinked out of my daze when someone moved into my personal space. It took me a second to register the two thin arms wrapping around me.
Emma hugged me tight and buried her head in my shoulder, shivering. I didn’t know if it was leftover nerves from Kesstel’s aura or if it had to do with her thinking I was dead. Her hot tears wet my neck where her cheek brushed my skin. “Wher-where did you go?” she sobbed. “I promised that I’d protect you and just like that, you were gone! Again!”
A helpless smile pulled on my lips as I smoothed her back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” I shifted back enough to look at her face. “But I’m back. And I’m fine. See?” I spread my arms out wide.
She shook her head, anxiety, relief, and mock anger playing across her face. “Goodness’ sake, I’m starting to think you’re invincible.” She huffed a laugh and stepped back, wiping at her tears. “I mean, this is the second time you’ve come back from the dead, right?” She took a breath and finally smiled. “I like your new armor. It looks cool, and almost a little sexy. Where’d you get it? Why didn’t you wear it earlier?”
I paused. “Ah, it’s …” Completely new. Courtesy of screwing over your guild. But at least you weren’t implicated, so that’s a bonus, right?
I was saved from answering when Mason and the rest of his team joined us. By now, the rest of the guild had made it back on their feet and were talking excitedly with each other. And most of them were still staring at me. On the other side of the crowd, President Price and Blake were having a highly animated conversation, but I couldn’t hear what it was about through all the people in the way.
Mason smiled at me. “Glad to see you.” The rest of the team echoed his sentiments.
Billy scowled and frowned at me. “You’re not dead.” Unlike when Trace said those words, there was a softer tone in Billy’s voice. As if he was actually glad that I was still alive.
“Billy,” Morgan gasped, whacking him on the shoulder. “You could be a little nicer, you know.”
I waved a hand. “No, he’s fine. It’s true; I’m not dead.”
“And that’s a good thing,” Emma piped up.
“Where’s Trace?” Mason asked, looking around as if he was expecting to see that son of a bitch hiding in the bushes somewhere. “He disappeared at the same time you did, while we were killing off the other serpent. I thought you two might be together.”
“Ah, he …” I paused, trying to figure out what to say. Should I really tell Mason that he’d brought a hitman into his group? I bet he’d hate knowing that. “We were together briefly, but then he”—turned into a monster—“was killed by a monster.” Actually, it was a Hunter, but sometimes, what’s the difference? I mean, in the end, Trace finally became the monster he was inside.
“Who was that guy?” Axe Guy Nick turned his head and looked in the direction Kesstel had gone. “How did you become friends with an S?”
My mind stalled. We’d interacted several times, but I didn’t know that I’d call Kesstel a friend. Honestly, I didn’t know how to classify him. Obviously not a friend—I wasn’t that brave—and I couldn’t even say we were on the same team, even though I got a lot of my information from him. He didn’t give a damn about saving Earth, while I was trying to figure out how to do just that. But I couldn’t deny that he’d helped me out more than a few times.
Ah, the appropriate answer was, it’s complicated.
I bit my lips. “His name is Kesstel. He found me in the jungle after I was separated from Trace, and he brought me out.”
Kip piped up. “God, he’s gorgeous and powerful. Can you introduce me?”
Kesstel’s story of being bred handsome popped into my mind, and I almost laughed. Then I remembered Trace and wanted to smack my forehead. I didn’t think anyone else should deal with being hunted down over a guy. “I don’t know him that well. And I got the impression that he’s kinda a lone wolf.”
As apathetic as he was, I doubted he was interested in romance. Especially when he had Bethany Wilks as an option. Not to mention, it was typically not a good thing for Hunters to have too big a gap in power with their lovers. The weaker Hunter’s health would start to decline if they were together too much. Maybe a B Hunter wouldn’t have that much trouble with an S, but that depended on how strong the S was. I had a feeling Kesstel was off the charts.
“Well, well.” President Price came through the crowd and stopped beside me. Mason and his team naturally stepped back, making room. Price had taken off his helmet and combed his hair back from his handsome, square face. “I didn’t know that a friend of Kesstel Noblé was in my guild. It’s an honor. You should have said something earlier so I wouldn’t have been so blindsided just now.” He grinned with the air of a successful businessman, but no matter how suave his smile was, there was a cold glint in his eyes as if he was trying to figure out how to use me to his advantage already.
I frowned, not impressed at all. “I’m not in your guild. It’s just a short-term contract.”
He flicked a glance at my shoulder, completely devoid of his guild’s patch. The smile almost slid off his face before it came back even brighter. “I see. Well, what do you think about joining the Stone Mace guild? I can assure you, you would be signed on with the highest contract and enjoy the best benefits we have to offer.” His low voice was smooth as butter, making his deal sound like only a fool wouldn’t accept.
CHAPTER 55
Emma and her team stiffened, obviously shocked. An offer like that was unheard of for someone with my rank. Just letting a grunt E join a guild with this level of prestige would be considered generous.
I continued to look at President Price, not letting my thoughts show. He wasn’t interested in signing me; he was interested in signing an S-ranked Hunter’s friend. Ss normally didn’t join guilds—they didn’t need to, since the government paid them a lot of money to get rid of the stronger monsters in the Gate, on top of whatever income they got from selling the monster’s byproducts. But there were a couple S Hunters in guilds, like the Soul Fae guild and Frost guild, mostly because their friends were in there. And any guild with an S was automatically bumped to the top of the pyramid.
I looked into Price’s face and shook my head. “No, thank you.” There wasn’t an ounce of negotiation in my tone.
True, a contract like that would solve all my financial needs, even without knowing the full number he was offering. But no amount of money would be worth all the trouble I’d get in exchange.
I could only imagine how ugly Price would turn when he found out that he’d offered a high contract to an E, thinking he got a cash cow, only to find out it was a pile of manure instead. I knew one hundred percent that signing me would not rope Kesstel in. Not to mention Blake was in this guild. Even with Emma to smooth it over, I refused to commit to a guild with that asshole in it. If we were in the same guild, who knew how often we’d run into each other? Since Price and Blake were obviously on good terms, and Price was interested in me, I’d probably see him more than I wanted.
Not to mention the guild requirements I’d have to fulfill while eyes watched for slipups from everywhere. It just wouldn’t work with my System, which seemed determined to keep me solo.
President Price’s eyes flared wide, and he froze like a statue, obviously not expecting a little E to reject his generous offer without even taking the time to think about it.
Emma and the rest of her crew gasped, just as surprised.
Price took a deep breath and found his smile again. “Miss—”
“Since the expedition is over, there are things I need to do. But it was nice to meet you, President Price.” I bobbed my head at him, then smiled at Emma. “I guess this is goodbye for now.” I looked at the rest of the team. “Thanks for letting me hang out with you all.”
Emma blinked out of her shock and stepped forward. “I’ll accompany you.” She nodded a quick hello-goodbye at her guild president and followed me as I walked through the crowd.
The Hunters were still split, creating a clear pathway to the pale purple transportation circle. They all stared at me with mixed emotions, from ridicule for declining the president’s generous offer to relief that a weak E wouldn’t be joining their guild after all. I took a page out of Kesstel’s book and walked with my chin up, as calm and steady on the outside as I didn’t feel inside. Emma walked at my side and kept glancing at me, a question on her face. The rest of Emma’s group caught up to us just as we reached the circle.
But my whole attention was drawn to Blake, just ten feet away.
Mark had a hold of his elbow, and he was pulling Blake up to his feet. The two men looked at me. Mark’s face was uncertain and confused. There was also a strong note of recognition in his eyes; he remembered who I was—and the fact that I should be dead. Blake’s features were more extreme. Anger and blame burned in his eyes as his brows knotted together, turning his handsome face almost ugly. Even though he didn’t know I was involved in the energy crystal fiasco, he’d obviously credited me with the humiliation he’d just suffered under Kesstel’s hand.
Blake threw Mark’s hands off and stood up straight. He lifted his chin and sneered down his nose at me. “What do you think you’re looking at?” he snarled.
An asshole. “Nothing,” I said evenly. “I’m looking at absolutely nothing.” Because he was nothing. Before he could come up with something else, I stepped into the circle. My body became weightless, and a second later, I was hurtling across the sky at a breathtaking rate toward the Gate at the middle of Gate Vale.
I landed on the other side and took a couple running steps to get rid of the momentum the magic circle had put on my body. The last time I’d come out of the circle on this side, it was with an injured crew, and there were healers waiting for us. That wasn’t the case now. A couple Hunters exiting the Gate looked over at me before they disregarded me entirely and exited the Vale.
As soon as I was clear, Emma landed, followed by Mason, Billy, Morgan, Kip, and Nick. Ever the perfectly supportive team.
I couldn’t help but look at them. If Blake’s team had an ounce of the work ethic and diligence that these six lower-leveled Hunters had, his team would be frighteningly strong. I couldn’t even think of all the things they’d be able to do. I mean, with the talent that Blake had in his team, they wouldn’t even really need to rely on a giant crystal or new recruits to increase the ranking of the Stone Mace guild. I could tell that with a glance. But he was wasting their talent instead of setting them up to grow and be the best they could be. Sad, really. Didn’t any of them realize Blake was holding them back?
Mentally, I shook my head. If only those Hunters were under Mason. He was too much of a goody-goody, but he was a good team leader.
Emma walked up to me. “Jynn, are you sure you don’t want to join our guild? I mean, a top-tier contract is … amazing. Like seven-digits-a-year amazing.”
I shook my head. “I’m not who Price thinks I am. I was just lucky that Kesstel was there to save me, that’s all.” I checked the time on my main menu then smiled at her. “But I do actually have to go. It’s already 4:00 p.m., and there are things I have to do before sunset. We’ll have to hang out sometime outside of the Gate.” I still had to cultivate for thirty minutes and destroy five energy crystals. Ah, I guess I only need to destroy four now.
Mason held out his hand. “I have to say, you’re a lot tougher than I thought. I can see why Emma idolizes you so much.”
She blushed and looked down.
I shook his hand. “Thanks. Emma’s in a good team.” I nodded at all of them.
Mason let go. “We’ll contact you in a couple days with your pay.”
Technically, my pay was under contract, so I knew what I should be getting. But it wouldn’t surprise me if I actually got less than contracted. After all, the Stone Mace guild wasn’t going to be getting the huge paycheck they’d gambled for. It made me wonder how the teams were going to be paid—if they were going to be paid for the trouble they went through at all. The guild took a huge hit, and I was making out like a bandit. I felt bad for Emma and her team, but not for the guild as a whole.
What I felt most guilty over was the Eden and Garden City hospitals. Since that energy crystal was supposed to go to them, they were the true losers in this mess. But for Earth’s sake, I’d destroy the crystal again in a heartbeat. Anything to hold off the parasite planet for a little longer until I could figure out a way to make it go away.
I waved at them and turned. “Goodbye.”
“Wait!” Billy stepped forward, reaching for my arm.
I sidestepped his hand and turned to face him. “What?”
His fingers closed into a fist, and he scowled as he dropped his hand back to his side. “Is it my fault that you turned down the contract?” He rushed on before I could answer. “I know what I said this morning about joining the team, but turning down a chance like this is a dumbass move. I don’t know what you mean by ‘I’m not who President Price thinks I am,’ but you’re never going to get a deal better than this.”
My lips pulled to the side, and I shook my head. “My decision had nothing to do with what you said this morning.” Honestly, so much had happened since he threatened me, I’d forgotten about it until now. “I don’t partner up. It’s as simple as that.”
