Hunter

Chapter 44

**

"Arthur! Arthur!"

My father's voice, filled with an awful fear, caught my ears. I came out of his office, just in time to see him set foot upstairs. His eyes showed what I perceived in his voice.

"Put the circle in your pocket! Quick! We need to leave! Untie Ul, he needs to go too, but not with us."

It was time. What we had dreaded for days was happening. I repressed my fear as much as I could, but it was stronger than me. I was horrified and dead scared when I thought my father could die because of me! I rushed downstairs while dad shoved herbs in a purse he tied to his belt.

Outside, I untied Ul who just stared at me until I ordered him to run. I was surprised to see him flatten his ears and run away.

"Arthur!"

My father caught my arm with one hand, holding a dagger in the other. He hauled me and we rushed straight forward into the forest, aware that Sophie's prediction was to come true any minute, but what would the outcome be?

"Whatever happens, don't stop!"

My father pushed me in front of him.

"I'm right behind."

**

          We were running at full speed, zigzaging between trees. It was a miracle none of us had fallen upto this point. Then all of a sudden, a root litteraly stretched in our way. I saw it and jumped over it, but Arthur did not and fell flat with a smothered sound on the forest ground. I caught his arm and helped him back up before I wheeled. Alexandre Édouard and his right hand, smiling and victorious, stood before us. The warlock wore black clothes, a long cloak on his shoulders descended to his feet. He stood straight, his gaze threatening and yet marked by a certain pleasure. He had dark hair, a straight nose and his eyes were... brown with golden speckles. Just like... 

Non! Impossible!

With one hand, I pushed Arthur behind me.

"Well! We finally meet! Nice to meet you!

He bowed.

"I'm not sure." I replied sharply.

He pulled a falsly hurt face.

"Now, now... Stay polite."

As he saw I was not going to answer, his smile erased and his expression harden. Expression which seemed natural for him.

"You see, Gustave. I must admit I'm impressed. You've well kept the secret of this young man you hide in your back. But sadly... I need this boy. So, here is my offer: you give him to me without a fuss, and we will both peacefully go back to our lives. Or, I'll have to use force. What do you think?"

"You won't touch my son."

He burst out into a dismal laughter that echoed in the forest which seemed to darken all of a sudden.

"Your son? I'm disappointed, I thought you were smarter than that. I thought you would have figured it out by now... He's not your son, Gustave... He's mine."

Behind me, Arthur froze and I heard his breath break, as if he had just been punched, even Farax seemed surprised. He looked up to his master, as if to check he was not lying. As for me, I had figured it out a few minutes before when I had discovered that warlock's face. The resemblance between Arthur and him was striking.