Tragedy (A Golden Guard/Hunter x Reader)

Chapter 11 • Pain

TW: Violence and excessive force. Read at your own risk.

"Hunter, what is going on?!" I begin panicking.

If Gus and Willow are in trouble, then, so is Luz. I should have never left her alone. I knew she would get herself in trouble and I left her. If she's hurt it's all my fault.

"I-I don't know!" He exclaims, worried. He takes a deep breath and continues. "Put your mask back on and we'll go check it out."

I slick my hair back and nod. I grab my coven guard mask and slip it over my head, adjusting it to be just right. Hunter does the same, and leads me to the door.

"Stay close to me, got it? If I lose you in a crowd of guards I won't be able to tell which one is you." Hunter informs grabbing the doorknob.

I nod in understanding. He does the same and opens the door. Hunter checks both ways to make sure no one will spot us. Once he motions that it's clear, we move. Rushing down the hallway, we spot guard after guard scurrying past. Hunter grabs one by the arm and pulls them aside.

"You. What's the meaning of this?" His voice is harder, more demanding.

"Golden Guard, sir." They bow slightly. "Lilith has captured a human and challenged the Owl Lady to a witches duel."

I tense at their words, and my heart drops. Eda's...coming here? She can't. Her curse has been acting up lately. Who knows what's going to happen? Hunter lets the scout go, and they continue their previous route. I tug on Hunter's cloak.

"Hunter, we have to go." I whisper to him, trembling.

"I know. Remember, stay close." He replies, following the crowd of scouts.

I follow after him, my breathing heavy. Thoughts of what Lilith could possibly be doing to Luz flood my mind. Regret pangs my heart. I had been so caught up with my feelings for Hunter that we had hardly spent any time together.

This can't be how it ends. I push myself harder, pump my legs faster. The closer we get, the denser the crowd. As the scouts spot Hunter they all move aside, creating a path. They all begin pushing me back in the sea of identical uniforms. Soon, Hunter stands alone. He looks around at all the witches around him frantically, trying to spot me.

"Golden Guard." A voice rings through my head. Everyone goes deathly still, indicating they also hear the voice. "Report to me immediately."

I watch Hunter go tense, beginning to shake just enough for me to notice. He takes a deep breath and reluctantly walks away. Once he turns the corner, the commotion starts again.

Being alone now, I continue to follow the crowd. I get pushed outside the castle, onto a long walkway that overlooks the front. Just outside, Lilith stands just before the drawbridge. She looks to be getting impatient. Luz is nowhere to be seen.

I chew the inside of my cheek, tears welling in my eyes as I think of where she could possibly be. As more and more guards rush outside, I get squished between two scouts, neither seem to be bothered by the uncomfortable contact. I try to shift as my arms get pinned to my sides, everyone now packed tightly together.

Finally, Eda shows up. Before Lilith can get out a single sentence, Eda begins attacking. While her magic is the most powerful I've seen from her in a long time, I know she's using far too much to be able to control her curse. Lilith shields herself.

Eda lessens the gap between her and her sister. They begin talking, but I can't hear a word they're saying over the muttering of the countless scouts. Lilith taps her staff on the ground, and Luz shoots into view inside a blue bubble. A small gasp escapes my mouth, luckily none of the scouts bat an eye.