The Last Silvermaw Hunter

Chapter 4

Sander

Something's off and I can't tell what it is. Sighing, I closed my laptop and ran my hand over my face.

"You look tired, Griffin," a female voice behind me said, "go home and look after your sister. You've had a rough week."

Turning, I looked at my boss, "Are you sure?" I asked, I didn't want to go if she needed me here.

"Yes," She said, crossing her arms over her chest, "go now. We got this."

"Thank you" I said, opening the top right drawer of my desk and grabbed my gun, badge and keys. I got my jacket off of my chair and ran to the parking lot.

It wasn't until I was halfway home did I realize what was wrong.

Adorite.

When she was recovering she was quiet, this morning she woke up, and now her mind is silent.

The string of curse words that followed would have Adorite smacking the back of my head and telling me to knock it off.

It wasn't very long until I got home. I checked every room - even in the forest.

What I didn't realize was that in my haste to find my sister, I completely ignored the letter on our kitchen counter and the notch on the top of our back door.

The notch was our S.O.S. signal.

Look on the counter.

The command was a quiet whisper. But I knew who it was from. Our father.

Khonsu?

He didn't answer, which was normal for the few times he contacts me. I went into our kitchen, then noticed the concealed note.

Adorite

It was the whispering of the wind that woke me up.

At least, that was what I thought, until a soft, cold hand touched my cheek. I shot up like a bullet, with the wrist locked in a death grip, staring into the eyes the exact copy of mine.

"June." I said, my voice cracking as I said my mother's name. Her oval face was flush, and her silver eyes sparkled with sadness. Her hair was nearly as pale as her skin. And sitting on her head was a crown of silver and diamonds. It was shaped like flames reaching to the sky.

"Hello, my Pearl." Her voice is soft as the wind, filled with sadness.

"Don't. Don't call me that." I hissed, getting up hastily. I looked around the room. Everything was black. The ceiling, walls, books and shelves, the bed frame, the sheets, even the dress I was wearing.

It was an obsidian black gown, with a full skirt that flowed to my feet, a slit cutting through and up to my hip, and revealing - too much of - my right leg, with a sweetheart neckline, low back for my wings and off-the-shoulder sleeves giving me an intimidating and powerful look.

"You will address the queen consort as Your Highness or Your Majesty." A silky voice told me, full of warning.

"Give us a moment alone. Saber." My mother said, her tone leaving no argument on what she had ordered.

Saber came from the darkest corner of the room, and mumbled something under his breath. Ramming his shoulder into me as he passed. One word rang loud and true when he passed. "B*tch."

One second he was headed to the door, the next his sword that was strapped across his back was out of its sheath, and he was pinned against one of the bookshelves with the blade pressed up against his neck, with enough pressure to draw a drop of blood.