Of Feathers and Fire - Book 2

Chapter 8

Hunter's POV

''Hunter'' my mother called to me ''it's time we spoke''

''You are dead'' I stumbled back, landing on a rock

''No Hunter, I am not dead, merely in another life'' my mother smiled, she was so beautiful ''Hunter, I don't have much time but you need to get your facts together about the black market''

''What do you mean?'' I questioned ''I have gone through the facts with a fine comb''

''You have missed one thing Hunter, the family of the Earth Phoenix'' she remarked as we both looked over to see Willow sleeping on the grass next to us ''her family plays a big role in all of this''

''Her family?'' I questioned ''they are but mere humans''

''Yes but they cared for her knowing what she was, hence why they fled'' she took a step closer ''you saved Willow from a trap that day my son''

I shook my head at this news ''so they were waiting for Willow to turn?'' my blood started to boil

My mother nodded ''I have to go Hunter but please look after this creature'' she bent down and stroked Willows cheek ''she doesn't need to suffer''

''I will mother'' I smiled looking at Willow

I shot awake in cold sweats, my mother came to me. I looked over at Willow who was still peacefully sleeping bedside me

''I guess you needed a bit of release in order to sleep my love'' I kissed her cheek gently and got out of bed and walked to the office.

I looked at the clock on my desk 3:45am, this is going to be a long one. I took all the folders my mother and I had on the black market and I started to look through them again.

''This is just the same thing over and over again!'' I said in frustration

A book fell off the shelf called BM Trading as Stockholm, I have never seen this book before. I opened it and I was like a child in a candy store with all this new information.

''Thanks mom'' I whispered and started through the book.

April 18th 2004 – I have discovered an Earth Phoenix living on Earth, she is most beautiful. I need to somehow get closer to this ''family'' that is caring for her. These people are in alliance with the leader of the black market.

June 27th 2005 – I have witnessed Mr Kenneth talking to a stranger at the same coffee shop over a period of 7 days, it would seem this man may be the leader. Will need to dig further.

''Willow was a prisoner after all'' my head hung low ''why did my mother keep this from me?'' I questioned

On the next page was a picture of a young Willow, a little girl sitting in and amongst the flowers that were in the woods

July 5th 2006 – She is growing up so wonderfully, ignorant to what is going on around her. She will need protection upon the day I die. I find myself growing weaker on Earth trying to keep her safe. I have fought off all the catchers trying to get to her already. Hunter, my son will be perfect, he poses the tainted bloodline from his father.

Then there was a huge timeline gap, this made me think harder, why?

March 7th 2012 – Willow is nearing her teenage years.

May 25th 2012 – The leader has met with her at the same coffee shop. He is pretending to be her uncle. She needs to maintain her memories in order for the council to get this information from her. The leader is going by uncle Shen.

August 26th 2012 – Uncle Shen is growing closer to Willow each day, obviously gaining her trust to one day lure her into the black market without the knowledge of her going into a dark and traitorous place.

And then another huge timeline gap, almost around the time my mother passed away. I wonder what she was doing in the space of all this time, gathering extra information?

February 15th 2020 – 8 years have passed, she is now 16. I have befriended Willow and tried to subtly tell her about her uncle. She refuses to hear anything bad about her uncle. My magic is draining more and more as I continue to use it to disguise myself as a teenager. Hunter better not leave her unattended but my passing will hurt him. I shall place a protection spell around her property until he comes for her.

September 23rd 2020 – I have made my return to hell to speak with the council regarding my findings. Lord Quinn seems happy enough to let Hunter take over my seat and has agreed that if Willow does come to hell, the council shall leave her be until the time comes for Hunter to being her in.

There were a few pictures of Willow, two years later as she was transforming into her true form and then it hit me, these were my mother's last photographs, her last remains and her last words to me. I looked through the book again, carefully looking at the pictures and carefully reading them again. Willow wouldn't understand if I told her what I had just found out. As I pushed the book one side to open the other BM book and start cross referencing an envelope slipped out on the side, I opened it to find a letter

Dearest Hunter,

If you are reading this it means I have passed from this place. Cross breeds, like me, land up in another realm after passing, our souls go there.

So I am not leaving you, I just won't be in your line of sight.

You have found this book which means the time has come for you to bring down the market. Go to the council and tell them.

Willow is your mate, I willed it before I passed on. She is a beautiful creature Hunter, don't stop loving her or protecting her. Sadly she cannot have children my son, her womb had been taken when she was still a baby, it is a very sad situation for the family but she is immortal, you will never be alone.

The black market remove such things from female children so that their masters never have to worry about such things.

Be careful my son, I am so sorry I am not here to watch you grow and become a man. You will certainly be great.

With all my heart

Mother