Chapter 13
Writer's POV
The moon was high over the palace grounds as the Elite Hunters gathered for night training. The lit area, casting flickering shadows on the stone pathways. The air was crisp with a hint of night chills.
Elite Hunters went through rigorous drills under the watchful eyes of the Hunters' leader, Lexi. Night training was intense, meant to sharpen skills in darkness where shadows played tricks on perception. They practiced stealth moves, silent takedowns, and tracking in low light.
After the training ended, the hunters gathered around a large fire pit at the edge of the grounds. They sat on benches or cross-legged on the ground, unwinding with tales of past wars. The fire crackled, casting warm light on their faces.
Lexi sat apart from the others, as aloof as usual. His piercing green eyes watched the flames with an unreadable expression, his dark armor still on, his posture conveying a "do not approach" air.
Henry, on the other hand, sat with a slight smile to himself as he listened to the banter around him but that is not the cause of his joy. He'd removed his leather gloves, and his hands were warm around a cup of herbal tea one of the others had gave him. Unlike Lexi he was approachable. He glanced at Lexi once or twice, his smile softening further into a thoughtful look.
The others talked about a hunt of vampires laughing about a particularly tricky prey. Henry chuckled along with them but his eyes kept drifting back to the shadows beyond the firelight, maybe thinking of something or someone.
As the night wore on and the fire burned lower, the hunters began to disperse to their quarters in the palace. Leaving Lexi and Henry behind.
"What with that smile. A girl the reason?" Lexi asked uninterested but still cared for his friend, his piercing green eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at Henry.
Henry's smile faded a bit under Lexi's direct gaze. He didn't want to admit it, especially not about Hazel. "No reason," Henry said, brushing it off. "Just thinking about the werewolves."
Lexi raised an eyebrow but didn't press the matter. His not a type to argue. He nodded once and turned to leave.
Henry watched Lexi vanish into the night shadows. Then he spoke up, his voice low. "Lexi, wait."
Lexi stopped back, his expression neutral.
Henry hesitated before asking, "What about the princess? Still making... unacceptable advances on you?"
Lexi's face was unreadable for a moment. "That's the least of our worries. The vampires and werewolves are joining forces, you know the consequences. Let's
focus on that." Lexi replied "The princess's behavior is as it always is," he said finally, his voice devoid of emotion. "I handle it."
Henry nodded slowly. "You handle things like no one else. See ya at the reunion with the king tomorrow,he needs to know what we've found out"
Lexi gave a slight nod and walked away again, disappearing into the shadows without another word.