Chapter Text
Hunter ran from the house and fled into the woods. His breath uneven as he sprinted into the dark. Tree branches snaring his clothing and thorns cutting into his skin. But it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered anymore.
All his work, dedication and his loyalty. All of it a joke. Some sick joke for his unc- for Belos to laugh at and discard him when he got bored.
How many other Golden Guards bored him? Too many.
Why, though? What was the damn point of it all!
Hunter stumbled over something he couldn’t see. All he knew was the pain in his leg from falling the wrong way. Then he processed the information of a rock coming fast and then lights out.
Three hooded figures came out from the trees and locked down on the boy.
“Hunter!” Darius knelt beside the boy and rolled him over, checking his pulse. Still going strong.
Ebber let out a whine and looked at the two other Coven heads.
“He’s bleeding. We need to take him back to Eda.” Raine said.
Darius sighed. He was torn. To bring him back to the place he fled and to the place where the most wanted witch lived seemed like a bad decision.
But he had no choice. Bring him to a coven healer? Out of the equation. Even the night market healers we’re getting thinner and thinner. The last thing he wanted was an incompetent fool pretending to know what they were doing for a few snails or whatever they’d ask for.
Gently Darius picked the boy up in his arms and held him close to his chest as he walked towards the house. He seemed so light. Darius scolded himself for allowing that. Perhaps a few late night meals would have bettered him. If only he did that.
“You may stay behind if you wish.”
Raine gasped. “What?”
“You’ve gone through great lengths to ensure her safety. I can go and watch over him.” He turned to Ebberwolf. “You as well.”
Ebberwolf hummed and glanced at Raine for an answer.
“I, I’m not sure that will help.” Raine admitted.
Even when they tried to keep Eda away she still ended up in the mix. No doubt her kid would tell her everything and that would drag her into this mess. They looked up at Darius. “I think it’s time we let her know.”
“If you’re sure.” Darius eyed them, but continued on to the Owl House.
“Darius!” Eda growled. “What have you done to him?!”
Luz, still teary eyed, activated a fire glyph and held it in her hand. She marched right in front of Eda with it.
Darius was more than a competent fighter but Luz definitely intimidated him. So much so he took a step back. Her demeanor showed a side that he recognized. Mainly from his old mentor when he was in trouble.
Raine and Ebberwolf stepped out from behind him. “Eda.”
“Raine?!”
“Eda, you have to help him.”
Darius cleared his throat. “Owl Lady, human. I didn’t do anything to him. But he’s injured, help him.” He held Hunter out. “Please.”
Eda gritted her teeth before nodding. The desperation in his voice pulled on her parental instincts. “Alright. Get him inside. Hooty! Clear the room out. Hunter’s back!”
The bird immediately went to work, clearing out all the evidence of the previous project and readying the room for him. “Set him on the couch! King! Get the medical kit! Hooty, refortify the defenses! Luz, get some fresh clothes.”
Darius watched as the Owl Lady rushed around and treated his head. It took only moments. But to the man watching each moment took an eternity.
“He’s stable. Probably a concussion if he knocked himself out.” She still eyed Darius suspiciously.
“As for you, Whispers. We will be talking after you all explain why you were outside my house and happened to be next to Hunter when he injured himself.” He eyed all three of them this time.
Darius huffed and nodded. “I suppose explanations are in order.”
Darius straightened himself and knelt beside Hunter. “Who do you think gave you the little love letter?”
Eda immediately locked eyes with Raine.
“Eda, I’m sorry for what I did. But it was the only way to keep you safe.”
“Safe? Safe?! I got goons knocking on my door regularly and now I have two traumatized kids in my house seeing Titan knows what in that sick fuck’s mind!” Eda exclaimed.
Darius moved the lock of hair from Hunter’s face. He couldn’t care less about the bickering in this dumpster fire of a relationship. He just wanted Hunter to wake up.
“Eda, we were trying to find a way to stop the day of unity. But we needed ingredients for the spell and they would go bad fast. That’s why we did it so quickly. We didn’t want anyone getting hurt. Especially your kids.” They said. The worry of the kids was mainly their concern. But the others emphasized as well, at least Darius did.
Eda was about to respond when a groan brought their attention to the elephant in the room. Even though only one person knew what an elephant was.