Page 47 of Demons In My Head: Exposing the Exiled
"Of course I am. He's..." I gestured helplessly, unable to find the right words to describe what Hunter meant to me. I almost said he's all I have, because prior to coming to Port Black, that would've been accurate. Now, though, that simply wasn't true.
Jasper's form flickered closer, his cold presence oddly comforting. "He's family."
I nodded. He was my family, and he always would be. Finding someone in life that you not only walked through fire with but rose through those flames? That was rare as hell.
"He'll be fine, darling. Hunter knows what he's doing."
"Yeah," I agreed, watching Hunter pace as his fingers flew across his phone, tapping out a reply to whatever message he'd just received. "He better be."
Because the next time I saw him, we were either going to be celebrating our victories or planning our next desperate move. There was no in-between anymore.
Hunter tucked his phone away and turned to face me, his expression a mix of determination and something softer that made my chest ache. "Got a lead on Fern. Heading out in ten."
"Just like that?" I tried to keep my voice steady, but fuck if this didn't feel like losing another piece of my carefully constructed world.
"Just like that," he confirmed, stepping closer. "But hey, when this shit show is over, come visit me in Emerald Lakes. You need to meet Cam and his crazy family. Pretty sure you and Saige would get along great, and you could really use a female friend."
I snorted, crossing my arms. "Is that supposed to offend me?"
"You can be offended all you like, you know it’s the truth." His smirk faded into something more serious. "Plus, you should see what a real family looks like. Might do you some good."
"I know what family looks like," I muttered, glancing at Jasper, who was pretending to examine a battle axe while obviously eavesdropping.
"Yeah, you do now." Hunter pulled me into another hug, this one tighter than before. "Don't die in demon land, okay? I'd have to come resurrect your ass just to kill you myself for leaving me with all the paperwork."
I laughed against his shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of gunpowder and that stupid, expensive cologne he always wore. "Same goes for you. No more getting captured by psycho ex-boyfriends."
"Hey, that was one time!"
"One time too many," Jasper chimed in, his ghostly form drifting closer.
Hunter released me and turned to Jasper, his expression surprisingly serious. "Take care of her, yeah? She acts tough, but she's actually kind of an idiot sometimes."
"Standing right here," I growled, but there was no heat behind it.
"I know." Hunter grinned. "That's why I said it." He shouldered his pack and headed for the door, pausing in the threshold. "Oh, and Palmer? When you see The Exiled... try not to stab anyone before talking? Just a suggestion."
"No promises," I called after him, but he was already gone, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.
I stood there for a moment, staring at the empty doorway and trying to ignore the hollow feeling in my chest. It wasn't goodbye, not really. But something told me that when I saw Hunter again, we'd both be different people.
"Ready?" Jasper asked softly, his cold presence wrapping around me like a familiar blanket.
I checked my weapons one last time, took a deep breath, and nodded. "Yeah. Before we go crash the demon realm, I need to address the members of The Exiled. I need to make sure they're prepared for anything and everything while we're gone."
"That's my girl, taking care of the kingdom," Jasper whispered, and for once, I didn't argue with the possessive term. Because maybe, just maybe, I was finally ready to belong somewhere—or to someone. Multiple someones, if Jasper's knowing smirk was anything to go by.
Time to face my demons, explain myself, and hopefully not get murdered in the process. But first, we had a realm to break into.
I weaved through the building, admiring one of Felix's murals as I made my way down to the main level. It reminded me of how focused and beautiful Felix was. My heart squeezed without warning. I missed him—my dark, tortured artist. I found myself sighing and glancing at Jasper from the corner of my eye, finding him smiling softly.
"Did you just… mind hug me? Or something? Snake does that to me, you know." I whispered, not wanting anyone listening in as they walked by.
"Mind hug?" he tossed his head back and laughed. "Yeah, darling. Something like that. Why? Did it feel good?"
I found myself grinning before I could stop myself. "Actually, I fucking hated it. Never do it again."
His smile widened, and he lifted a brow. "Understood, Commander Vale. Won't happen again." He saluted me, and I flipped him off so fast it would've impressed Rhodes.
