The Hunting: Ch 12

Instructions

TW: Talk of tort*re, murd3r, very strange romance :P The “guards” take us to a treehouse at the very top of an enormous sequoia tree. Inside is a fairly cozy space with a large throne with engravings of various animals and symbols etched into the oak. A handful of wooden chairs are scattered across the room. Zara stands up when she sees us. “Oh, hello. Take a seat. What do you think of my kingdom?” “I think someone has delusions of grandeur,” Onyx mutters under her breath. “Winter,” Zara purrs as she paces the room, pausing to look him in the eyes. “I can’t remember the last time I saw you…was it, I don’t know, two years?” “TWO YEARS!” She screams at him, slapping him in the face. Winter flinches. “You left me stranded in the middle of the forest, lost, starving, and being chased by a group of bloodthirsty hunters!” “I thought you were dead!” “But you knew I was alive! I sent word to you as soon as I could!” “Well-” Winter sighs. “I’m sorry, I had the Den to run, I didn’t have time to visit you!” “YOU SHOULD HAVE! I’M YOUR GIRLFRIEND!” “Oh boy,” Onyx smirks. “This is better than a drama show.” “What is going on right now?” I whisper. “It’s a long story,” they say. “Now isn’t the best time. But I’m sure you can squeeze the truth out of Zara.” “You have some nerve,” Zara snaps. “Did you trespass on my territory just to be a jerk?” “No!” Winter yells. “If you must know, we’re planning to rescue hundreds of therians who are being tort*red, hunted and murd3red in the Wilds.” “Oh?” Zara raises an eyebrow. “And how are you going to do that? Six therians can’t do much against all those Hunters.” My heart sinks. It’s true. Even if we had brought the entire Den with us we wouldn’t have enough fighters. We were doomed from the start. “But, because it’s such a noble cause, I’ll come with you, darling. Think of it as a blo0dy, vi0lent opportunity to get to know each other.” “What?” Winter sputters. “Yes, and don’t worry, sweetheart. Zara knows how to make things like your little scheme work. Jupiter, you’re in charge while I’m gone.” The slightly older-looking teenager nodded. “What-but-” “Of course, I’m still going to punish you. You and your friends are sentenced to the rest of the day in the jailhouse. We’ll leave in the morning.” “Why do you even have a jail?” Winter mutters. “Because I’m always prepared, darling, and anyone who’s well prepared will have a jail in their kingdom. See you later, Winter.”