The Last Hunter: Collected Edition (Antarktos Saga #1-5)

It is an act of mercy so subtle that it could easily be missed or explained away, and while I do not expect him to repeat it, or go back on his promise to kill Luca if I do not show, it is a shred of hope I will cling to.

I walk on stiff legs to where Whipsnap was flung and pick up my weapon. “We’re going to bury your father. We’re going to bury him today. Right now. Tonight we’ll rest. Tomorrow we’ll begin the journey to Tartarus.”

I don’t question whether or not Em is coming. As much as I’d like her to remain behind, and safe, nothing short of breaking her legs could keep her here.

“Why not rest longer?” she asks. “Regain your strength.”

“That’s exactly what I intend to do.”

“How?” she asks.

“We’re going to make a stop along the way,” I tell her. “To see a friend in Asgard. And in the meantime, I need you to tell me about the ones who helped Tobias escape with Luca. We are going to need all the help we can get.”

She nods, shakes with a chill, and heads for her father’s body.

I follow close behind, feeling bad for my lie of omission. While it’s true that I’m going to see a friend, it is not for strength. It is for a clear conscience. I need to see Aimee again, to apologize and…to say goodbye.





26



It takes us three hours to bury Tobias. Most of that time is spent carrying his body back to Clark Station One. Digging a grave proved impossible—the ice is thick and dense—so I used my abilities to carve out a six foot deep hole. We wrapped him in a blanket along with his bow and arrows. I used the wind to carry him down into the grave, where he now lies.

We stand there, side by side, Emilie and I, staring down at the body. I’ve been to four funerals in my life, for each of my grandparents. I remember the words spoken at each one—comforting words, often about being reunited in the afterlife. None of it seems appropriate now, so I stay silent. Em has never been to a topside funeral before, so the ritual will probably just confuse her. There is one part I always appreciated, though. The prayer. Speaking to God. Asking Him to accept the spirit of the deceased into Heaven. A better place. Certainly better than here. Tobias deserves as much.

I bow my head, close my eyes and whisper a prayer to God. “I don’t know much about you, but I know a lot about Tobias. He was a good man. He gave his life in defense of innocence. And he was an enemy of the Nephilim, who, if demons are real, and you are real, are your enemies, too. Give him a new home, please. A better home.”

Em’s fingers find mine and we grip each other’s hands.

“Protect Luca, wherever he is. Keep him safe and never let him doubt that we are coming for him. Protect Em, and me, as we attempt to get him back.”

With my thoughts on the task before us, I say, “If possible, turn Kainda to our side, and…” My next words feel wrong for a moment, but then I remember that there is plenty of smiting in the Bible. God will understand. “Destroy our enemies. Kill them all. Please. Amen.”

I open my eyes and find Em looking at me, her face wet with tears already wiped away.

“What were you doing?” She asks.

“Praying,” I say. “It’s something people do at funerals. When we bury the dead.”

“But who were you talking to?”

“God,” I say.

Her eyes scrunch tight. “You can talk to God?”

I shrug. I’m really not sure. “I thought it was worth a try.”

“The Nephilim don’t like God,” she says. “We weren’t allowed to talk about it.”

“Well,” I say, “You are now.” I reach my hands out over the ice grave. “Goodbye Tobias.”

“Goodbye, father,” Emilie adds.

I close my hands together and the grave fills with ice.

Em lets out a long sigh. “I’ll get my knives.”

I dip my head in agreement. Neither of us ever intended on resting. Our bodies are trained to recuperate while on the move. We’ll stop along the way, but the journey itself will rejuvenate us. We take nothing but the essentials and our weapons. We will hunt for food. I will try to expand my powers further in the way that Tobias wanted me to learn. And we will learn to work together.

Twenty minutes later, we take a last look back at Clark Station One, the place of my birth and Em’s home for the past few years. On the outside it’s nothing more than a small rise in the ice. But inside, there are countless good memories for both of us.

“Will we ever see it again?” She asks.