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

Not that I haven’t become accustomed to this new world, where I have supernatural powers and I’m recognized as the King of Antarktos. It’s not a title I aspired to, or ever wanted, but I was given a gift on the day of my birth, and some—okay, many—believe that I was chosen for this role. And I’ve grown into it, as Kainda, my wife and Queen, has grown into hers. I might have been chosen for this position, but she was made for hers. Strong, opinionated, unflappable. When she speaks, people listen. When she acts, they run for the hills.

Not that there has been any unrest on the continent since the events that set the human race free from the Nephilim. There has been tension, to be sure, between my fellow hunters, who believe the continent is rightfully theirs, and those of the outside world, who have slowly been immigrating to Antarktos. Early on, there was also tension between outside nations as they set up towns and vied for prime locations. I stopped that problem by forbidding outside nations to claim anything on my continent. I might be uncomfortable with my position as King, but I am physically connected to the land. What is done to the continent, is done to me, and I take it personally. And since I can literally control the entire continent, I don’t get much argument.

The only real danger on Antarktos remains the Nephilim. Although most of them died in the final battle, many of the lesser classes, who didn’t participate in the physical combat, have gone into hiding. Many are out in the wider world—shifters mostly, but humans are seeking them out and destroying them. Those that remain on Antarktos reside in the underground, banished once more to the depths of this continent, pursued by the hunters they once enslaved.

Here on the surface, things are—for the most part—safe. And as such, the children are allowed to wander and explore. Today, we’re exploring the Xin Woods, which grew up around my half-clone’s grave. The woods have grown so thick that the remnants of the United States Forward Operating Base that once dominated the area, have been swallowed up. All that remains in Xin’s gravestone. The trees would have taken it, too, but I forbade them. Some sacrifices should not be forgotten.

I kneel before the grave, remembering Xin and his final gift to me. If not for the squealing laughter of our two girls, I would be lost in the memory. As tears threaten to spill out, I feel a presence in the tree behind me.

“Never before in the history of this planet has there been a king who wept as much as you.” Kainda’s voice is powerful, commanding and a delight to my ears.

I laugh. Loudly. Kainda’s wicked sense of humor is a nice balance to my admittedly more emotional personality. I wipe the single fully formed tear away from my cheek and stand up, the haunting memories once again retreating to the recesses of my mind. “You love my softness.”

Kainda leaps down from a branch, thirty feet above me. A strong wind buffets her fall, placing her gently on the ground before me. She knew I would catch her. But instead of falling into my embrace, she takes hold of my bicep and gives it a squeeze. “I believe there is such a thing as too soft.”

I pull my arm away with a grin. “Hey!” But I don’t argue. While I’m still strong and agile, and thanks to my supernatural abilities, downright powerful, I haven’t had to face a rigorous physical challenge in nearly a decade. My beard and now hairy chest help hide the lessening definition, but Kainda sees it.

She places her hand on my bare chest, smiling wickedly. While we wear more, and finer, clothing in public, we dress as hunters when exploring the wilds of Antarktos. I’m wearing my leather loin cloth, a belt and Whipsnap around my waist. I haven’t had need for the weapon in a very long time, but it will always be ready to defend my family, and all of humanity, if need be.

I glance around nervously as she pushes me back against a tree. “Kainda, I’m not sure this is the best place for—”

She tilts her head and makes a pouty face, which is so unnatural on her I nearly start laughing. “Aww, am I making the big strong King nervous?”

“A little bit,” I say, “Yeah. The girls are—”

“The girls will learn that their mother is twice the hunter their father is.”

Oh no.

I’ve totally misread what’s happening here.

This is going to hurt.

Her pout becomes a mischievous smile. By the time I snap out of my confusion, she’s already unclipped the Viking hammer from her belt and cocked it back. I manage to duck the blow, but just barely. I know a second swing is coming, so I go the only direction I can.

Up.

A gust of wind carries me twenty feet up. I cling to the tree’s rough bark, looking down at my smiling wife.

“Really?” Kainda says. “You’re going to use the elements?”

“I wasn’t planning on training today,” I say, staring down at her.

This statement seems to make her genuinely angry. “To think you were once a hunter! Danger does not announce itself, Solomon!” With a grunt, she throws the hammer at me.

Once a hunter!

I leap from the tree. Wood and bark explode behind me. I land in time to see her catch her hammer.