***Persephone's POV***

Ok, so I know I'm supposed to be the leader of these clowns but I couldn't bring myself to do this. Not today. Not when I just got my family back.

But it had to be done, we were meant to govern the other species and there's no better time than now.

I wake up bright and early, stress causing me to chew the hell out of my nails.

"Go back to sleep," Hunter groans, grabbing my waist and dragging me to his side.

His body heat was nice, far warmer than I was used to. But I needed to do this and the more I pushed it away, the more it took over my mind.

"We have to call a meeting," I tell him, pushing away and going to get dressed.

I hear him groan and then open the other closet filled with his clothes, grumbling about how much he hated mornings.

I laugh a little, throwing on some sweats and a t-shirt. Yes, I know I'm Queen but if my people don't see me at my worst how are they supposed to expect me to make decisions to help them at their worst.

Plus, it was more comfortable.

I head downstairs, smiling when I hear everyone in the dining room.

"Why did you wake me so early," Brandi grumbles, presumably to one of the seers.

"The Queen is to have a meeting," Camilla says, her voice much stronger and adult-like than it should be.

"The Queen isn't even here," Hayden grumbles, making me laugh.

"Morning, y'all, hope you got some good rest," I say as I walk inside the room, heading to the head of the table. Camilla sits to my right and there's an empty seat to my left, open for my King.

As soon as he's done sitting down I turn towards Camilla, hoping for some advice.

Any advice? I ask her, unsure how to get this started.

She whispers in my ear, "Do it with your magic, not the magic connected to your soul but the magic straight from the Source. That's the only way it will be unbiased and tell us what gifts are meant to go on a particular trip."

Are you sure there's no other way?

"I'm sure, every other one has major consequences we do not want to deal with. It'll be ok, my Queen. Your family is not weak, they don't have to be held back."

I suppose you are right, I say to her before turning towards the table of expectant people.

"Here you go, my Queen," Camilla says, handing me a deck of what looks like tarot cards, except both sides are completely white.

"Are those tarot cards?" Brandi asks, trying to get a closer look.

"Kind of, they're more cards for her magic to tell us who will go on what mission. She thinks of the mission and the cards flip over and the faces of the people going will be on each card," Camilla says.

"Oh ok," Brandi says, sitting down once more.

"For our first mission," I say, gulping, "I have heard reports of the trolls having law enforcement issues. This can be detrimental to the magical society and since the council won't do anything, we need to sneak into the society and try and fix the issue, which seems to stem with the head of the law department. Otherwise, we'll have more cases of trolls going crazy and kidnapping little girls."

Everyone looks at the cards, ready for the first card to flip. I push my magic into it, the part that feels least connected to me. The unbiased part.

I hold my breath, waiting for the cards to flip, anxiety eating me up inside.

The first card flips over, a picture of Brandi on it with the title "The Witch" in bold words above the picture.

I look over at my best friend... scratch that, my sister with tears in my eyes, scared to let her go so soon after getting her back.

She just smiles softly at me, reaching out her hand across the table to grip onto mine.

The next card flips over, a picture of Hayden on it with the title "The Shifter" on it. I turn towards the person who knew me better than I knew myself, tears flowing freely by now.

I know I'm supposed to be strong but honestly... fuck that. I lost them for 2 fucking years and I've only had them for ONE FUCKING DAY before losing them once more.

Another card flips over, showing a picture of Bia with the title "The Seer" on it. I look over at her, my worry for her vanishing when I see her with 2 knives in her hand, a manic smile on her face.

I wasn't sure if it was the knives strapped all over her body or the fact that even though she was only 4'11 and still scared the fuck out of Hayden but something told me she could handle herself.

I sure as hell wouldn't want to go up against her, she looked like she could kill me with one strike, all with a smile on her face.

Another card flips, bringing my attention back to the present. There's a picture of Nyx, with the title "The Goddess" on it.

She must notice the looks of confusion because she says, "It's another word for Supreme Being. Technically, I am a demi-goddess."

I nod my head, totally seeing that. She looks over at Bia, her smile wicked. God help whoever stands in the way of those two girls... they were funny and nice but I'd seem them in war in the fake-world. They were fucking beasts, and something told me it wouldn't be any different here.

Nyx flashes a look towards Malachi, who's looking at her with worry.

So, and I definitely had good reasoning for this, I left the fact that they were soulmates out of my memories when I showed the others. I just made them good friends, not wanting to force anything on them.

I wanted them to have time to find their own footing and admit to the group they were soulmates, when they were both comfortable in their relationship.

My attention is pulled away from their cuteness when I see the card flip over right now, causing my heart to stop.

Because on the card is a picture of my soulmate, with "The King" in bold letters at the top.

I look over at him, panic causing my throat to close up. No no no no I can't lose him. I can't do this.

He must feel my panic, hopping out of his seat and running his hands through my hair as he promises me to come back to me, a promise we both know he can't make.

"We just got to start focusing on us," I say, looking up into his forest-green eyes and feeling myself calm a bit, "I won't be able to function if something happens to you. How am I supposed to be a Queen without my King?"

"You will be a Queen, even without me, because you are the strongest woman I know," he says, pulling my chin back up when I try and look down, "I will come home to you, no matter what. But in the mean time you must promise me to keep functioning, to keep leading our people until I come home. Because I know you can do it and I am not going to hold you back. So promise me, sunshine, to keep your head held high."

"I promise," I say, tears in my eyes but I refuse to let them drop. He's right, I needed to stand on my own and be strong, even without him by my side. For our people. I've done it in the fake-world and I sure as hell can do it while he's on the mission.

I look past him, noticing how everyone is trying to avert their eyes and give us time. A lot of the couples that have one person going are in embraces, murmuring to each other.

It was hard saying goodbye to your other half, sending them into a situation that they could never come out of. But it was our reality, and they all knew that.

I look over at the cards, shock causing me to stand up abruptly, pulling out of the little bubble I had with Hunter.

"What in the fuck?" Granny yells, somehow flipping onto the table to try and get a look at the picture on the card, the one we somehow all missed, "WHO IS THAT?"

"I- I don't know," I say, staring down at the warrior-type boy, his blue eyes seeming to stare straight at me, the words "The Knight" in bold above his picture.

"Has anyone ever seen this blue-eyed boy?" Granny asks, holding it up so everyone can see him, "Once you find him, tell him we need his help to visit the trolls."

"Granny, get your ass down," my adopted mom yells at her, chuckling.

I expect Granny to throw a shoe at her or say something vastly inappropriate but she just gets down, smiling at Mom.

Everyone crowds around the card she leaves in the middle of the table, everyone except me and Hunter.

I'm not sure who this guy is but we obviously need him for this mission, and I have no clue how to find him.

I look over at Hunter, who's looking down at me in worry. I don't want to worry him but I also am not sure how we're going to do this when one of the guys we need, we don't have.

"His eyes look just like Persey's," Hayden muses, looking over at me, "Well before they got all magicky."

I try and remember his eyes and notice he's right, he does have my eyes. Or my mother's eyes... to be more exact.

A memories pulling at me but I push it away, trying to listen in on the theories of everyone else.

Alex is looking at me, almost... expectant. As though something will happen at any moment.

I look over at Brandi who's moved away from the card, hugging Zach tightly.

I haven't had time to catch up with her, ask her how her relationship with Zach is going. They started off rocky but they never separated nowadays, thick as thieves.

I was happy for her, happy to see her smile at something other than junk food.

Sure, she always had the best snacks but sometimes... sometimes I think if it was between me and an Oreo... she would choose the Oreo.

Hayden is full on making-out with Jordan, no longer interested in the card.

I flick my fingers at them, creating a magical bubble around them so we no longer had to hear or see them. Some things were NOT meant to be seen.

Granny is speaking with mom and her husband, Darius, all having smiles on their face.

Nyx and Malachi are staring intently at the card, occasionally bumping shoulders and blushing.

Jess is in the corner, doing ... well I don't know what. Muttering to herself?

As I look around the room at my family, and the new edition seers (some of which I still had to get the names of and meet formally, in the real-world this time not the fake one) I feel my heart fill-up, a glee filling me like never before.

I have no clue how to lead my people but I sure as hell will try my best, try and be worthy of the title Queen.

I look over at Hunter, ready to tell him to stop worrying. To go on that mission and know I'll be ok, that I'll lead even if he isn't able to be there all the time.

But instead I feel my head start pounding, my vision going spotty.

I'm pulled into a vision, a vision that makes it all clear.

***Hunter's POV***

My soulmate looks up at me with her rainbow-blue eyes, opening her mouth to talk to me before closing it.

At first I think it's nerves holding her back but then her eyes glaze over, telling me it's not nerves.

I go to shake her but she shakes it off, looking up at me with so much love it makes my breath catch.

She kisses me on the forehead, whispering, "I'll be back. No one leave for the mission quite yet. Lead them while I'm gone, be strong even while I'm not here."

Before I can say anything, before I can ask her what's going on and why she's talking like this she opens a portal a few feet away, pulling away from me and running towards it.

I try to catch her but she's too damn fast, turning around at the last second to give me a small smile before jumping into the portal, which immediately closes behind her.

I turn around, everyone's eyes on me.

"Where did she go?" Brandi asks, freaking out when she sees my face.

"I- I don't know," I say, pushing my hand through my hair.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW?" she asks, coming over to where the portal was, looking for any indication of where she went.

"I mean she told me to keep everyone here and lead before jumping into a portal to god knows where," I say, pacing.

I look up to see everyone looking at me, Alex and Camilla looking at me knowingly.

"Where is she?" I asked Camilla, rushing to her and getting on my knees in front of the little girl.

"It is not my place to say," she says, her eyes sad, "There are some things that even I cannot say."

I can tell she's being sincere, she really can't tell me. She cups my cheek, calming me immediately.

"You're quite the old soul," I say, looking at the young girl that had far too much wisdom in her eyes to be 10.

"Yes, I know," she says with a chuckle, "Now go make your soulmate proud and lead. She may be Queen but you're her King, and you were picked for a reason. Prove it."

I stand to my feet, feeling strengthened. Persey is doing what needs to be done and I'm going to do what needs to be done. I just had to trust that she could handler herself and that she'd be ok.

I head to the front of the room, standing behind Persey's seat. I may be leading temporarily but there is no way in hell I'm sitting in her seat. She belonged in it and it would remain empty until she got back.

Alfred and Alfredo come over to lay by my feet, whining and pawing at me.

I know, I miss her too.

I look up at everyone, some panicking while other's stare at me, patiently waiting for me.

"I know her leaving was sudden but we must trust her. She will do what is best for us, even if she is not allowed to tell us what that is. The seers understand, the burden of knowledge that you cannot share. Sometimes it is best that we be left in the dark, and if Persey is leaving us in the dark she has a good reason. So, for the time being I want us to set up training classes. Brandi will train your magic and I will train you physically. Seers, I want to meet with you separately and get to know each and every one of you. I apologize, the chaos has kept us from being as hospitable as I'd like to think we are but we really do want to welcome you into the family. Now, if anyone has any questions you can come directly to me, if not training with Brandi starts in 30 minutes out in the back yard."

Everyone files out, leaving me with Camilla.

"You did a great job, my King," she says, squeezing my hand as she passes by.

As soon as she leaves the room I collapse in my chair, the one to the left of Persey's.

I know I need to keep my brave face on but goddamn, what if I mess up?

What if Persey realizes I'm not fit to lead?

Will she reject me as her mate and go looking for a better King?

I shake off the negative thoughts, reminding myself that Persey loved me. I wasn't a perfect leader, far from it, but I would try. For our people and for Persey.

The door opens and in enters a seer who looks like he's about in his mid-30's, with kind blue eyes and dirty blonde hair.

"Is it ok if my wife comes in with me?" he asks, glancing at Persey's chair once before looking at me once more.

"Of course," I say, smiling at the kind old man.

~

The meetings go on and on but eventually I'm in my last one with the seers, ready to meet our last member and get to know them. Everyone seems very kind and happy to be part of this and we have quite a bit ready to go on missions and do their jobs, while others want to stay here with their family.

The last seer enters the room, a girl who looks about our age. She glances at Persey's chair, as every seer has done, before looking at me with a smile.

Right before she opens her mouth to talk, Camilla comes rushing in, immediately rushing to my side.

"I lost her," she says, her tone worried, "I can't see her."

"What happened? Can't see who?" I ask, my gut telling me something bad just happened.

"I have always been able to see the Queen in my visions, always. But I can't see her anymore so either she went into a place with magic that wards off visions, which is extremely rare, or..."

"Or what?" I ask, dreading her response.

"Or she used her magic to block me out," she rushes out, her eyes flitting around as if trying to find the answer in this room.

"What should we do?"

"I'm not sure we can do much," she states, hanging her head.

"So we have to just let her go blind? What if she walks into danger?"

"We have to trust she can handle herself," she says, patting my arm before bowing her head and leaving the room.

I want to trust she can handle herself but I'm not sure she'll be able to handle it if she faces off against her father.

"I can come back later," the girl says, startling me.

Fuck, I forgot she was in here.

"No no, go ahead, I want to get to meet you," I say, trying to look welcoming.

"Ok," she says with a smile before coming to sit in front of me.

I try and listen but my mind wanders every once in a while.

Sunshine, come home to me.

***Persephone's POV***

I arrive in the dark dungeon, coughing at the retched smell.

"I've been waiting for you," they say, making me jump.

They start laughing, making me scowl.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Princess?" they ask, their voice scratchy.

"It's Queen, actually, and I need to do this," I say, moving closer to the cell they're in, "You don't deserve to be in here."

"Don't talk about me as if you know me," they snap out, "Tell me you blocked the seers."

"I did," I say, rolling my eyes, "Don't worry they can't see this little meeting."

"Good, Princess," they say, causing me to roll my eyes.

"You will call me Queen if you must use titles," I say, trying to put some authority in my tone, "If you prefer no titles you may call me Persey."

"Fine... Persey. I won't call you Princess... for now. But you must admit, you like it."

"If by like you mean utterly hate then yes, I like it."

That causes them to laugh, their eyes latching onto mine.

"So, what's it going to take for you to get me out of here?"

"A promise of good behavior," I say sarcastically but they just laugh some more.

"Ok, I promise you, my Queen, that I will be on my best behavior," they say, their voice haughty.

"No killing," I say, causing them to roll their eyes.

"Fine, I won't kill unless absolutely necessary," they say.

"Good enough for me, now let's go before they know I'm here."

With that I wave my hands, freeing them from their cage. I open a portal to an area a bit away from the mansion, praying no one feels us arrive.

I need a bit more time before going back to the mansion but I can't stay anywhere outside of the Garden with the risk of being caught.

They hop in after winking at me and I wait until I hear the pounding feet of soldiers coming this way before I hop in the portal.

Yeah mothafucka, try and figure out how your highest security prisoner got out.

***Hunter's POV***

It's been four days. FOUR DAYS.

Sure, four days is nothing. Four days is only 96 hours. Four days is only 5,760 minutes. Four days is only 345,600 seconds.

But each and every one of those seconds have been agonizing for me without Persey here.

None of the seers can see her anymore, she isn't in any of their visions and Camilla is getting more antsy by the day.

The way the others seer freak out at her freaking out tells me it isn't normal, so something bad is going to happen.

My panther wants to shift so much but I don't want to be on a run when she arrives, I was needed here.

We'd done almost constant training for the last couple days and it was showing, everyone was slow and uncoordinated this morning.

"AGAIN!" I yell at the groups training with swords today, making them groan.

"Hunter, can't we take a break?" Hayden asks, looking on the verge of tears.

I want to keep them going, keep them ready in case Persey needs us but I know it's not a good idea. I don't want to burn everyone out.

"Ok, consider today your rest day," I say, making everyone cheer, "We will start up again tomorrow."

There are a few groans at that piece of information but they all just nod their heads and head inside, leaving me to my thoughts.

My panther whines, wanting me to let it out but I ignore it, instead thinking over when she left.

I go over those few seconds constantly, trying to see if there are any hints or even if I could have done anything.

I could have grabbed her and told her not to leave but knowing Persey she'd leave anyways and I wasn't powerful enough to stop her. In panther form I might be able to subdue her a bit and with the whole group we might be able to stop her but it wouldn't last forever.

I shouldn't be thinking about how to stop her, I should trust her but this is agony. She could be somewhere locked up or dying and we'd have no clue.

A couple days ago any connection to her was locked up, so I can't feel her at all. I'm not sure what happened but it freaks me out that I can't feel anything from her.

"HUNTER YOU NEED TO SEE THIS," Brandi yells out to me before sprinting back inside, me right on her feet.

My panther finally pipes down, preparing itself to fight.

As soon as I enter the room I feel her, our connection roaring back to life. I almost fall to my knees and weep in relief but then I see the fear on everyone's faces.

I look up and see her with someone, their face partially hidden.

As soon as he steps into the light I scramble back, my panther wanting to get as far away from him as possible.

I open my mouth to warn Persey but she just stands next to him, no fear or worry evident.

Did she... bring him here? There's no way, he was locked up. She wouldn't break him out of prison.

"I told you they wouldn't like this, princess," he says, turning to look at Persey.

"It's Queen," she grunts out, never taking her eyes off me, "Hi, Hunter."

"Persey, get away from him," I say, trying to keep my tone quiet and slow like I'm talking to a wounded animal, "He's dangerous."

"So am I," she says shrugging, "Besides, he's the warlock on my court so we need him."

"What about me?" Malachi asks, grabbing her attention.

"One moment, twin," she says before turning back to the majority of the group, "I'm assuming you all know of him."

"Yes," we all say in unison.

"This is giving cult vibes," he says, running his hand through his hair.

"Shut up," Persey says, rolling her eyes, "Introduce yourself, please."

"Fine. Hi, everyone. My name is Ace."

"Yes, and apparently he has no last name," Persey says, rolling her eyes once again.

"Careful, Princess," Ace says, "your eyes might get stuck up there."

"Hardy har har," she says, turning towards us once again, "Now, why are y'all so scared?"

"WELL I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE BECAUSE HE'S A MURDERER," Brandi yells, looking like a maniac with her wide eyes.

"Or maybe it's because he got the rarest wizard gift ever. So rare that he's the only one in history to have it," Jordan says, backing up even more.

"Interesting," she muses, looking over at Ace, "What was that gift again?"

"Death," he says, looking her dead in the eyes, "We've already been over this. Don't act stupid, princess."

"Oh no, I know I just want to clarify before moving on. So how exactly does this 'death' gift work?"

"Well my main way is I can kill with a touch, hence the gloves. Another way is I can torture with a thought but that takes more energy and isn't as fun."

"Wait like that chick from twilight?" Hayden asks, cutting in.

"Well yeah except hotter," Ace says, blowing a kiss towards Hayden who looks rattled.

"And you're sure that's all?" Persey asks him, a smirk on her face.

"I have other surprises up my sleeve but I guess you'll have to keep me around to figure them out," he says, raising his hand to caress her cheek.

My panther completely takes over, "Hell no, buddy. Get your hand off my mate." I growl before charging him, surprising him.

I push him so hard he flies across the room before turning towards Persey, "What is going on? Why is Malachi being replaced? What does Ace have to do with the boy on the card? Why did you disappear for so long? Where have you been?"

"So many questions," she says, chuckling, "Don't worry, I'll answer them all but first I have to deal with Malachi. Ok?"

I nod my head, backing up a bit so that Malachi can take my spot.

They stand there just staring at each other before she throws her magic out at him, attacking him as he groans out in pain.

I can hear Nyx screaming in the background, trying to get to him while the others hold her back.

Don't let anyone near us, Persey blasts out towards all of us, making Zach wince a bit.

Part of me wants to stop her but I trust her, I need to.

We all go to stop Nyx who attacks us, her magic going haywire in an effort to get to Malachi.

I hear Malachi cry out and turn around to see him being filled up with her magic.

"NO," Nyx screams, breaking away while we're distracted and attacking Persey, "STOP!"

Persey's magic keeps Nyx away as she continues to fill Malachi up with her magic. There's no way anyone can survive that much magic.

I go to step forward but her magic suddenly blows up, blasting us all against the walls, although the blow is softened by her magic.

God, I hope I made the right choice in trusting her.

***A/N***

Hey y'all! Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

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