Chapter 4

Kyra-

“What name did you pick out?” Hunter asked.

“Theron or Theo for short.” My palms felt damp as I told him nervously.

For what felt like an eternity, Hunter didn’t say anything. His eyes fell to his hands, which were folded on his lap. I wouldn't say I liked this situation regarding Hunter. I remembered everything, while he didn’t remember anything about me.

We loved each other, but our relationship was now complicated. It was as if we were both treading on thin ice around each other. It didn’t help that we didn’t have any contact for six months. If I could connect with Ace again, maybe I could figure out what was happening inside Hunter’s head.

Since Hunter returned, Ace was no longer connected to me. I was beginning to feel lost without Ace. At least with him, I felt as if Hunter was still with me. As I looked at Hunter, I felt as if he was slowly slipping through my fingers, and I was going to lose him forever.

I don’t know what happened to him during the six months he was away, but he has changed a lot. Not just from the Hunter I knew but from the Hunter who returned. Maybe I was overthinking it. Hunter didn’t stay long after his return, so I can’t say he has changed too much. I just knew that Hunter expressed his feelings six months ago and was eager to be by my side. Now, I could sense he was keeping his distance.

“It is a good name. Keep it.” Hunter hummed.

“Are you sure?”

“I am. It is a good and strong name.” Hunter nodded.

I considered telling him the meaning of the name, but I didn’t know if it would make him uncomfortable. I was beginning to think that the feelings between us were one-sided. Deciding to put the topic involving the name to the side, I changed the subject.

“You said you still can’t remember anything, so are you planning to leave again?” I asked as I adjusted the bed so I could recline.

“No.” His response was brisk.  

“In that case, we can help you try to remember something. Maybe being around familiar people will help. Even if everyone you knew isn’t here, there are plenty of people who can help you. Caleb and Nick grew up with you, so they can help with what happened before we met. I can tell you everything…” I eagerly spoke until Hunter abruptly cut me off.

“I don’t even know if I want my memories back.” His tone was sharp, but I couldn’t tell if he was mad.

Before I could ask him anything else, the energy in the room shifted, and my brother Zac appeared. “If you had mentioned you were going into labor, I would have brought you a gift.” Zac's eyes focused on me as he stood beside Hunter.

“If you didn’t know, then what brings you here?” I looked at the black box he held, thinking he was messing with me.

“Sorry, this isn’t for you.” Zac placed the box in front of Hunter. “This is for Hunter.”

“For me?” Hunter arched his brows as he accepted the box.

“This is a power dampener I have been working on. I don’t know if I managed to bind it to your power, but it should work.” Zac tapped the top of the box. “Try it on.”

“But I have control over my power now.” Hunter said, but he still opened the box.

“Yeah, but if you are going to be around my sister, I would prefer if you wear it.” Zac crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes at Hunter.

Hunter pulled a pair of cuff links out of the box. They weren’t connected and looked like a thick black bracelet with a red light. Hunter focused his eyes on me and then on Caleb before looking up at Zac.

“Shouldn’t you be worried about Caleb? He was the one I was targeted to kill.”

“As long as Kyra is alive, even your power can’t kill Caleb.” Zac shrugged.

“What do you mean by that? Why wouldn’t I be able to kill Caleb if Kyra is alive?” Hunter once again looked at me, then Caleb, but his eyes didn’t return to Zac.

Although Hunter didn’t look at Zac, I did. I didn’t say anything, but I glared at Zac. Since Hunter didn’t remember the past, he didn’t know Caleb and I shared a Life Bond. As long as I was alive, Caleb couldn’t die. At least, I didn’t think he could, but there were a lot of unknown variables regarding Hunter’s new power.

Even if I trusted Hunter, I still needed to be cautious. The life bond between Caleb and me might be Caleb’s salvation if Hunter were forced to follow what Artemis wanted him to do. Since Hunter didn’t have his memories, we couldn’t ensure that Caleb and my mother were safe.

“Of course, because I would protect him.” My gaze returned to Hunter. “My brother is just being on the safe side because he is worried that I would put myself in harm's way to keep everyone safe.”

“Okay, I see your point.” Hunter nodded, dropping the topic as he put on the cuffs.

“How is it?” Zac asked.

“I don’t feel any different.” Hunter shrugged as he looked at the cuffs that now had a blue light instead of a red.

“Try accessing your power.” Zac suggested.

“I guess they work.” Hunter’s brows lifted a moment later. “I can’t tap into my power.”

“Good.” Zac sighed, and his arms dropped to his sides. “In that case, I need to get going. Zeke has me running an errand.”

Before I could ask about my father, Zac disappeared again. “I guess he isn’t interested in meeting his nephews.” I rolled my eyes.

“Maybe he will return.” Rex said, which reminded me he was still in the room.

“I doubt it.” I groaned but then changed the subject and focused on Hunter. “By the way, do you know where my father is? Why didn’t he return with you?”

“I don’t know why he didn’t return, but I do know he went with Zeus. I don’t know where they went for sure, but I heard Zeus mention purgatory before they disappeared.”

“How long ago was that?” I asked.

“About two weeks ago.”

“So you guys went your separate way two weeks ago? Why didn’t you return then?”

“After Zeke helped me learn to control my power, I wasn’t ready to return.”

“By the way, how did you manage to learn how to control yourself? When you were here, you didn’t seem to have any control over yourself when you came after me.” Caleb said before I could ask why Hunter hadn’t been ready to return.

“We learned that when Talon gave me the power to kill a God, he did something to allow me to be susceptible to influence. It was likely the safeguard Artemis put in place to keep me from using my ability against her or Talon. Once we found a way to break it, my desire to kill Selene and Caleb disappeared, and I had control over myself.”

“How can you be sure you are able to control it?” Rex asked.

“Because Zeke had Selene help me test it. Since I had no desire to kill her, we figured it was safe. As for the safeguard against Artemis and Talon, I found out when I ran into Talon on my way back here.”

“What happened?” I asked.

“Talon attacked and attempted to take away the powers, but I was able to fight against him. The last time I faced him, I was powerless against him. Now he has a mark on him that I doubt will disappear.”

“Maybe we can deal with Artemis by using the power she gave him against her.” Rex chuckled.

“I won’t kill her either. Even if she did wrong, she is still a God. Even if I was made to be a God Killer, I don’t want to be labeled as one. I also know that if I did kill her, the other Gods might not take to it and start a war.” Hunter leaned back on his chair and shoved his hands into the pockets of his black leather jacket.

“You mentioned that my father might be going to or in Purgatory?” I didn’t want to discuss killing anyone right now.