Page 22 of Hunt Me

I scowl at her. “You’re telling me you disagree with my choice.”

“Hell no. I would have done the same thing. Besides, if you’d put him in a cell for holding, the soldiers would have done way worse.”

She’s not wrong. They’re all itching for a fight after what happened with the guardian. Our greatest enemy turned out to be Caius’ mate. Good for him. Not great for battle-thirsty soldiers whose war has been snatched away in the name of love.

“Then what is it?” I ask.

“I couldn’t help but notice how he mentioned family and betrayal, and, well, it almost seemed personal at the end.”

“Fuck off, Styx.”

She braces her elbows on the counter, leaning in and pinning me with a look I don’t like. “Legion. You’re not yourself.”

“Is this the part where you say something about how I need the love of a good woman to heal me or something?”

“Actually, I was going to say you should get laid.”

I snort, and she straightens, heading for the door. “Caius wants a briefing in twenty. I’ll see you in there.”

“Yeah, fine,” I mutter.

When she’s gone, I splay my hands out on the counter, letting my head hang forward, trying—and failing—to clear my mind. The prisoner’s last words continue to replay in my mind, conjuring memories that are better left buried. Even after all this time, thinking about it—about her—still feels like a poison inside me.

It's so much worse than any physical pain I’ve endured. I’d do anything to take it away, but there’s nothing strong enough to cut this particular wound out of me.

Family.

The ultimate torture.

The only thing I can do is make sure I never form an attachment like that again. Not with anyone. Especially not a mate.

Chapter 5

Tori

Icheck my phone for what might be the millionth time today and note the lack of notifications. After my visit to his club early this morning, Uziah promised to ask around for some way to stop the Crimson Roses from coming for me, but so far, I’ve yet to hear back. My worry spikes with each moment that passes without answers.

I need a plan.

Somewhere to take Kendall until all this blows over. If it ever does. But my only real friend in this city is Niamh, and her job at the club makes her too risky of an ally right now. She’s already texted me about getting drinks tonight, but I haven’t answered her. I don’t even know where to start.

All my focus is on making Kendall safe.

Guilt tugs at me a bit for never teaching her the same fighting techniques my father insisted on teaching me. I’d wanted to protect her from the harsher aspects of life, but now I worry I’ve only made her defenseless.

Juniper still hasn’t returned from her sojourn with the tree people. She’s always spent more time out there than she does in the city. I think it makes her feel closer to my mother. Usually, I’m a bit jealous of the way she’s able to commune with nature, but right now, I’m just glad she’s somewhere safe.

Maybe I could talk to Natalia about hiding Kendall for me.

Pulling out my phone, I fire off a text to her.

Hey, can I ask a favor? It’s about Kendall.

Her response is prompt as always, leaving me to wonder if the witch saw this coming and has been waiting on me. Sure, anything.

Can Kendall stay with you for a few days? I need to sort out a work thing.

I watch as the dots ripple, signaling her typing a response. Finally, she answers. What does Kendall say about that?

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