Page 109 of Hunt Me

It’s another way Tartarus has broken through all my stereotypes. The idea that the people here care this much about one another—it touches parts of me that really needed to know the world still had this kind of goodness in it. It also makes me realize I’m not the only one who will be affected if something happens to Legion.

When we get to my door, I turn to him, a sudden worry chasing off my tiredness.

“You’re not going tonight.”

“Going?”

“To the Earth realm,” I say. “To the Crimson Roses. Promise me you’re not going tonight.”

“Why would you think?—?”

“You and Klyn are not subtle, you know. Locking yourselves up in that room all night to plot and plan.”

His mouth quirks. “Is that so? And what exactly do you think we plotted?”

Another day, his attempts to draw me into a back-and-forth like this would work. Tonight, I’m too far gone with concern. “I’m tired, Legion. Promise me you won’t go tonight.”

His smile vanishes. Worry lines his dark gaze. “I promise.”

“Thank you.” I push my door open and step inside before I can ask for more than that. “Good night.”

Despite my exhaustion, sleep is not easy. Not even the relief of removing the layers of fabric covering my lethal skin is enough to relax me. After a lifetime of having only Kendall to protect, I’ve now apparently added Legion, Chaya, Klyn, and Bron to the list of lives I refuse to endanger. It’s a weighty responsibility with no easy solutions.

I could try to make another deal maybe. Some kind of negotiation with Uziah. Though I have nothing he wants except for the things I refuse to give. Em isn’t a better option. I don’t even know her much less understand what sort of motivation would change her mind from taking her revenge.

Kendall’s warning only makes it worse. More and more, her visions revolve around death, making it hard to see what sort of plan or choice allows us to avoid that fate. All I have is Legion’s promise to cling to. He won’t go without me. At least, not tonight.

Eventually, I sleep fitfully, my dreams full of poisoned deaths with no one left to protect by the time I’ve finished killing.

The following morning, I’m up and dressed and about to seek out breakfast when someone knocks at my door. Pulling it open, I’m surprised to see Legion.

“Hi.”

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

“Nothing. I just didn’t expect you to knock.”

He smirks, his gaze flitting lower as we both remember the eye-full he got last time he barged in on me first thing in the morning. “I like to keep you guessing.”

My thoughts drift to the moment we shared in the library. A moment he hasn’t tried to repeat since. Granted, it was risky as hell to do in the first place, but I can’t help wanting more.

Legion clears his throat, and I realize belatedly what he must be sensing through the mate bond.

“Are you free right now?” he asks.

“Depends on why you’re asking.”

“Don’t look so worried.” He grins. “I have a surprise for you.”

“Now, I’m definitely worried.”

“Come on. I think you’ll enjoy it.”

I follow him out and through the halls until we arrive at the back doors. He holds the door for me to follow him out then pauses at the bottom of the steps.

“Close your eyes.”

“Absolutely not.”