Page 14 of Hunt Me

“The mark.”

“I took care of it,” I say, heart thudding. “Why?”

“Heard there was a commotion afterward.” His expression gives nothing away. And while Uziah and I have always been friendly, I don’t like how this feels. Like a summons to an interrogation. Like I’m accountable to him rather than the client.

“These things always result in commotion.” Bullshit.

“Hmm,” he grunts then takes a drink.

The guard returns, setting a glass in front of me. I don’t pick it up.

“Do you need me for another task?” I ask.

“Tell me about the second mark.”

My heart drums loudly at that. “There was no second mark.”

“You made a second contact,” he says.

I hesitate, but he clearly already knows everything.

“Not exactly.”

He looks me over, noting the scarf and gloves. “Something you want to tell me?” When I don’t answer, he leans in. “I’ve known you and your family many years, Tori. I hope you know you can tell me anything.”

I sigh. “I don’t know what happened. A female ran into me. She touched me, and then she fell ill. I… Her exhibited symptoms suggested a lethal poisoning.”

“Was she a mark?”

“No,” I say quickly. “I didn’t know her. I…”

Guilt and fear and worry are a nauseating cocktail in my stomach. I grip the drink, rethinking it. Halfway to my mouth, the smell hits me, and I stop, eyes widening as I look from the liquid to the vampire seated across from me.

“What is this?” I hiss.

“Relax. I had to test you.”

“Test me?” My voice rises. “To see if I was stupid enough to drink poison?”

His eyes glitter with something I don’t understand. Not malice. Something else. “To see if you’re immune.”

“Immune to…” I sniff the drink again. “Ricin?” I recoil, knowing how deadly the toxic plant is. “What would give you that idea?”

He doesn’t answer other than to continue eyeing me with that weird gleam, which leaves me more uneasy than before. Like he knows something I don’t.

“We’re done here.” I set the glass down and move to the edge of the booth.

“Wait.” Uziah’s voice is sharp. I glare back at him.

“If you thought I wouldn’t scent it, you’re mistaken. Poisons are my specialty, remember?”

He shakes his head. “Someone came here. Looking for you. They claimed you acted on a second mark last night.”

I slowly turn to face him, thinking through all the possibilities, but there aren’t many. “Em.”

His brow furrows. “I didn’t say that.”

“The only other person who knew there was a first mark was Em, so she’s the only one who would call the female a second mark.”

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