Page 159 of Hunt Me

“I killed my own—” He stops, and I grab his face in my hands, forcing him to meet my eyes. “You may have taken life, but you are not a killer. There’s a difference.”

His mouth quirks up at that, and I know he’s going to be okay.

“Whoever told you that sounds very wise,” he says.

I grin. “They seem to think so.”

His smile is radiant—and free. “I told you I’d follow your orders.” He kisses me and whispers, “Master.”

“Ew, you just made it weird.”

He laughs, hugging me tight. “I kind of like it. Unless you want to call me that instead.”

I don’t answer, too busy soaking up the feeling of no longer being threatened with death in order to be with the male I love. I cling tighter to him, closing my eyes and breathing deeply. His hand strokes my hair, his fingers brushing my cheek.

“It’s over,” he murmurs.

“It’s over,” I agree but then pull away to examine him. “Are you okay though? The poison?—”

“Is gone.” He looks at Kendall then the blades she holds. “You understand them.”

“I do,” she says quietly.

“They corrupted her.”

Kendall doesn’t look particularly thrilled with her own words as she says, “They were meant for me. I’ve seen it.” Her gaze darts to me.

“Kendall,” I say, utterly at a loss.

“I saw this too,” she reminds me. “Back before this all started. I saw you and him, remember?”

“You said I had to choose,” I tell her. “And my choice would determine whether I lived or died.”

She nods. “You don’t die alone anymore in case you’re wondering. You live. Together. For a very long time.”

Her gaze is sober, though. No hint of relief or victory.

My stomach tightens as I try to understand what it means. Her coming here. Understanding those blades.

She shoots a look at Klyn, who is still in wolf form. He’s managed to get to his feet, but he’s limping and bleeding from where Maricha’s wing cut him.

“You okay?” she asks him.

He huffs and comes forward, nudging Legion with his nose.

“I’m okay,” Legion assures his friend.

Klyn snarls and nods pointedly at the exit.

“Yeah, I second that idea,” Legion tells him.

But I can’t move. Not with so many questions swirling inside me. Kendall watches me as if she’s read my thoughts. I look at her, pride radiating from me at the skill of her gifts. And more than a little guilt for the way I doubted her.

“You can really handle those blades?” I ask her.

She swallows hard but says firmly, “They obey me now. You’re not in any danger.”

“I don’t get it. You sound like you knew about them before you saw them.”

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