Page 76 of Winterfall Destiny

"The hybrids always have an ulterior motive," mutters Ash, as he walks beside me, arm around my shoulder.

"To be fair, he does need Confederacy information too," I reply. "You don't think Ethan took us there just to help, did you?"

Ash huffs as we manoeuvre around round metal tables and chairs set out on the pavement, where people relax and chat beneath the restaurant's bright blue canopy as they eat. I've a twinge of envy as I watch the relaxed, happy couples in their normal lives. I'd planned to live in London one day, or at least become part of the student society that exists around here, but that'll never happen.

"We can stop for a drink, if you like?" asks Ash.

"Like Ethan did?" I tease. "No. It's fine. We're a little overdressed."

"I'll bring you here for lunch some time," he says and smiles.

I want to smile too, but I doubt Ash can take me on a lunch date any time soon. "We're sticking together for now and need to get back before the others worry." I pat the small purse containing my phone. "Tobias messages every half hour."

"Tobias still takes the guardian role seriously, huh?" asks Ash. "Even now he isn't cursed to?"

I poke him in the side. "Like you do?"

He grins and kisses the top of my head. "Since day one, Maeve. I had to look after the rugby fan who fainted at the sight of me."

"Ha ha," I say but smile at the memory of watching Ash play—just before I collapsed with a vision.

Neither of us knew what we were on that day.

We reach the end of the busier street that meets the tree-lined one that leads to our temporary home amongst the other squashed together terraced houses. Ash halts, and my arm pulls tight.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Somebody's following." He starts walking again but shifts direction and we approach the crossing towards a different road, ready to loop back into the café strip.

"Who?"

"Not sure." Maintaining our pace, we walk along a less familiar street, nodding hello to a couple wandering by. We pass the closed shops, which would bustle with customers in the daytime. Now, the area is quiet, save for the odd car driving through. Ash pauses again. "In here."

A narrow alleyway between the sides of two tall buildings ends in a brick wall that's the back of another. There's no way for anybody to get into the u-shaped space without passing us, and Ash's figure takes up half the entrance.

"Okay?" I ask.

"Someone—or a couple of someones—are definitely still following. I recognised the same footsteps as we changed direction." He takes my hand and pulls me closer. "Not shifters. I don't think they're vamps, either."

"Witches who've cloaked themselves?" I suggest.

"Yeah, they're not human hunters."

Hunters. I'd almost forgotten about them, they faded into the background once things became focused on the academy. Faded in my mind or have hunters decided to regroup and lie low as the Dominion increases in strength? Maybe the group knows there's a war coming and are leaving us to kill each other and save them a job. Matt and Amelia work with Alaric who trusts and works with hunters; after my encounter when they attacked Ash, I never would.

"Do hunters operate in cities?" I ask.

"Yeah, they normally do. Easier prey and easier to hide. But the people following aren't humans."

"If they're witches, they'll spot we're hiding here now," I say.

"Yeah, well, could be useful for them to find us." He arches a brow. "If they're Gabriella's lackeys, they obviously don't know everything about us if they're willing to stalk on the Dominion's behalf."

"Newer recruits? Dorian told Tobias he'd come across a few."

"I almost feel sorry for these people when they attack us," says Ash with a snort.

"Subdue, don't hurt them?" I suggest as much to him as myself. "Get information?"

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