Page 12 of The Hunt of Night

ADRIANNA

Ishut the water off, my shoulders sagging with a defeat like I’ve never felt before. I don’t even bother to lift my gaze from the tiled floor as I connect with my magic, effortlessly drying the beads of water from my body before I dress. My hair is twisted into a bun on top of my head as I step out of the stall into the communal bathroom.

The dripping of the shower is the only sound to comfort me and it does little to soothe the swirling emotions running rampant in my mind. Stepping toward the long vanity of sinks, I plant my palms on the marble as I lift my gaze.

The girl staring back at me in the mirror seems different. Is it possible to be more stressed than I already was? Apparently so. Shadows cast under my eyes, a reminder that my body is as exhausted as my mind.

Too much has happened in such a short period of time.

How has it only been a day?Not even. The sun has barely just set.

The trial.

Vallie’s attack.

The kiss of death.

The Council.

Nora.

My father.

Fucking Nora.

My hands ball on the vanity, my knuckles growing whiter as I snarl at my reflection.

What the fuck have I caused?

The squeak of the bathroom door opening jars me from my thoughts, but it does nothing to rein in the anger flooding me.

“Get the fuck out,” I roar, my face heating.

The door doesn’t even open wide enough to reveal who is on the other side before it swings shut again. I’m certain I hear someone curse under their breath, but it doesn’t register in my brain enough for me to care.

I try to take a deep breath, and another, and another.

Dropping my chin to my chest, I succumb to the helplessness consuming me.

They found them. They found my family, and it’s all my fault.

I should have never given in and relented that day, not even for a second. I didn’t consider that I was putting them at risk. All I cared about was getting a glimpse of my sister and father, my two favorite people, and that selfishness drove them straight toward the chaos.

Fuck.

I should have never let my guard down. I had no idea Raiden was stalking me at the time, either, which is even more foolish of me.

Clenching my eyes closed, the muscles in my neck ache as tension locks in every limb.

Guilt.

Shame.

“Ahhh,” I growl, bracing my arms over my head as my body tries to rid itself of the toxic feelings welling inside me, but it’s useless. I’m going to feel them forever.

I hate it.

I hate that I can’t go back and change it, just like the many other mistakes I’ve made in my life. Why do I continue to add to the list instead of learning from them?

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