Page 14 of The Hunt of Night

My fingers press into the vase, and the pretty scent of the roses burns like acid, fueling the fire inside me before I launch them through the open window.

The telling sound of shattering glass swirls in my ears as I lean through the open space to look at the mess. Blinking, the rage-induced tint to my vision subsides as I watch the flowers roll down the path with the wind as the broken glass shimmers under the glow of the moon.

I had hoped to feel relief from the euphoric sound and the knowledge that Raiden was no longer in my space, but instead, all I’m left with is a deeper wave of sadness.

7

ADRIANNA

Cool air blows over my skin as I frown, exhaustion still clinging to my bones. Opening my eyes isn’t easy, but after a few tries, the sun leaking in through my open bedroom window is finally bearable.

Groggily wiping the loose tendrils of hair off my face, I force myself to sit up, glancing at the time with a groan as my alarm starts to go off. I swing my legs over the side of the bed, swiftly turning off the treacherous noise, but the second the silence takes over the room, my mind is flooded with yesterday’s events.

A purple glint from my nightstand draws my attention, but instead of reaching for it, I reach for the spot on my neck where the amethyst had pierced my flesh. I had considered putting it back in yesterday to maintain the fucked up charade, but I’m not playing these games any longer. Now that my family is safe, my priority has to be protecting myself, and if that means that Dean Bozzelli learns that I can get out of her hold, then so be it.

Today is going to leave me on edge, more so than usual, but at least I will have access to all of my powers.

The vibrating sound from the top drawer of my nightstand makes me pause before I slowly open it to see the intrusive device inside.

I shouldn’t be surprised to see Nora’s name flashing across my cell phone screen, but it somehow manages to send a shock through me. I consider the idea of ignoring her call, but the worry that something may be wrong wins, and I’m answering a moment later.

“Addi? Are you there? We’re safe. He brought us?—”

“Don’t tell me,” I blurt, cutting her off, and the sharp intake of breath that comes through the line tells me I’ve pissed her off.

“What?”

“I can’t know, Nora,” I murmur, pinching the bridge of my nose as I sense her irritation quickly rising.

“Why?”

“Because I put you in danger, I won’t do that again,” I state, sitting tall on my bed as I absorb my own words, willing them to become reality.

“That wasn’t you, Ad?—”

“Nora.” The warning is clear, but so is her frustration.

“Get your head out of your ass, Addi. And whatever pointed look is on your face right now, drop it,” she snaps, and I hear my father splutter over his breath in the background.

“Nora.”

“What, Dad? She’s doing that self-righteous crap she always pulls, and I’m not taking it. It will be no good doing all of this to protect me when I inevitably stop talking to you forever for being a bitch,” she threatens, making my eyes widen in surprise as my father remains just as shocked at her straight-talking outburst.

“Nora.”

“What? I’m not wrong,” she insists, and I sigh.

“I love you, Nora,” I breathe, earning a scoff through the line.

“If you loved me, you would hear me.”

My head rears back. “I do.”

“No. Youdon’t.”

I hear movement through the call, but since we’re not video calling, I have no idea what’s happening until my father clears his throat.

“Give her time, Addi.”

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