Page 30 of The Hunt of Night

“Because…” He gives me a pointed look, like that explains it.

“Because? I didn’t tell you I was Princess Adrianna Reagan,” I state, and he scoffs.

“That’s different.” I cock a brow at him, but he doesn’t falter. “It is.”

“If you say so.”

“So, you’re not mad at me?”

“There’s no reason for you to tell me things like that. About Vallie, about your father?—”

“What if I want there to be a reason?”

My head dips as his hand slips from my face. “I can’t handle this conversation right now.”

“Well, I’m slightly impressed. I feel like we tested the waters of your feelings and emotions a little more than last time. Progress, right?”

I frown, trying to recall what he means, and the memory of us in the forest together, after my secret was revealed, floods my vision. I don’t know if I’m all that progressed, but I’m not going to correct him.

Clearing my throat, I force myself to lift my head up and stand strong. “Is this what you came here for?”

“No. I came because of my father.”

“I thought I just said?—”

“I know what you said, but this feels important, and since we all now know it involves you, you have a right to know.” How ominous. Perfect. I raise my eyebrows at him in question. “They’re going to try again, Addi.” I gulp. My nostrils flare, and my heart rate increases. “They don’t care about anything but their own goals, and unfortunately, I don’t know what those goals are. I just know that I will never lose what little of your trust I might have.”

“What’s their plan?” I ask, trying to keep my growing concern shielded, but something tells me I’m doing a terrible job of it.

“I don’t know for sure, but he told me to keep you close and be prepared.”

Wow.

Instinctively, I take a step back. Brody reaches for me, but it only makes me inch back farther.

“Dagger, I?—”

“Sorry,” I blurt, hating the concern that washes over his features, but I just need a little space to think.

“It’s okay, I just…I’m telling you this because I want you to trust me and realize that I’m not a threat. Fuck, I want you close because I want you, not because of my father, but I can imagine that those lines are blurred on your end right now.”

A warmth spreads through my body as he offers me a soft smile, and despite my inner torment, I return it.

“When did you get so wise?”

“I’m a mage, remember? I was born wise.”

“There he is,” I say with a snicker, shaking my head in relief that the fun guy is still in there.

“Who?”

“Brody the big-talking asshole. He’s still able to make an appearance,” I muse, and he winks. The tension that suffocated the air moments ago dissipates.

“So you understand?” he asks, hope in his gaze, and I shake my head, making myself dizzy with how many times I’ve done it in such a short span of time. “I didn’t think you would. I’ll give you some space, but just know, Dagger, we’re not done—far from it.”

14

ADRIANNA

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