Page 65 of The Hunt of Night

He nods, and we take the pathway that leads down toward the forest. We walk in step with one another, and the farther away from the main buildings we get, the more I let the current situation sit on the back burner as I rake my eyes over the tatted hunk of a man beside me. His hair almost looks brown without the sun kissing his strands, which somehow has the ability to make him look darker, more dangerous, and more reckless.

Raking my teeth over my bottom lip, I wonder what the ink looks like beneath his clothes. The curls and thick lines leave me itching to be distracted.

“Don’t give me that look, Princess. You’re tempting, and as much as I would love to get lost in you, I don’t want my first time to?—”

I wave a hand, pulling my thoughts from the pits of desire as I focus on him. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”

His gaze meets mine as we continue walking. He is searching for something, but what? I’m not entirely sure, but he nods a moment later before turning to face forward again.

“What else can we talk about?” I offer, completely aware that if I can’t be distracted by his body, I’m going to need his words to keep me out of my head.

“Your family?” he offers, peering out of the corner of his eye at me, and I immediately shake my head.

“No.”

“But—”

“No, Kryll,” I bite, no longer looking for a distraction as worry settles in my veins at the mention of those I love more than anything else in the world.

“I could make some plans for you to go and see them,” he pushes, ignoring the irritation in my tone.

“They’ve checked in. I know they’re okay. That’s all I need,” I mutter tersely, folding my arms over my chest as I stare straight ahead. I’d rather be dealing with Bozzelli than this conversation right now.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I snap, effectively stopping his pushing as silence descends over us, or so I think. As the silence stretches out between us, I know he’s waiting with bated breath with something else to say. Glaring up at him, I give him a pointed look as we come out of the forest and continue along the pathway heading the long way back to the fountain. “What?”

He purses his lips, looking down at me like he’s unsure he wants to say whatever is on his tongue, and I would leave it there until the end of time at this point, but he finally speaks. “It’s just…I get the vibe that they’re the most important thing in the world to you.”

I rear back. “They are.”

“Then why wouldn’t you want to see them?” he asks, his brows furrowing with so much confusion that it worms under my skin too.

“Because it’s complicated,” I grumble, nostrils flaring as I fight to keep my emotions at bay. It used to be so easy, yet now, it’s a daily struggle.

“Says who?” he asks, refusing to relent when he doesn’t understand, and I shake my head in frustration. I need some space from him, from this topic, and it’s not something I can handle right now.

Rounding the corner, the fountain comes into view. It’s on the tip of my tongue to part ways when Raiden and Brody appear.

“Bozzelli has called a gathering,” Brody states, making Raiden glare at the fact that he beat him to it.

I sigh, my irritation transferring from one subject to another. I hold back my ‘I told you so.’ It will be worth saving for when they’re all here.

There goes the calm we were looking for. It doesn’t exist, no matter what we do.

“Do you think Cassian managed to talk with her?” Kryll asks, concern etched near his eyes as he looks down at me, and I shrug.

“We’re about to find out.”

27

CASSIAN

Istorm through the academy building. A man on a mission. Raiden and Brody stay one step behind me as I prowl through the halls until Bozzelli’s office looms up ahead. I could use my speed and get it over and done with quicker, but fuck that. This bitch can stew on it for a few more moments, expecting Addi to appear at her command.

Over. My. Dead. Body.

It was me who was involved in that duel. I was forced to lay her out even though I really didn’t want to, but I didn’t have a choice. Crystal herself took that choice away from me, and there’s no way in Hell Addi is paying the consequences for my actions. She already has to live with enough at the hands of my family; I refuse to add more to it.

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