Page 36 of Demon Hunter

What was that?

Lying absolutely still, I listen, and the sound comes again. I… have no fucking clue what it could be. It doesn’t sound like someone trying to break in. Not unless they’re hopelessly incompetent, anyway. As someone who routinely breaks into places when necessary, I’m a pro. This scratching noise is not part of it. It almost sounds like an animal?

There are no animals in Dylan’s apartment. Unless you count me right after a workout. Could something have gotten in somehow? Or gotten into the building and be scratching at the apartment door?

Or maybe I just imagined?—

The sound comes again, and I slide out of bed. I’m wearing boxers—I didn’t always use to when I stayed with Dylan, despite my hunter training, but after hearing about Uncle Norval finding Ian and Marc naked in bed, I’ve developed an affinity for sleeping in underwear—and I grab the knife Dylan lent me from the nightstand. I don’t think this is a threat—whatever it is—but I’m not going to be caught unawares. Not again.

I spare a thought to waking Dylan, but it’s probably nothing, and he’s only been sleeping for a little while. I can always yell and wake him if I need to.

On silent feet, I move out of the bedroom and into the short hallway. The sound comes again as I reach the living area, and I frown. That didn’t sound like it was coming from the front door, but rather over by the window overlooking the street. Dylan doesn’t have block-out blinds out here, just these white ones that give privacy but let light through, and the room, while dim, is washed with weak light from the streetlights. Enough for me to see that there’s nothing over by the window.

Scritch scritch scritch.

Crossing the room, I scan the walls and floor. Am I looking for a bug, maybe? A… cricket or something? I don’t know enough about bugs to know what would make that kind of noise, but there’s gotta be something, right?

Should I turn the lights?—

Scritch scritch scritch.

That came from outside. I’m close enough to the window now to know for sure. It’s definitely something scratching—if there were any trees close enough to the building, I’d think maybe a branch was brushing the window. But Dyl picked this place with basic security in mind, which means no trees right outside that would-be burglars can use to get in.

I pause beside the window and listen. Yeah, definitely coming from outside. With one finger, I move the blind just enough to give me a clear view, but not enough for anyone standing out in the dark to see me. There’s nothing up against the window, thank fuck. That would have been a fun jump scare.

Outside, the first hint of dawn is staining the sky. The street is empty, most people snug in their beds still. The only sign of life is a cat across the road and two buildings down, under a streetlight. Fuck knows what it’s?—

As I watch, it rears onto its hind legs and scratches the lamppost.Scritch scritch scritch.

I blink.

Did I…

No.

I put the knife on the windowsill, rub my eyes with my free hand, then look back toward the cat just as it scratches the lamppost again.Scritch scritch scritch.

Shaken, I let go of the blind and take a step back.

How the fuck did I hear that from here?

Chapter 16

Dylan

It doesn’t make sense.None of it makes sense.

I stare at the code again, desperate for some clue, anything that will help us track down Matt’s attackers. I can’t handle the fact that they might already know he’s still alive. That they might come after him again. I even found myself thinking that we should risk the Collective finding out Marc healed him, just to get him back into a compound. At least there, he’d be surrounded by other fighters who could help protect him.

Here, there’s just me. I’m trained, sure, but it’s been a long time since my fighting skills have been put to the test. Plus, we only have one sword between us until Ian shows up.

We could get some stage makeup or something, make it look like Matt has fading bruises, right? He can move like he’s in pain. I’d even leave my sanctuary behind and go with him if he insisted on it, which I’m pretty sure he would. Actually, I’m pretty sure he’d nix the whole idea, which is why I haven’t brought it up yet.

Tomorrow, Ian and Marc will be here. With a higher demon in the apartment, I can breathe a little easier. I make a mental note to change the sheets on my bed when I get up in the morning. I don’t know Marc well, but I know there’s no way he’llsleep on the sofa bed, so Matt and I can take that for a couple of nights. The other option is that Marc and Ian get a hotel room or go back to San Diego to sleep, and that completely negates any security I’d feel from them being here. Because they wouldn’t be. Here, I mean.

Christ, I’m going loopy.

It just doesn’t make sense.

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