Page 10 of The Devil's Hunt

I narrowed my eyes at him, feeling his hot breath on my face. "How is that relevant to anything?"

He chuckled, his eyes dancing with mischief. "You're such a good girl, Grey. Always following the rules and staying within the lines."

"I don't see how that's a bad thing," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

His breath was hot against my neck. "Oh, I see. You're the independent, stubborn type, then?" He leaned in closer, his lips just inches from mine. "I like that."

My heart raced as I pushed him away. "I'm not some feat for you to conquer, King."

His lips curved into a smirk as he stepped back, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Who said anything about conquering?" he replied, flipping a strand of hair off his forehead. "I simply enjoy a good challenge, little rabbit."

"Stop calling me a little rabbit." I rolled my eyes, my irritation growing.

"You're notalittle rabbit. You'remylittle rabbit," he crooned.

"I don't have time for games, Archer. I have to focus on my classes."

He raised an eyebrow, his eyes flickering over my face. "Is that so?" he said, his voice dripping with skepticism. "Because I seem to recall a certain night when you didn't seem to have a problem letting loose and having a little fun with Zach in the cornfields."

My cheeks burned as I remembered that night—the night I had let my guard down and ended up assaulted by that douchebag. A douchebag that I hadn't seen since that night. A douchebag that Ithought had gotten his throat slit. I fought the wave of nausea that washed over me, trying to push the memory away.

"Wait…how did you know I was with him in the cornfield?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Archer stepped closer, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face. "He won't hurt you again."

My heart plummeted to my stomach. But no, I couldn't have watched him die in front of me. I was drugged and hallucinating. Right?

"You were there," I gasped, my voice shaking.

He didn't respond. There was no emotion behind his eyes.

My mind raced with questions, confusion, and a tinge of fear. Was Archer there when Zach was assaulting me? What did he mean,he won't hurt you again?

I stepped backward, my eyes never leaving him, and reached out to the bookshelf for support. "What did you do?" I whispered, my heart pounding in my chest.

His face was inscrutable as he watched me. "I took care of it," he finally said, his voice low.

I pushed past him. My skin was sweaty, and my lungs felt like they would burst. I turned the corner and slammed into someone, papers flying through the air and falling to the ground.

"Jesus, watch where you're going!" the girl said, her brown eyes narrowed angrily at me.

"I-I'm so sorry," I apologized and bent to the ground to help her pick up her papers. I turned them over to face them right side up and read:

MISSING: Have you seen me?

The face in the picture stared back at me, sending me stumbling backward and fighting to keep from screaming.

It was Zach.

Douchebag Zach, who had drugged me and tried to rape me in the cornfield. The girl looked at me like I was a freak, but I turnedaround and headed back into the maze of bookshelves, looking for somewhere to hide and catch my breath. I ran through the shelves until the voices of other students were faint, and the silence was comforting. I held onto the bookshelves, feeling a panic attack coming on. The air in my lungs seized, and my chest felt like it was on fire.

"Breathe, Mila."

I felt his presence before I heard him.

"Slow down your breathing." His hand was on my back.

"I-I-can't," I gasped.

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