Page 45 of The Devil's Hunt

As I reached the river, I saw the glimmer of moonlight reflecting off its turbulent surface. The water rushed past with an undeniable force, its icy grip warning all who dared to cross. I knew Mila would be cautious—she was clever and resourceful.

But so was I.

I took a moment to survey the area, searching for any signs of her presence. And there it was—a faint imprint on the muddy ground near the water's edge. Mila had been here, contemplating her next move. My eyes landed on a fallen tree trunk that stretched across the river like a precarious bridge. A glimmer of hope ignited within me. Mila would have used it as her escape route.

When I stepped onto the moss-covered wood, I slowly made my way across. I was almost on the other side when I saw a piece of white fabric hanging off a sharp piece of wood splintered on the tree path. I grabbed the cloth and touched the fresh blood marring the stark white material. I pressed my fingers against the blood and lifted them under my mask to taste.

It was sweet. A metallic tang flooded my senses, awakening primal urges within me. It sent a twinge of arousal through me, and my dick hardened in my pants. She had touched this spot, left her mark on the very path that led to The Sanctuary.

I was getting closer to her, and I could feel her. The scent of her blood, the very memory of it in my mouth, fueled me and drowned out all other thoughts.

I was obsessed with her.

With the idea of her.

With the thrill of the chase.

The thrill of The Hunt was almost as intoxicating as her scent.

I saw her as I reached the outskirts of the grove, as I moved along the shadows.

She wasn't alone.

Fox was there.

Fuck.

I hadn't expected both of my Chosen to make it to The Sanctuary. I was so focused on Mila that I didn't realizeshe, the one I had chosen to be a fox, was still alive. I had hoped she would get lost in the forest or drown in the river.

My heart pounded as I saw her pull off her mask and throw it to the ground.

Mila's face turned white as she realized that the fox-masked girl was the redhead she caught me in the cornfield with—Emily. I watched her clenched her fingers tightly into her rabbit mask that she now held dangling from her hand.

Emily meant nothing to me, and I picked her only because I didn't think she would survive this long. But I grossly underestimated her determination to be with a member of The Brotherhood.

With me.

I should have seen the signs. The way Emily followed me around campus, calling my phone at all hours. But I figured she would get the hint.

Bringing her here was a grave mistake, one that could cost me the only person who had ever touched my soul.

As I watched from the shadows, the apples were still on the table. Emily stood protectively in front of the golden apple—the one I had intended for Mila to choose. ButmyChosen refused to back down; she, too, wanted the golden apple. A tense standoff ensued between them as Emily twirled a knife threateningly in her hand while taunting Mila.

Fury burned within me as I struggled against Theo and Kai, who held me back from interfering. "You know you can't break the rules, Brother," Kai reminded me sternly.

My fists clenched in frustration—he was right, and I hated him for it.

The Brotherhood had strict rules for a reason: to keep us strong and organized. Showing weakness or bending the rules could spell disaster for our brotherhood. And as The Devil's Hunt was a test for our Chosen and us as the leaders of The Brotherhood, I couldn't risk jeopardizing everything we had built.

"Dammit!" I growled through gritted teeth, pacing back and forth in agitation. "If anything happens to Mila, I'll rip both of your throats out," I seethed, retreating to the shadows to watch fate unfold and decide which of my Chosen would survive this deadly game.

18

EIGHTEEN

MILA

With a heavy heart, I pushed myself farther into the forest's depths. The air was thick with the taste of fear, coating my tongue like a vile film. The night was as cold as the emptiness within me, and the darkness seemed alive with the shadows of those who had come before me. I tried to push aside the guilt and sorrow, knowing that I had to stay vigilant if I was to survive this horrific game.

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