Page 44 of Court of Evil

That beautiful bastard.

“Good hunting, angel.”

It doesn’t take long to pack up. I am used to being on the go at the drop of a hat.

Heading down in Shamus’s personal elevator, we stop at a different level and step out into his private armoury.

Neon lights flicker on, throwing everything into a slightly blue hue. There are silver, metal shelves built into the walls filled with every weapon imaginable. There are also clothing racks to the left and a private garage with a bulletproof SUV, a truck, and two motorbikes at the back.

I whistle as I look around. No wonder they call him the stalker.

Putting my bag down on the metal table in the middle, I rip the duffle open and browse the shelves for anything I might need.

I grab a couple of daylight grenades, just in case it is a vampyr, and some holy water and chains. I pile them in my bag with my usual weapons, ignoring the fact I have a tempest, a fae, and a ghost. I will not depend on them if I do not have to.

I was a hunter before them, and I will continue to be after them.

Pulling a new jacket down, I slip it on and braid my hair as best as I can, but it’s short and finicky, and I get annoyed until the fae takes over and does it for me.

“Thanks,” I mutter as I grab the keys to a car and click the fob before my eyes land on a pair of brand-new leather gloves sitting on the table.

They are too small to belong to Shamus.

Heading over, I finger them. Did he get them for me?

I slip them on, and I’m surprised when they fit perfectly, but I’m not questioning it as I zip my bag, sling it over my shoulder, and head towards the car. “Come on, time to go.”

Something that is new, though, is that we do not need to spend hours travelling by car, which I did not think of.

“I am not riding in that tin box for hours.” The fae snaps his fingers, opening a portal. “Let’s go.”

Giving the car one last look, I peer through the portal, admitting it would be easier. I guess I need to adapt, but annoyance runs through me. Didn’t I just say I didn’t want to rely on them? The quicker we finish this hunt, though, the quicker I can get on Black’s tail.

It’s the only reason I step through the portal, trusting the fae to get us where we need to go. Once I’m out the other side, I findmyself in a park, the city stretching before us—the monster’s hunting ground. The fae steps through, then Tem and Ronan, and it closes. I glance at them and frown. “Let’s go.”

“Where do we start?” Ronan asks, bouncing up and down.

“At the end, with the dead,” I reply.

CHAPTER 20

Ican tell Tate hates relying on anyone. It’s in her attitude and refusal to ask us for help as she tracks down those who have been killed by whatever is haunting this city. I could find out easily enough, but I’m curious about her, and watching her is fun. Her mind is interesting. She thinks like a monster without even realising it.

She finds the hunting grounds easily enough, and after opening the gates, she pulls her gloves back on. “With me,” she mutters.

We all follow, mainly because I suspect this will end in bloodshed and death and what is better than that? Besides, I can play along with her for now if it gets me what I want.

I have no love for hunters or other monsters. They can all kill themselves off if they want, we do not care, but when my hunter is involved, so am I.

We move a few blocks south, and she stops before what looks to be a normal coffee shop, with plants hanging outside. Gold lettering in the window proudly declares Venom Café is open all day and night, but I can sense the monsters inside.

A monster shop?

Interesting. I suppose it makes sense, though it has been a long time since I was amongst the humans like this. They seem as oblivious as always.

Us fae tend to stick to our own courts in our realm, tired of their games and greed for our magic. We rely on traditions and pure blood, although the two courts war, but that is an issue for another time.

Uncaring that she even smells like a hunter, Tate heads straight for the door and pushes inside. A bell sounds, and every eye turns to her. The music stops, and people get to their feet, gawking at her. I step inside behind her, daring them with my eyes to make a move.

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