Page 43 of Court of Evil

Shamus’s eyebrow arches as he looks at Tem then me. “So I was right. He is a tempest. It’s interesting that you managed to seal the bond.”

“You knew,” I snap.

“I suspected. I heard whispers in my dreams for years, magic I understood. When I felt them again tonight and heard the alarm, I knew they found him or felt his magic. It all worked out, did it not?”

“I nearly died.” I lean forward, annoyed.

“But you didn’t,” he counters. “I knew you were strong enough to endure it.”

Sitting back, I cross my arms in irritation as the fae steps behind Shamus and meets my gaze over his shoulder. He has been quiet until now, but the first words out of his mouth are batshit insane. “He insults you. Would you like me to kill him for you?”

“I can help,” Tem offers.

Shamus waits, surrounded by powerful, immortal monsters who could destroy him, yet he doesn’t argue or seem afraid. He stares back at me, one eyebrow slowly arching.

“No.” I sigh. “If anyone ever kills this asshole, it will be me.”

The fae shrugs and heads my way, kneeling at my other side, and I keep my eyes on Shamus, ignoring them. “What now?” I query.

He watches me for a moment. “I have a favour to ask.”

I blink in surprise. Shamus does not seem like the type to ask for favours. “What is it?”

“Before you go after Black, I need you to go somewhere for me.”

“Another to collect?” I scoff.

“Not this time,” he admits, leaning forward. “I need you to do what you do best—hunt. I know you want revenge, but this is important. Monsters are turning up dead, and eyes are turning to us. In retribution, our people, good hunters, are being slaughtered. I need you to figure out what it is and make it stop. After, I will tell you everything I have on Black, and you can hunt him to your heart’s desire. I will even help you.”

“I am to kill whatever is doing this, yes?” I frown. “And if I do, you’ll let me hunt Black and my old team?”

“Yes.” He sits back and slides a tablet across to me. “You have access to my personal hunting gear and garage. Take what you need, but get this done fast. I am worried about what this means for both us and them.”

“You worry an awful lot about monsters for a hunter,” I murmur as I grab his iPad and scan the information.

“This world needs both of us. It needs balance. I might be a hunter, but I do not hate monsters. I simply do not want the evil ones to take over. I have my reasons like most hunters. I was born human, and I fight for my people and now theirs. I grew to a place of power to be able to do that. Now, I’m asking for your help. You’re the best there is. Moreover, you are someone I can trust to do the right thing.”

“You know what it is?” I ask after looking over the report. There’s a map with pinpoints where the bodies are. Whatever it is, it isn’t targeting a specific type of monster. There are vamps, wolves, trolls, and even a minor god, which would not be easy. It is strong and deadly, so I can understand his worry, and thatmany bodies will cause the monster community to be out for blood, thinking it’s a rogue hunter or one of us.

“Not a clue, but every single body had one thing in common,” he admits.

“What’s that?” I question, lifting my head.

“They were exsanguinated,” he answers.

“Vampyr?” I frown. “Though drinking from other monsters would poison them, not make them stronger.”

“Exactly.” Shamus nods. “I will deal with the returning hunters. Go figure out what it is and stop it before it’s too late.”

Standing, I glance at my new . . . team. “Are you ready to become hunters?”

“I am not wearing a uniform,” the fae drawls as he stands.

“I am!” Tem exclaims.

Ronan salutes me. “Sir, yes, sir.”

Looking back at Shamus in pain, I wordlessly beg for his help. He simply smiles.

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