Page 45 of Court of Evil

They share looks, and some hurry for the back door, no doubt sensing what and who she is. Terror fills the air alongside anger, but she doesn’t react to the hateful glares.

“There better be a good fucking reason for a hunter to be in my shop,” a loud voice barks.

“There is,” Tate replies, not the least bit scared of the ogre behind the counter glaring at her like he is going to rip her apart. With a smile, she heads past the counter and to the door next to it. “Follow me,” she orders and steps inside.

I follow happily, and once she heads into what looks to be a break room, we wait. The floor shakes as the ogre heads in and slams the door. “Gods dammit, Tate, my girl, you can’t be walking in like that and scaring all my customers! Do you know how bad it is for business to have a hunter in my shop?”

“Rude, I thought we were friends, Car,” she says with a smile, and the ogre huffs but smiles.

“Only in secret. Can’t be ruining my rep,” he says as he sits heavily in a chair that groans under his weight. “What brought you here? Haven’t seen you in almost a year. I have a feeling it isn’t anything good.”

“You hear and know everything. All types come in here. What do you know about the recent killings?”

“Eh, figured it was a hunter,” he admits. “It’s what they are saying, some hunter going rogue.”

“Not us,” she says. “We have intel it’s a monster.”

“Well, shit, monsters preying on other monsters now? What is the world coming to?” he mutters, leaning back. “The last one was a vamp, overheard it myself. There are some new big bad vamps around keeping order, and they are pissed, but they have their hands full elsewhere. I’d suggest getting someone on the inside and asking what they know about it.”

“I can do that.” She stands. “If you hear anything, let me know, okay?”

“Will do.” He stands. “Oh, and Tate? Catch the fucker doing this.”

“You’ve got it.”

We head out of the back door, and once in the alley, she leans against the wall and pulls out a phone, dialling someone.

I move closer, pressing my cheek to it, curious and nosy. Tem picks up her hair and starts playing with it, and she rolls her eyes as if that will help her.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my favourite huntress.” I hear the purring words, and curiosity fills me even more.

“What’s up, bloodsucker?” she replies, but she’s grinning, and they chuckle, which makes my eyebrows rise.

“Don’t try to sweet-talk me. You skipped our cheese night,” he grouses. “My mate wanted to meet you.”

“Sorry, Simon,” she says sadly. “Shit came up. Speaking of, I need your help.”

“Mine? Well, shit, can’t say I’d look as good in leather as you, but I can try.”

She smirks, even as she smacks Tem’s hand away. His pout makes her sigh, and when he drops to his knees, pressing hisface into her stomach, she idly strokes his hair. I find my own hand snaking across her shoulder, and she turns her glare to me in warning.

“I’m sure your mate would like you in leather, but not what I meant. I heard there’s been some cross species killing in the city. Do you know anything?”

She turns away again, glancing around to check the perimeter, and I take my opportunity, licking her delicious neck. She slaps me, but I ignore her and push closer, tracing my tongue along her vein. I recall the way her blood tasted, and it has me groaning and rubbing against her side.

“I mean, I’ve heard some things. There have been some bodies that were fully drained. Everyone thought it was a vamp, but Al—the . . . my friend.” He coughs. “She’s . . . well, she’s kind of in charge now, and she didn’t think it was a vamp, not really, but she’s busy dealing with a rogue vamp herself. Why? Are you hunting whatever it is?”

“Yeah,” Tate answers, elbowing me, so I dig my teeth into her neck, making her hiss. She pulls a blade and rams it into my crotch in warning. I lean back, arching an eyebrow. Our eyes meet in a standoff.

“Everything okay? What’s that noise?” Simon asks.

“Just a giant mosquito,” she snarls, digging her dagger into my crotch. “You found your friend?”

“Yeah, Althea, you heard of the judges?” he whispers.

Tate frowns but nods. “A rumour. They are real?”

“Very much so. You’d get on. I’ll take you to meet her one day. As for what you’re hunting, there are some rumours, but I don’t know how true they are.”

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