Page 78 of Blood of a Huntsman

A Place

The wait was the worst part. The anticipation of knowing that, eventually, the line separating them from their enemies would fade. Fighting wasn't hard. Win or lose, it was a flow of movements—block, feint, lunge, kick, punch, and now, bite, he supposed. And at the end he'd either be the one left standing or he would have nothing left to worry about. A simple dance. But while waiting, his mind was complicating things, trying to predict the most challenging adversary. He knew he had to go for one of the biggest threats. As a huntsman, his duty would have been protecting the others—ancient vampires notwithstanding—but now that he'd turned, he had to keep the worst enemy busy, because unlike most of his friends, he could.

"I have an idea."

Bash was grateful for Chloe's interruption.

"Probably a terrible idea, of course. I'm sure just about everyone here has more experience in this sort of situation."

"Please," Levi invited her to speak, his jaw tight.

"You said they're testing us, right? Well, how about we deceive them? Then we can take them by surprise later."

Bash scanned the ancients' faces; most seemed surprised, some excited. Levi shook his head.

"You mean some of us could face them. That's a good idea, in theory. But it means potential loss. They may just be Beaufort and Stormhale foot soldiers, but they are rigorously trained." The ancient's jaw was set. "It's a gambit we can't afford."

"Everything we do means potential loss," Alexius challenged. "Your girl has a good mind for strategy. If half of us—"

"Not half of us," Chloe interrupted. "A handful of us."

She pointed to her own chest, along with Levi, Alexius, and the De Villier slayers. "If we go and ask to speak to them, make them believe we want to negotiate, they'll think they've already won. It'd play for time, if nothing else."

Bash was impressed.The semester was over, and most people should have left yesterday—and they might have, if not for the highly anticipated tea party on the hill.

Those cowards had attacked when the Institute was supposedly at its weakest. Making them think they were right, that Oldcrest was empty, was smart.

He chuckled. "I like it. Bet you anything they'll fall for it, too."

From what he knew of vampires, they certainly were arrogant enough to believe they had won by simply intimidating them.

"It's dangerous," Levi repeated.

"Everything is dangerous. Your girl is right, Leviathan."

The ancient glared at Alexius, who didn't so much as blink as he met the gaze head-on.

"Easy for you to say. You can't step out there."

"No. I'll just be the first to deal with the mess when they leave your carcass rotting on the other side."

"I can try to whisper to them. See if they'll listen."

"There's a difference between enchanting one mortal witch and a couple of hundred immortal warriors, Chloe," Greer replied, grinding her teeth. "But I think you're right. They've set up a trap, and doing anything logical, or expected, would just end up serving them. Some of us should stay here. Others should go. Make them underestimate our numbers."

Bash could tell Levi's silence equaled resignation. Finally, his orders came, curt and authoritative.

"Ruby, Luke, Bash, with me. Mikar, Alexius, you stay glued to Chloe. Do not let her step out of there."

"Wait a minute, I should—" Chloe’s words died as the elder stepped toward his mate, each stride slow and almost threatening.

When he reached her, his face dropped to her, and his lips pressed against hers, briefly and ever so sweetly. Bash looked away, feeling like he was intruding on something far too intimate. Something he envied.

"You should remain safe," he stressed. "For me. I cannot do this while I worry about you."

Bash could tell she was pissed.

"I can take care of myself."

"You will. None of us will be idle tonight. But they want you. Not me, not anyone else. They want to see you burn. This entire trap could be just for you. Let's see what we're dealing with first. Then you can save my ass when I need you."

The guy was smart; Bash could tell that spin would work even before Chloe nodded, her shoulders sagging in defeat.

He sent Mikar, then Alexius, meaningful looks. Bash pitied them both, if Chloe got so much as a scratch.

He glanced up at the hill, at the ominous single cloud hovering over it, before following Levi out of the borders.

Ruby was on the ancient’s left, Luke covered his right flank, and Bash closed up the rear.

A natural place he'd fallen into without thinking things through. But it fit. Somehow, it fit.

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