Page 35 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

My eyes light up at the chance to go with them and see more of this Realm.

“Take me with you.”

Hook stiffens up as he glances from me to Cash. But I don’t give him a minute to question it.

“You told me I’m not your prisoner here,” I push.

Cash chuckles, drawing my attention to him. “Prisoner? Your room was—”

Hook gives Cash a sharp look that stops him from finishing his sentence. “The Hunters are still out there. It’s dangerous.”

Placing my cup on the table, I take a step closer to him, crossing my arms. “Was it all a lie then? Was everything you told me a lie?”

Hook glares at me. “No.”

“Then prove it. Take me with you. I can be useful.” Possibly… More than likely not. But I still wanted to go. I wanted to feel like I wasn’t a prisoner here and Hook needed to prove it.

“She’s not wrong. You know he likes her type. It might distract him long enough to slip up and get the information we need quicker.”

“What type?” I ask.

Hook gives him a vicious look and Cash clears his throat, raising his hands in silent surrender.

I ignore their little spat and focus on my goal.

“You said you never break a promise,” I hedge.

Hook grinds his jaw before giving me a narrowed look. He turns back to the food and attacks it with fury.

“She’s coming with us,” he grinds out.

“Yes, Boss.” Cash gives him a nervous glance before his eyes quickly flicker to me. He dips his head to Hook’s back before turning and disappearing out the side door.

The air in the room is stagnant, but all I can think about is the thought of getting to see more of this Realm and a rush of giddiness flows through me.

“Here.” Hook turns and passes me the plate of food he was working on before heading out of the kitchen without a backward glance.

I warily eye the plate of what looks like colorful fruits and small pieces of bread with meat on it and wonder if he tampered with the food when I wasn’t looking.

Though I suppose if he was going to mess with me, it would be something more creative than to tamper with my food.

I take a small bite first and when I don’t drop to the ground or break out in green spots, I dig in, eating every last morsel.

When it’s gone, I expect the strange flutters in my stomach to disappear now that I’m full. But they’re still there, making me wonder if the cause of it wasn’t the hunger to begin with.

CHAPTER10

I didn’t knowwhat to wear as Hook never mentioned where we’d be going to meet the man named Arden. So, I threw on a tight pair of leathery, black trousers and matched it with a beautiful dark blouse that had a low V shaped neckline, long flowing arms and a tight waist with small buttons on it.

Hook looked a little more dressed up in his black suit, white shirt and red tie that matched the small flowers on my top. But since meeting him again, I noticed suits are all he wears. He must have dozens of them in every color.

“And what exactly is it you do?” I ask Hook. He’s sitting beside me in the black car he calls aMustang.

We’ve already passed through the bridge and barrier and are now on a long, open road with large trees on both sides of us.

“With my ability, I’m able to find any rare item that is lost or hidden. Sometimes people come looking for something they’ve been searching for or want, and I’ll supply it. For a certain price, of course.”

“Of course,” I give him a deadpan look that makes his lips twitch. “It must come in handy to have an ability like that.”

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