Page 8 of In the Monster's Wake
Jasper pointed at Leroy, who was talking to a detective.“He’s one of the hunters.Actually, he’s one of the guys in charge of the hunters.As soon as Corey called him, he grabbed a team and ran here.Luckily for us, they were in the area, which is how they got here so quickly.”
The policeman looked bored, probably because this had been a monster-on-monster crime.Jasper was surprised they were even asking questions.It wasn’t like they’d do anything with these statements.Maybe they just wanted to make sure that Jasper, Corey, and Kerry weren’t involved in anything since they were human.
The policeman nodded and put down his notepad.“I think I have everything I need.”
“Great.Can I go home now?”
“You can.I’ll call you if we have any more questions.”
Jasper almost snorted because no one would call him.He wasn’t about to antagonize the guy, though.He wanted to go home.
He made a beeline for Corey and Kerry, who were done talking with their own police officers.He’d almost reached them when he heard his father call for him.“Jasper.”
Jasper groaned.Did they really have to do this tonight?
He turned.From his father’s expression, yes, they did.“What?I’m exhausted and need to go to bed.”
Leroy nodded.“I won’t keep you long.I just wanted to make sure you and your friends are okay and ask when I should expect you.”
Jasper frowned.“We’re fine.But what do you mean, when should you expect me?”
“Well, you’ll have to go through some training before being allowed on the streets with other hunters, but considering how you fought tonight, I don’t think it’ll take long.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re coming back, aren’t you?You fought like a hunter tonight, Jasper.It’s in your blood, and you showed everyone that you haven’t forgotten how to do it.I’m proud of you.”
Leroyactuallylooked proud of Jasper for the first time Jasper could remember, which was horrifying.Jasper couldn’t think of anything worse than working with his father again.
He took a step back, just in case.“I’m not coming back.”
“What are you talking about?You fought a monster and won.”
“I did fight a monster, but I didn’t win.He only ran because you guys arrived.He wasn’t even wounded, for fuck’s sake.He knocked me down and would’ve killed me if Corey hadn’t called you.”
“Which is why you’ll need some training before getting back on the streets.”
“I’m not getting back on the streets.I fought that monster because I didn’t have a choice, but it’s not going to happen again.”Part of Jasper wondered if it would, though.The monster had seemed interested in him, maybe because he’d done his best to hide how scared he was.He’d promised he’d see Jasper again, which Jasper really hoped wouldn’t happen, but what if it did?Maybe he could stand to train a bit harder.
But not with the hunters.He didn’t want to give his father the satisfaction, but it was more than that.He never wanted to go back to that life.He never wanted to go back to who he’d been then.
“Look, no matter what happens tonight, I’m done with the hunters,” Jasper explained, even though he knew his father would ignore what he was saying.“I really wish you’d stop pushing.”
“It’s a waste of your abilities and of all the work you’ve put into this since you started training when you were a kid.”
Leroy really didn’t understand, did he?It wasbecauseJasper had started training when he was a kid that he wanted nothing to do with this.“Maybe, but I’ve made my decision.You should accept it.”
He wouldn’t.He’d always been controlling, and that hadn’t changed after Jasper had left the hunters.Leroy always got what he wanted.
Not this time.
Jasper turned away.When his father called for him again, he ignored it.By the time he reached Kerry and Corey, Leroy had stopped.
Jasper didn’t turn to check on his father.He didn’t care what the man was doing.“I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for bed.
“What did Leroy want?”Kerry asked as she wrapped an arm around Jasper’s waist.
“He assumed that I’d be joining the hunters again after fighting that monster tonight.”
