Page 81 of Hunt the Dusk
“Movement.”
“Okay…”
“Not a person. One second…” I try to find the thing, resisting the urge to move the spyglass too fast.
“Hem…”
“Wait…Where are you? Come on. Where—” Another hulking figure darts across my field of vision, followed by a third then a fourth. I can’t get a clear look as to what they are, but then the clouds part, and the school is momentarily bathed in moonlight.
Claws of ice sink into my gut. “Fuck! Drive. Ordell, drive now!”
Chapter 28
ORINA
Ezekiel had a box seat high above the others, and the recital would have been fun if I could have focused on it. But with the vampire king on one side and Kaster on the other, I was trapped in a vortex of vibrations and power that had my skin humming with strange sensations.
It was hard to breathe, to think, or to swallow with their powerful presences pressing in on my personal space and invading it with needle-like fingers.
I felt like I was being touched.
Constantly.
It was exhausting, and I barely caught the triplet’s performance, registering some instrument playing and singing. Dammit. Ordell would be disappointed that I hadn’t paid better attention.
Why had Ezekiel come tonight? Christian’s reaction made it obvious that he hadn’t been invited. Had I mentioned this date to him? Had he known that I’d be here? He must have. And he’d come to mess up my time with Kaster. The wholeyou can date if you wantspiel had been bullshit.
Well, if he thought he could ruin my evening, then he was mistaken because as soon as this was over, Kaster and I were out of here.
Your pulse is racing,Kaster said in my head.Are you all right?
I’m fine. Just pissed off.
The king?
Always.
He’s marking his territory by coming here. Letting me know that you belong to him.
Of course he was. I don’t belong to anyone.
You belong to the Order.
The Order isn’t obsessive. I can leave whenever I want. I choose to stay.
Applause broke out below us.
“Ah, it’s over,” Ezekiel said. “Allow me to escort you to the dining hall.”
I was torn. He was here, and it was my job to protect him. But he hadn’t planned this trip. Hadn’t given me any warning. In fact, I was certain he was only here to fuck with my plans, and like hell was I going to let him get away with that.
“How about you summon the bat boys and go back to Branwood so I can finish my preplanneddate.” I speared him with a pointed gaze.
His hand curled around my arm, and he drew me close, hot breath fanning across my cheek. “Plans can change.”
A shiver ran up my spine and spread along the base of my nape in fingers of heat. I swayed toward him, mouth parting as his lips coasted against my cheek. I felt his smile, smug and sure, and it fueled my will.
I pulled away. “Not tonight.” I stood and hauled my holster back on. “Tonight, I have a prior commitment.” I smiled up atKaster as he stood over me. “One I’m very much looking forward to honoring.”
