Page 10 of Hunting Her
“My apologies, I thought it was implied. It’s no fun if I drag you kicking and shouting back to my palace. I’ll make sure you’re impaled on my cock, screaming in pleasure when I introduce you to your new home.”
This is the caveat that I was waiting for.
I’ve already agreed—I can’t take it back now. I don’t know if I would, considering this is still my only chance.
But it’s far different knowing they’ll pin me down and fuck me if I’m caught in this game of chase. I step away from him and clear my throat. “Fine. Hurry up, I don’t want to lose any more of my head start.”
I watch all four men exchange a hungry look. Then Lorcan reaches out to grab my arm. “Come on then. You’ll just have to tell me where we’re going.”
CHAPTER FOUR
NOVA
To get to Washington from the mountainside castle, we pass through the Underworld. We’re only there for a moment, long enough for me to feel an oppressive heat in the air and catch sight of a strange bird through the window of the building we’re in.
Then, Lorcan hauls me through another shimmering portal into the path of a chilly breeze.
The sun is setting behind the mountains when we make it through the shaky veil into an evergreen forest. Sunbeams break through the pine branches as they wave gently in the wind, dappling orange-tinged light on the leaf-littered ground.
My first inhale smells like coming home.
The forest, the breeze, the promise of rain coming overnight. It’s everything I grew up with, and nothing like the musty scent of the basement prison.
It’s bright enough that I need to squint until my eyes adjust, my brain protesting the abrupt change. I’ve missed the light, butI admit that it’s a good thing this game takes place mostly in the dark. It’s what I’m accustomed to.
“I can’t deny I enjoy the human realm.” Lorcan leans against a tree a ways away. “Although humans themselves could use some work. They’re not overly pleasant.”
“And you think demons are?” I shoot back.
“We have our bad apples too. I’m not one of them, and neither are any of the others hunting you tonight.”
“You’re all bad.”
“Do you also think every human is good?” he taunts. “History says otherwise.”
I repress the urge to growl at him. We could argue about this, or I could start running. I’d rather get as far as possible from here before the sun fully sets and they start their hunt.
From the faint sounds of traffic, it’s clear we’re not far from a major road—maybe the highway. Once I reach a street, I’ll know where to go. They gave me the advantage of playing the game where I grew up, and I intend to use it.
“It’s time for you to leave,” I say.
He sighs, his sandals crunching on the leaf litter as he walks toward me. My breath catches when he comes close enough for me to feel the heat of his body, but I don’t back away.
“Izoran is a man of obsessions, you know. Even if it were only him hunting you, there’s no way you’d win. But with Damek choosing you as his queen?” Lorcan shakes his head. “You don’t stand a chance, little human.”
His words are true, and deep down, I know it. There’s no winning this bet. No escape. No freedom.
Unless I can figure out the answer to a question that’s been taunting me since I became a captive: how do you kill a demon?
My only chance is something almost as impossible as winning—murder. Maybe if I kill their earthly forms and sendthem back down to the Underworld, I’ll make it to dawn and claim my win.
I imagine a knife to the heart isn’t good enough, but I do plan to try that first. If they’re going to fuck me before pulling me to their realm, I’ll have a chance to attempt it.
“And what doyouthink of me?” I ask. “Are you not going to be as interested in hunting me?”
He barks a laugh, bringing his hand up to my throat. I flinch despite my best efforts to stay impassive when his sharp nails dig into the sides of my neck.
“Oh, don’t worry. Brellan and I are just as intrigued by you as the other two are. I’ll make my decision once I’ve had a taste of you, and Brellan will decide whether you’re worthy of our king before he falls.”
