Page 53 of The Secret of Pain

"You make me sound like an animal." I roll my eyes, because everyone keeps talking about my past and I really have no idea about it—it does little more than make me cringe.

"Not an animal. A weapon, one of the greatest in the Hunter’s arsenal, and now with your Angel mark…" Archer’s voice trails off, but his eyes almost glow with the possibilities, and the alarm in my head goes off again. I don't want to be a weapon for the Hunters. I want to be myself.

"I am not a weapon," I tell him gruffly. "I am a person, and how the fuck do you know about my Angel mark?" I cross my arms and shoot a look at Bauer, at least he has the decency to look guilty. I purposely didn't put my hair up to keep it covered, and I have a long-sleeved crop on to hide my arm, since the vines now dangle toward my elbow, though it does appear to have stopped growing.

"After your ritual, word has crossed the globe about what happened. Yet another myth that appears to be true. What is it about you, Remy, that makes you so special?" he asks, the calculating look on his face sends a shiver down my spine. Bauer seems to catch on to my unease and stands.

"My sister always has been a little different, but she's just the same as you and me. I'm going to throw some food together. I suggest you guys shower and change, then we'll head to the range." He holds out a hand for me to pull me up and I take it while Archer gracefully stands.

"I don't have anything to change into. I'll just go like this." I motion to my workout gear. Leggings, a girl’s best friend. "I am definitely up for food first though.”

My stomach rumbles at my words, and Bauer laughs, while Archer still just seems to study me. I watch him closely as he does, trying to figure out what it is about him that just doesn’t feel right. Like my spidey senses are all tingly and going haywire.

Torn between trusting him because Bauer does and trusting my own intuition, I keep my mouth shut. But I’m watching him.

Something tells me my intuition has never led me wrong, and that if I ignore it… well, who knows the consequences I might face.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I close the door to my apartment and want nothing more than to fall face first on my bed. This day has been the longest, between the training, the gun range, and dealing with Archer and his creepy ass. He was quiet at lunch and then left me and Bauer to it at the range as I worked my way through so many different guns it was hard to keep track. While I have my own guns, apparently, I need a good range of knowledge, and so much has changed with weapons since my last life that I need the training regardless.

I also signed up for a Krav Maga class that Fallon emailed over to me, because why the hell not? At least it won't be my brother kicking my ass.

Sushi wraps himself around my ankles as I lean against the door, meowing as I pick him and his bowl up to feed him. I bury my face in his fur and he purrs, making me feel more human than I have in a while, just finding comfort in my cat. Laughing at how ridiculous I sound in my own head, I fix his dinner before looking in the refrigerator to find something for myself. All I see is bare space, a whole lot of nothingness.

Takeout it is, I guess.

I rummage through the drawer holding the Holy Grail, the takeout menu bonanza that I've managed to collect. It’s not that I eat them often, but sometimes they are the only thing that's suitable.

I dial for the local Chinese restaurant, because Ming's is by far the most superior Chinese food of all time, and try not to drool as I place my order.

I drop my phone on the counter after I hang up and pad to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, I notice how tired I look, and yet, my skin almost glows. I lift my top over my head and pull my hair to one side as I try to take in my new marking, which looks like a freshly inked tattoo. No wonder the boys are all covered—it’s not exactly inconspicuous. Maybe I can get my whole arm done, work something into what's already there to hide the rune-like symbols that are intertwined with the vines. The more I look at them, the more familiar it feels, almost like a map I think I've seen before. A memory tickles at the back of my brain, but no matter how long I look at it, nothing comes. Sighing, I turn on the shower and finish undressing before stepping underneath the hot water, breathing in the steam helps to clear my head.

I don't think about anything as I stand under the stream and just be, letting the water wash everything away. A bang pulls me out of my stupor, making me jump. I dash out of the shower and wrap a towel around myself, surely my food isn't here yet? I rush to my front door, peeking through the spy hole and see the back of someone. I open the door, keeping the chain on, considering my current state of dress, and peer through the gap.

"Sorry, I totally spaced. You guys were super quick tonight," I ramble, when the man turns and I realize he's not holding my food.

"You're not the delivery guy," I say warily, wishing I'd put more on than my towel.

"No, I'm not." He smiles at me, the look almost feral.

"Can I help you?" I ask, and he glances through the gap, realizing what I'm covered with and his smile grows.

"I'm sure you could." He winks at me and I try not to gag, because no. "But that isn't why I'm here. I'm here to give you this."

He reaches into his leather jacket and pulls out an envelope, handing it over to me. I take it. Something so small, and yet, the man opposite me seems so menacing.

"Nice to see you again, Remy," he says and walks away, leaving me wide-eyed at my door. I come to my senses and slam the door shut, my heart racing.

What the actual fuck?

I throw the envelope on the counter as if it burned me. Who the hell was he, how does he know me, and how the fuck does everyone seem to know where the hell I live? I run my hands through my wet hair and pace, contemplating opening the small envelope.

"Fuck this," I mutter and turn all of the locks on my door, understanding why Bauer insisted on installing so many, including the deadbolt now. I check the windows to make sure they're all secure, and head back to the bathroom. I finish my shower and dress, coming back into the main room as someone knocks on the door again. My body stiffens, still on alert, wondering where the next threat is coming from. I move over to the door, as quiet as I can manage, and look through the peephole again. A spotty teenager waving a bag of food in front of the glass greets me and I roll my eyes.

Way to overreact, Remy.

I unlock the locks and open the door, smiling at the kid as he hands me my food. Grabbing my wallet from the counter, I pay him, tipping way quicker than usual before slamming the door shut and putting the locks back in place, no longer hungry.

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