Page 34 of Prey

“I never asked you how things were going. You mentioned having a job interview in a few days. Tuesday, I believe.”

His mouth tightened the smallest amount. “I’m not going. It’s too soon.”

“Too soon?” My head shook. “It’ll be daytime. I’ll be fine.”

“Like you were that night when you left?”

My head lowered. “I had no choice. Even if you had been awake, I would have left. You don’t understand.”

“Explain it then. I feel lost, Tessa. I’m trying to give you time, or at least, hoping you’ll open up to me, but you’re so closed off.”

I took another bite, chewing slowly. The moment I swallowed, I looked back up. “He has the ability to call me. I have no choice but to go. My body obeys whether my mind wants to or not. We share things. Thoughts, if we choose to. He can talk to me and I to him. But we haven’t since…” I trailed off, stabbing my fork through another slice.

“Holy shit.” He took a deep breath. “I can’t believe you were actually able to tell me all of that.”

I paused, cutting my gaze up to his. “Me too, now that you mention it.”

“Must be because everything is going public.”

“Must be,” I repeated.

Knocking had Hunter pushing from the table. He pulled a gun from the back of his waistline and I felt my heart explode.

“Just a precaution,” he said, quietly. “It won’t kill them, but it makes me feel better.”

I nodded, turning in my chair as he started for the door, only to stop. My skin tingled and fear slammed into me just like I’d described to him. I rose, reaching for his arm.

“Don’t answer it,” I said, breathlessly. “You can’t…”

Hunter’s hand was shaking as he reached behind my neck and pulled me forward, kissing my forehead. “It’ll be okay. Just stay here.”

Slowly, he headed for the door and I could see how physically hard it was for him. He pulled back the curtain, glancing out. When he turned to me, I could see the confusion on his face.

“It’s a woman. She’s surrounded by men.”

“A woman?” I swallowed hard, heading for the window. I peered out, nearly gasping at the face. It had been the one I saw flashes of. My hand reached for the door handle and Hunter grabbed my bicep.

“Maybe we shouldn’t answer.”

I knew he was probably right, but I couldn’t stop the curiosity of why I’d seen her. Did it have to do with Marko?

More knocking had me shrugging. “It’s okay. I think I might know her.” It was a lie, but not entirely. Hunter let go and I unlocked the dead bolt, easing the door open a few inches. “Can I help you?”

A big smile came to her face and I took in the black floor-length dress she wore. It hugged to her curves, displaying cleavage that was half hidden by her long, dark hair. She was beautiful. More so than what I’d seen of her in my mind. Her red lips surrounded perfectly white teeth. Ones that didn’t appear to have fangs, but I knew they’d come when blood was her desire. Marko’s were the same way.

“You must be the Tessa I keep hearing so much about. My name is Marie.” She leaned in, inhaling deeply, right at chest level. I leaned back, a little surprised. “Oh yes, I smell Marko in you. You favor him, more so than your own scent. You’ve exchanged twice. I’m impressed. He’s finally coming around.”

“I’m sorry, what can I help you with?” I didn’t want Hunter hearing this.

“Right,” she said, glancing toward my best friend. “I’d hoped to prepare you for my arrival. It worked. You’re calm and I’m glad.”

All I could do was nod. It was also something I didn’t want Hunter to pry into.

“Well, the way I see it is you’re one of us now and we’re all very close in the community. At least, we try to be. I’m a part of a little get-together and I wanted to invite you.” She paused, her lips separating. “I’m sorry, I feel so rude, please excuse me, it’s been awhile since we’ve met new company. I forget my manners. Please, let me introduce you to my men.” She turned to the side, starting from her left and working right. “This is Kevin, Stephen, Denton, and Jose.” They nodded and gave me a smile. I knew they weren’t vampires immediately. Each of them held a glow, regardless that they were all a different ethnicity. It was a lot like the one I had. Their all-black clothing only intensified it and as I studied each one, I realized just how big they were.

My eyes glanced back at Hunter as he stared at the woman cautiously.

“Are they your bodyguards?” I asked, still confused.

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