Chapter 21 #2
Her eyes are wide as she touches her swollen lips with wonder, mistaking the rune’s shock for some other kind of spark.
“Wow.” Her voice is breathy and gravelly, and I hate how much I like the sound.
“I am so sorry,” she says finally, her cheeks flaming red as she straightens her blouse. “That was… unprofessional. I just… you have…” She trails off, shaking her head as if to clear it before pushing away from the desk.
I grin, enjoying her flustered reaction immensely. “No need to apologize. I have that effect on women.”
As if that was a bucket of ice instead of a flirty statement, Kallie jumps away like I burned her. “Right. Again, I apologize for my behavior. I’ll submit this to maintenance so they can come fix your shower right away.”
She turns on her heel to leave, but I reach out and gently grasp her arm. “Hey, it’s okay. I was only teasing you.”
Kallie pauses, glancing down at my hand on her arm. I quickly release her. She looks back up at me, her strange lavender eyes unreadable.
She tucks her clipboard under her arm, clearing her throat and trying to regain her professionalism.
It almost works.
I open my mouth to say something, anything, to keep her here and convince her to stay, stepping closer to her, but she retreats towards the door. I try to follow, but the movement is enough to send my towel to the floor, leaving me standing there buck-ass naked.
“Let me know if you need anything else while you wait for maintenance to arr—” She glances at my face, then down, her eyes widening in surprise, then heat.
A lot of it. My treacherous cock perks up at the attention, even leaking a little.
Fucker. “To arrive.” She continues as if not fazed at all, although I don’t miss the way her thighs press together as she pretends to smooth down her skirt, “I’d suggest putting on more clothes, if bearded maintenance men in jumpsuits aren’t your thing, but to each their own. ”
Little minx.
I watch her leave.
The smart thing to do would be to forget this happened.
Unfortunately, I don't think I’m that smart.
As soon as the door clicks shut behind her, I let out a frustrated growl and drive my fist into the wall.
Focus.
Lesson one for any Hunter: don't fall into a honey trap.
She’s connected to Stark.
Stark is connected to my brother.
That’s enough reason to pay attention.
It should be the only reason.
I stare at the closed door, the shock on her lips and the electric jolt from the rune replaying in my head. Fucking hell.
Slipping on a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt, I try to push all thoughts of Kallie from my mind.
For hours, I pace the room like a caged animal, her scent clinging to the air, to me.
Every time I try to focus on the mission, her violet eyes flash in my mind.
It’s a deliberate effort to turn away when the setting sun paints the window orange, to force my hands to the familiar work of strapping the last dagger into its chest holster.
Grabbing my leather jacket off the coat hook, I sling it over my shoulder and make my way to the lobby.
Much to my relief, Kallie is too busy with a couple checking in to notice me.
Good.
I need answers.
Not distractions.
Besides, if Stark is watching her as closely as I think he is, I’ll have other opportunities.
The thought doesn’t concern me. It settles in my gut like a stone, a cold piece of certainty.
But fuck, I can’t let the bastard slip away. He’s hiding something. I can feel it in my bones.
And when the sun sets?
That’s when the monsters come out to play.
I check the time. Prime hunting hours. I push through the hotel’s revolving door and melt into the evening crowds.
The city air is crisp, carrying the scents of exhaust and street food, but underneath it, I hunt for something else—the faint, cloying sweetness of a vamp too careless to mask its trail.
The hair on the back of my neck rises.
I glance around me, not seeing anything out of the ordinary, but then creatures have learned how to blend in.
It’s how they’ve evaded human detection for millennia.
I pause under a flickering streetlight, glancing down the dim alley to my left. A scrape, a shift of shadow. It could be a stray animal, but a cold prickle runs up my spine. The air tastes wrong. Predator. I flex my fingers, ready to reach for my blades.
My fingers glide over my right hip, activating my speed rune as I take careful steps down the brick path between two deserted buildings.
A figure detaches itself from the deeper shadows, moving with predatory grace into the pool of light. I recognize him instantly.
My right hand yanks a dagger from its sheath as my left slaps the strength rune on my neck, activating both in one fluid motion.
In a blink, my blade is pressed against Stark’s neck.
One corner of his lips tip up into a smirk. “Fancy meeting you here, little hunter,” Stark says, his posture relaxed despite the blade at his throat. “Say, what are you doing in this part of town?”
The small wound knits itself together before my next breath. Must be fucking nice. Goddamn bloodsuckers.
“Don’t fucking move, you bastard. I’ll be the one asking the questions tonight.”
“Oh, will you?”
“Seeing as I’m the one with the advantage? Yes. And none of that bullshit vague information either. Now tell me what you know about the Guild attacks.”
Stark’s eyes darken. “You have the advantage, do you?”
That’s when I feel the pressure below my ribs.
Glancing down confirms there’s a sharp claw poised directly above my heart.
Fuck.
I curse under my breath as I realize Stark has gotten the drop on me. Again. One thrust and it would pierce right through. I’d miscalculated—focused on the blade and forgotten that their whole body is a weapon. The kind of rookie fuck-up I’m not supposed to make anymore.
“Not so cocky now, are we?” Stark says with a sly grin.