Page 160 of Hunters and Prey

Hurrying through my morning routine, I was down the stairs and pulling away on my Harley in less than an hour. I made quick work of the L.A.’s streets on my way to the guild headquarters, my mind on what Remington had said to me and what I would have to do next.

He was right, whether I wanted to admit it or not. Someone needed to step in and teach the guild that not everything was so black and white. I had been too hurt and betrayed before to ever think that person could be me, but now time had scarred over the wound in my heart, and I was ready to make sure what happened to me never happened to anyone else.

Headquarters was a flurry of bodies as I pushed my way through the front room and toward my dad’s bedroom. I could hear my dad yelling at the help as they tried to fuss over him, and I cracked a smile.

Knocking on the side of the open door, I popped my head inside. “Anyone still alive in here?”

“Adara!” My dad’s expression softened when he saw me. He waved away the nurse they were no doubt trying to force on him while Alec stood off to the side with a stubborn expression on his face.

“Hey, daddy, how are you feeling?” I tucked my keys in my pocket and approached his bed. Sitting on the edge of it, I placed my hand on top of his. “You’re looking much better than last night.”

“Yes, yes.” He nodded, holding my hand firmly. “Those damn vamps and their drugs. I heard you are the only reason I’m alive.”

I snorted. “Like anyone could kill you. You’re too stubborn.”

Alec made a sound, half in agreement and half in annoyance. “You got that right.”

I shot him a curious look before turning back to my dad. “It was all a misunderstanding is all.”

My dad stared at me for a moment, not really believing everything I was saying. He wouldn’t push though. He never did, not until Bruce. “Nevertheless, I’m happy to see you back.”

“She’s not back,” Alec interrupted before I could say one way or another. “Adara has made it clear she doesn’t want anything to do with us besides the occasional favor.”

I glowered at Alec before giving my dad a small smile. “Actually, I was thinking I could hang around a while. Maybe meet some of the new recruits. One of Alec’s hunters almost took my head off last night.”

“What?” Astonishment and horror filled my dad’s voice, his eyes zeroing in on Alec. “This is not acceptable. If they can’t tell a vamp from a human, then they shouldn’t be out in the field, let alone on such a sensitive mission.”

Alec tried to argue, but I jumped in. “Maybe if I was around more, Alec wouldn’t have to use trainees. You’re clearly in need of a few extra hands.” I ignored Alec who was trying to get my attention, knowing full well I was throwing him under the bus. If things were going to change, I already knew Alec would be biggest obstacle to get over.

Better to start the ground work now.

My dad patted my hand with a happy smile. “I think, on behalf of the guild, we would be delighted to have you back in our fold. I know I am. Aren’t you, Alec?” he asked over my shoulder.

“Ecstatic.”

I grinned over my shoulder at Alec’s pouting face. Oh, yes. This would be a challenge like no other I’d ever faced, but I had to remember this wasn’t for me. This was for Remington… and Bruce. No other innocent person would ever fall prey to the hands of the Phoenix Hunter Guild if I had anything to say about it.

The End

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