Page 97 of Hunters and Prey

The worst part was she couldn’t deny it. At least, she couldn’t refute the part about her family being in the mob.

But why did people think her house was haunted?

Alexander Hall was a beautiful Victorian house, immaculately restored by her mother, and used by her father to host elaborate parties not just for Haven Cove society, but for ‘business associates’ from Chicago, New York, and St. Louis.

The gambling rings and drug-running took place well away from the home. If anything, that was a mob rule that was inviolable. Never involve innocent family. Never hurt wives, daughters, and children.

She shook her head and tried to lose herself again in reading.

“They say her father was into some pretty bad stuff. That’s why he was killed.”

Cailyn felt her cheeks begin to burn. She shot a glare at the girl that kept whispering about her family. She considered turning around and using her new abilities to knock them out of their chairs. Then, she thought of how much trouble she’d be in if her secret got out.

She tensed.

Only if I used magic.

No one would learn of her secret if she walked over there and slapped them both. That was a purely human thing to do, right?

Still, it was a terrible idea, even if it was an almost irresistible idea.

She closed her eyes for a moment, visualizing marching over to them and slapping them both silly in order to calm herself.

I’ll be free in a few more months, she reminded herself. I can leave all of this behind.

“What are you up to?”

Cailyn slammed the book closed, ignoring the pain that came from the fact she had just shut the book on her own fingers. She looked up to see Asher standing next to her in a navy button-up shirt and jeans.

“Whoa, take it easy, babe!” Asher chuckled, extracting her fingers from the book and kissing them better.

“You scared the crap out of me.” She tried to laugh.

He canted his head to the side, reading the title of the book in front of her. “‘Mythological Creatures.’ Doesn’t sound like anything that’s going to help you with your trigonometry exam.”

“Lower your voice,” Cailyn hissed, rising and stuffing her books into her bag. She grabbed Asher’s hand and pulled him after her, ignoring the girls at the other table.

Outside the library, the sun tried to break free from the dark clouds that continued to gather. It made the light spotty and harsh, and the air was heavy with the smell of rain.

They stood on the white stone steps looking out to the lush green quad that connected the buildings of the University. The beauty of autumn was all around them. Trees were covered with orange leaves, the ground was littered with them.

Cailyn clutched her notebook to her chest and held down her skirt as a gust of wind swept through the campus.

“Are you okay? You’re acting weird.”

Cailyn put her notebook in her bag and hugged Asher, burying her face in his chest. She breathed in the scent of his fresh-smelling deodorant.

“I’m fine. My nightmares are back.”

He rubbed her back and rested his chin on the top of her head. “I’m sorry, baby. Tell me everything.”

She shook her head and pulled away. “They don’t really make any sense. I just keep dreaming about really disturbing stuff.”

Asher held her hand. “You sure you don’t want to talk about it?”

She bit her lip. There was so much she wanted to reveal about being a wizard, but making humans aware of their presence was forbidden.

Sighing, Cailyn started down the steps and to the stone walkway. “I guess I still haven’t gotten over my father’s death.”

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