Page 44 of The Devil's Trials

She frowns, her arms falling to her sides. “I’m so sorry. That’s awful.” The sympathy in her gaze makes my chest tighten, but I manage a nod and a faint smile.

“How did you get involved with the hunters?” I ask, desperate to shift the focus of our conversation to her.

“Family legacy,” she offers.

“I understand that.”

She nods. “Are your parents hunters as well?”

“Oh, um, yeah,” I stumble through my response. I’m used to everyone around the training facilities knowing who Rachel and Scott Morgan are. “They sort of run this place. Well, my dad does. My mom runs HQ in Seattle.”

Sierra’s eyes widen. “Holy shit. That’s…wow. I can only imagine the pressure you feel being here.”

“Yeah, just a little.” I fight the urge to throw my arms around her, because that’s probably a little weird for a girl I just met, but the relief singing in my veins makes me want to hug her. I was expecting everyone here to know who I am and immediately hate me, so finding someone who doesn’t feels special.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure?” I offer hesitantly.

Her eyes twinkle with amusement. “I get the feeling you’ve known Noah a while?”

I nod. “He was ahead of me the first time I was enrolled in training, and now he’s sort of mentoring me. He also works pretty closely with my parents, so I’ve always had to deal with him in some capacity.”

“Makes sense. I’ve just never seen him act like he did with you today.”

I arch a brow, that odd fluttering returning to my stomach. “What do you mean?”

Sierra purses her lips. “I don’t know. It’s like he can’t decide if he loves or hates you.”

I almost laugh, though I’m still conflicted about the conversation Noah and I had on the drive here. “I think it probably depends on the day.”

Her lips twist into a grin. “Fair enough. Anyway, are you nervous about the novice assessment next week?”

I blink at her, shaking my head. “The what?”

She cringes. “Oh, shit. Sorry. I just assumed you already knew. We are tested monthly at this level. If you fail more than one, you’re out of the training program.”

“What kind of test?” I ask, wiping my palms on my thighs as I lick the sudden dryness from my lips. I’m torn between my nerves and being pissed at Noah for not telling me about this during our first training session a few days ago.

“It’s a physical exercise to test our strength, focus, and retention of the lessons we’ve learned here. They’re basically like high school midterms and finals, but hands-on.”

“Have you gone through them before?”

Sierra nods. “A few times. I always stress majorly and don’t sleep the night before, but luckily, I’ve passed every time.”

I nod along. “That’s good.”

She smiles and pats my shoulder. “You’ll be fine. You’re a hunter prodigyandworking with Noah? I’m sure you’re going to make the rest of us look bad.”

I manage to fake a short laugh as Noah calls the class back into session. “Yeah, I wouldn’t be too sure about that.”

ELEVENXANDER

Seeing Camille in the dreamscape last night was a stark reminder of what I lost to save her, and I wasn’t expecting the sense of grief and longing that came from being in her presence. They’re dark, sticky emotions I thought I left behind when I embraced my demon side completely. As it turns out, that doesn’t seem to be the case—at least where Camille is concerned.

And while I crave her fierce determination to resist me, I also take pleasure in witnessing her struggle against her own feelings. Because she is mine, and deep down she knows it as well as I do.

I’d rather spend another night in a dreamscape with her, but there isn’t a chance in hell Blake will let me out of this party to celebrate completing the first ascension trial.

---