Page 6 of Alien Huntsman

“She’s become… inconvenient,” the female continued, swirling her drink. “I need her gone. You understand?”

Gone? Usually he was sent to find someone, not to make them disappear.

“What you’re asking for comes at a price.”

He caught a creak from outside the door and held up his hand, then frowned as a delicious scent drifted in from the hallway.

“What is it?” she asked, but he ignored the question, listening to soft little footsteps hurry away as a terrible suspicion washed over him.

“Do you have an image of your stepdaughter? I need to know who you want me to deal with,” he added.

The female made a little moue of distaste, then pulled a small miniature from the back of a drawer.

“My late husband insisted. I only kept it because he seemed to think that the artist’s work would increase in value.”

He took the miniature, managing to avoid her hand in the process, and swore internally as the picture confirmed what he’d already suspected. The girl from the market—younger, but with the same dark curls and striking blue eyes.

“I can pay,” the female added. “I just need her to disappear.”

“Permanently?” He kept his voice flat, emotionless, even though his beast growled, and she waved a dismissive hand.

“I don’t need details. Just make her vanish. Take her deep into the forest. Leave her for the beasts. I don’t care how.”

She walked to a painting on the wall, swung it aside to reveal a small safe. After working the combination, she pulled out a velvet pouch and removed a delicate gold necklace. The small diamonds woven into the intricate setting caught the light as she held it up.

“I prefer gold,” he snapped, and she sighed.

“I am a little… short on disposable income right now, but I assure you it’s genuine, and quite valuable. It belonged to my late husband’s first wife.”

“Doesn’t it belong to her daughter?” The question emerged before he could prevent it and she shrugged.

“Unfortunately. I even suggested we have the jewels reset but he refused. But since he was so determined that she have it, it seems only fitting that it pay for her… removal.”

He took the necklace, holding it up to the light. He knew enough about jewels to recognize the value of the piece.

“Why her?” he asked, keeping his tone disinterested.

“Does it matter?” Her smile turned icy. “She’s in my way. That’s all you need to know.”

The girl was human, not his concern, but he remembered her gentle smile, the way she’d spoken to that child, her softness beneath his hands.

“I don’t kill innocents,” he said flatly, dropping the necklace back into the pouch and tossing it onto a nearby table. “Find someone else.”

“I’m not asking you to kill her. Just… make her disappear.” She stepped closer, her perfume assaulting his senses, and gave him a seductive smile. “Surely a big, strong Vultor like yourself would have no problem with that.”

She placed a hand on his arm, trailing her fingers along his bicep, and his beast growled.

“I could make it worth your while in… other ways too. I know the stories. I know that a Vultor male can be quite… demanding?—”

This time the growl escaped and her eyes widened. For a moment, she looked uncertain but she didn’t step away from him. Then her fingers slid lower and he lost the last shreds of his patience. Grabbing her wrist, he snarled in her face.

“You are not my female. Do not touch me.”

Anger flashed in her eyes before she masked it with a cold smile. “Very well. If you won’t help me, there are others who will. Men who don’t share your… restraint.”

He’d been about to stalk out, but her words made him pause. He’d met the type she meant—mercenaries who’d do anything for coin, who took pleasure in cruelty. Males who wouldn’t just kill the girl but would enjoy hurting her first.

“I’d prefer not to involve a human man in this affair,” she continued, seeing his hesitation. “They lack discretion. But if you refuse…”

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