Page 94 of The Hunt
I wanted to be angry at what he’d provoked. Instead, that thing inside of me pushed my emotions in a different direction. I noticed how handsome Fenris looked with his hair wet and tousled. The torchlight reflected off the water and his eyes, and the effect created an ache in my chest that had nothing to do with hunger.
Then, he smiled.
The ache intensified dangerously, and I turned my back on him to check the message on my phone.
Adira: Where are you?
“Adira figured out the tracking spell is gone and wants to know where I am. Do I answer her, obviously not giving my location, or ignore her?”
“Ignoring her will probably upset her more and have her redirecting my dad’s efforts from finding Ashlyn to finding you.”
The husky note in his words did nothing to steady my pulse. I willed myself to calm down as I kept my back to him.
“Okay. Then how would you reply?”
“Tell her you’re practicing your skills. Thank her for the break, and ask her what she needs.”
“I hate misleading her.”
“But you aren’t. Every word of that is the truth whether you believe it or not.”
Understanding lit, and I looked back at him. He was still on his side of the pool and looked more relaxed than he had a moment ago.
“That wasn’t you teasing like usual just now, was it?”
His lips quirked at the corners.
“The way you leaned out of the water just far enough so only your legs were still in? That would have brought any male to his knees, Eliana.”
Using the phone as an excuse to give him my back once more, I sent a reply to Adira as I struggled not to cry.
Me: I’m practicing, but really appreciate the excuse for a break. What do you need? I can call you, and we can talk for a while. Or should I come back to the Academy?
Every word of that was desperately true. I’d willingly endure Adira to avoid getting back into that pool with Fenris.
Adira: What are you practicing?
Me: Luring my prey.
I sniffled, the truth tearing me apart.
Water splashed behind me, but I didn’t turn to see. I couldn’t. My heart was too busy breaking itself apart.
“Don’t,” Fenris said softly. “Please don’t. I’m sorry for pushing. I shouldn’t have said any of that. Forgive me?”
“For what? For telling me the truth like I wanted? I think you’re right. There’s a lot I’m not ready to hear.”
“I know. I’m trying to help you, Eliana. Please believe that.”
“I do.”
“Can I claim one of my hugs?”
I shook my head.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea right now.”
Since Adira hadn’t yet answered, I dropped the phone onto the bag and went to sit against the tunnel wall. The cool temperature against my back helped calm what still raged inside of me. Fenris crouched beside the pool, a fair distance away. His intent study made me nervous so I closed my eyes.
