Page 100 of Stalk the Dark
“Too long. Look, Orina. All you need to know is that we’re here to protect you. Last night should never have happened. We should have anticipated the spirits might cause mischief.”
“You say that as if you’ve been here before, as if you’ve…Oh God…youhave,haven’t you? Wait, have you worked with the Order before? With another watcher?” The journals I’d read never mentioned the Hunters’ names. Why was that? “How old are you?”
Hemlock twisted in his seat to face me. “Enough. We’ve told you what you need to know. Everything surrounding us, surrounding Ezekiel, is a delicate balance that must not be upset, and you cannot tell anyone about us. About our curse or what we can do.”
It wasn’t enough. They weren’t giving me enough, and it was on the tip of my tongue to press, but Ordell cut me off.
“The Midnight Ball is in two days. We need to focuson that. The castle will be filled with humans and vampires. Not all the humans will be veins; some will be regular donors. We need to focus on making sure Ezekiel is calm and…sane.”
I hated that he was right. “There’s more you’re not telling me. And I need to know. If we’re going to work together effectively, then you need to tell me everything that could affect how I do my job, am I clear?”
They exchanged glances, and Ordell spoke once more. “Knowing about our curse wasn’t relevant. We’re telling you now because we have no choice. And if there is anything else that becomes relevant, then we promise to let you know.”
As much as it grated, the shuttered looks on their faces told me it was all I was going to get.
The food arrived, and for a little while we ate in companionable silence. One thing we had in common was our respect for a decent meal.
I sat back to take a break, and Ordell’s questioning gaze met mine, uncertain and wary. I didn’t want him to be that way with me. What happened…whatalmosthappened wasn’t his fault.
I smiled, letting him know we were good, and honey warmth filled his gaze. My shoulder throbbed and itched. I sucked in a breath and scratched at it.
“You all right?” Ordell asked.
“Yeah, the bite’s just itchy.”
He went so still it was as if someone had hit freeze-frame on him. Hemlock tensed beside me too.
“What?”
“I bit you?” Ordell asked.
“Yeah, but it’s fine. It healed pretty quickly, which now I think about it is strange. Is that like a cursed beast thing or?—”
Ordell slipped out of his seat and stormed off.
“O-kay…What did I say?”
Hemlock sat with his head bowed for several beats. “Nothing. He’s probably upset he hurt you. I’ll speak with him. Just…I’ll be back.” He left too.
Great. I sipped my now lukewarm coffee. Just great.
Chapter 31
The guys dropped me off at the chapter house, Hemlock surprisingly chatty, probably to cover Ordell’s uncharacteristic silence. Ordell sat in the back of the ride, and I could feel him watching me.
This awkwardness between us would have to go. Sure, he’d turned into a monster and chased me through the creepy forest and then tried to fuck me, but he hadn’t been himself. I forgave him, but it was obvious he didn’t forgive himself.
We’d talk later.
They peeled away from the curb, promising to meet me at the carriage stable at five, and I headed into the building.
Padma and Merry were already hard at work cataloging, and Edwin was fiddling with the coffee machine.
“How was your night?” Padma asked.
“Quiet.” I hated lying, but the hunters’ secret wasn’t mine to tell.
The teapot sat on my desk, still wrapped in plastic. Still grimy. “Has the cleaning stuff arrived?”
