Page 41 of Hunt the Dusk
I held up a finger then pointed at my mouth, chewing frantically.
He stepped inside and into the moonlight, his brows coming down low. “You’re eating?”
I nodded and swallowed. “I was hungry.”
He blinked sharply, and his shoulders dropped slightly. “What are you doing in here?” he asked again but with less threat this time.
“I was snooping.”
He blinked again. “That’s bold.”
“I know, but do you care? I mean you don’t come here anymore, right?”
“These are still my things.”
“It’s not the east wing. You said that was the only place out of bounds.”
His eyes narrowed. “This room was locked.”
“Was it?”
He lifted his chin. “Don’t play games with me, Miss Lighthart.”
“Okay, but only if you stop playing games with me first.” I took a swig from my flask of tea.
“You fail to understand the dynamic here. I’m?—”
“The big bad vampire who could snap my neck at any time, right? The one that killed a bunch of innocent people to prove a point and then rubbed it in my face? Right? I get it. I know. And now I’m totally desensitized to your bullshit. You want to grab me by the throat and threaten me? Pin me to the bed and make me come? Or host a ball and kill some more people? Whatever. I’ll deal with it because that’s my fucking job. To deal with your bullshit, and that means being by your side.” I stood and dusted off crumbs from my fingers. “So from now on you donotgo anywhere without me, are we clear?” Why was he looking at me like that? Like he was fascinated and amused at the same time? “Well?” I lifted my chin. “Are we clear?”
“Do you want to know what my favorite part of my bullshit was?”
“No.”
“It was making you come. Watching your face as you unraveled.”
Do not react. Do not fucking react. “Glad I could give you a show.”
He smiled, and my blood filled with ice chips.
“You want to come everywhere with me? Fine. Be ready to leave for a weekend away at sunset tomorrow.”
“A weekend? What? Why?”
“A summit has been called for the heads of all houses. It’s a residential event.” He arched a brow.
He expected me to back down. “Fine. I’ll let the Singers know.”
“Oh no, Miss Lighthart, this is an exclusive event. Your presence will be tolerated as my watcher, but the hunters will not be welcome.”
“But—”
“Or you can remain here while I attend.”
The thought of going away for the weekend with him made my skin crawl. “No. I’m coming with you.”
“Very well. I’ll see that Ingrid provides you with the appropriate attire.”
“Wait a second. I’m not wearing?—”
