Page 37 of Demons In My Head: Exposing the Exiled
The sound of retreating footsteps and panicked voices faded as Hunter approached us, his movements careful and measured despite his injuries. Jasper's hold around my waist tightened, a protective gesture that didn't go unnoticed by Hunter.
"So," Hunter said, his eyes flicking between me and Jasper. "This is new."
I rolled my eyes. "Which part? The ghosting out, the zombies—"
"The PDA," he stated with a raised brow.
My cheeks grew hot almost instantly. I hadn't even really noticed. I mean, I obviously knew that he'd put his arm around me, but it was the fact that it didn't bother me. My skin didn't crawl, and I hadn't felt the urge to pull away. It felt… natural.
I felt Jasper tense through our bond. "And who exactly are you?"
"It's okay," I murmured, placing my hand on Jasper's arm. "I should’ve introduced you two earlier. This is my oldest friend, Hunter. Hunter, this is Jasper." The two men did the thing two men do when they meet one another—a slight tip of the head in greeting. I continued, "Hunter's one of the good ones. Usually." I shot him a pointed look. "When he's not getting himself captured by psychopaths."
Hunter had the grace to look sheepish, though the effect was somewhat ruined by the blood drying under his nose. "In my defense, I didn't exactly plan on running into Slade of all people. I haven't even thought of the bastard in years. At first, I thought I was just dealing with some lunatic. Probably wouldn't have figured out it was him, but he loves to gloat too much."
"Slade or not, what were you thinking, coming to Port Black alone?"
"I can take care of myself," Hunter said. "Besides, you came here alone and seem to be doing just fine, but I can't exactly discuss the details here." The meaning was clear. Whatever had brought him here was classified. I just hoped it wasn’t anything he was doing at Asrael’s request, and if it was, well, I was about to blow that right the fuck up.
Jasper's low growl rumbled through his chest. "If this puts Palmer at risk—"
"I would never!"
"Or has anything to do with Asrael—"
Hunter's wide eyes met mine. I could hear his unasked question.
What all does he know?
I stared back at my friend.Everything.I made a gesture with my hand so he knew it was okay to talk openly about anything.
Hunter, once again, looked shell-shocked. He took a moment to compose himself. "As I was saying, I would never do anything to put her at risk," his voice sharp. "Palmer's like a sister to me. But there are things happening that you need to know about. Things about Emerald Lakes… about Asrael..."
"There are things you need to know, too," I sighed.
Jasper dropped his hand from my waist, but his protective stance didn't waver. "Perhaps we should continue this conversation somewhere more private," he suggested, though his tone made it clear it wasn't really a suggestion.
We made our way to the apartment, and I was glad I’d taken the time to heal Hunter before making the trek up the stairs and through the hallways.
"Nice place," he commented as we entered the apartment, his trained eyes scanning every corner despite his injuries. "Very... luxurious.”
I crossed my arms, leaning against the kitchen counter. "You didn't come to Port Black just to check on my mission status. What's this about Emerald Lakes?"
Hunter's expression shifted, becoming more serious. "I found Cam."
The name hit me like a physical blow. "What? Cam? As in, yourbrother?"
"Yes." Hunter's good hand clenched into a fist. "He's alive, Palmer. And you’ve met him."
My mind flashed to the only man I’d ever met with that name. A tall, quiet mage I'd met in Asrael's castle by the sea—the one who'd looked at me with such intensity when I'd mentioned Hunter's name. "Oh my god," I breathed, moving to sit beside my friend. "That Cam was your Cam?"
"When he heard you knew me..." Hunter's voice cracked slightly. "All these years, he thought I was dead—just like Ithought he was." He laughed, but the sound was hollow. "Turns out we were both wrong."
All I could seem to do was stare at Hunter with my mouth open.
Jasper moved next to me and placed his hand on my shoulder, "I'll give you two some privacy. I'm going to go see who's still in the club. There have to be some loyal Exiled members left around here. We're going to need all the help we can get."
I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. Cam was alive. The same brother whose loss had haunted Hunter for years, whose name he could barely speak without his voice breaking.
