Page 28 of Fanged Desire
Maxine’s smile smoothed out after a moment, and her tone was more somber when she added, “Gossip and hearsay are how I’ve survived all these years. It’s useful.”
Considering what I knew of Maxine’s history it was a rather lighthearted way to describe things, but my mind was already turning over the new information. A wealthy elf woman tied to the club? The same club where Penelope disappeared? It could very well be a coincidence, but it was a damn good excuse to see Addison again.
Before I could second-guess myself, I pulled out my phone and dialed a number. It rang twice before she answered.
“Hunter?” Addison’s voice was soft, a little uncertain.
I took a breath, steeling myself. “Yeah, it’s me. I’ve got a few leads. Can I see you?”
There was a pause, and when she spoke again, her voice sounded lighter, almost hopeful. “When?”
“Now,” I said, already heading for the door. “I’m on my way.”
Addison opened the door to her apartment and for a second I just stood there, staring, wondering if I’d gotten the address wrong.
She looked nothing like she usually did at the club. Her hair was tied up in a loose bun that was swiftly coming undone, golden highlights suddenly noticeable in the light of day. Gone were the heels that made her look ten times taller. She was barefoot, significantly shorter than me, and draped in a flannel shirt and frayed jeans. No makeup, no flashy outfit, just... Addison.
And yet, she was just as stunning as ever. Maybe even more so.
Addison frowned slightly, probably wondering why I was just standing there, gawking like an idiot. “What’s going on?”
I had to look away for a second, trying to keep my cool. The scent of her blood hit me like a wave, stronger than ever without the distraction of the nightclub’s aroma of sweat and alcohol. It took every bit of self-control I had to keep my composure.
“We have a lead,” I said quickly, gesturing toward the car. “I’ll explain on the way.”
Her face lit up like a Christmas tree, radiant in the sunlight in a way that body glitter could never imitate. “Does that mean you’re going to help me?”
I wasn’t prepared for her smile, a genuine smile that nearly sent me to my knees. She had a faith in me that made me want to run for the hills, more confidence in me than I had for myself. But she needed me, and that was reason enough to not turn away.
Rather than answer outright I motioned for her to follow, and hoped like hell that I wasn’t making another, massive mistake.
Chapter 12
Addison
Sitting in the passenger seat of Hunter’s car, I found myself ogling her as opposed to keeping my eyes on the road. She was still as enigmatic a woman as she had been when we first met, and every new detail she offered about herself only added to the mystery.
Everything she did seemed effortless – one hand resting lazily on the wheel, her head propped on the other with her elbow on the window sill. Couple that with the sports car and the low-cut top that showed off her… assets, she could have been a movie star.
But even with her casual attitude and calm composure, there was a tension to her, just noticeable if you looked hard enough. I could see it in the muscle of her forearm, taunt despite her limp grip on the wheel. I could see it in her face too, in the slight furrow of her brow. It was kind of hypnotic, really, trying to decipher her, like there was so much more lurking beneath thesurface that I couldn’t quite see. And, I had to admit, I wanted to figure her out.
She glanced sideways at me and caught me staring, before returning her eyes to the road with a knowing smirk. I wasn’t embarrassed, though I probably should have been. Instead, I tilted my head, studying her more openly, curiosity well and truly sparked.
“Are you a witch?” The words tumbled out before I could think of a better way to phrase them.
Hunter snorted, her smirk widening into an amused grin. “A witch? Really? You’re way off.”
I shrugged, leaning back in my seat. “Well, you’re secretive, smart, and clearly not human. I’m just working my way through the list of possibilities here.”
“Good luck with that.” Hunter’s voice was light, but there was a glint in her eyes as she kept her focus on the road.
I frowned, my mind racing through every supernatural creature I’d read about or encountered.
“Okay,” I started again, folding my arms and getting comfortable. “if you’re not a witch, and definitely not a shifter… What are you, then? A mindflayer in disguise?”
Hunter only laughed, though there was a touch of hesitation to the sound. “You’re really determined to figure this out, aren’t you?”
I shrugged. “Can you blame me? You’re kind of impossible to read. Most people don’t have this many secrets.”
