Page 22 of Tethered to the World
“Come.” Camden didn’t wait after he gave the order, simply headed in the opposite direction.
She quickly fell into step next to Xander. Neither man spoke while they searched the grounds.
“What exactly do you patrol? I thought a school full of supernaturals would be the last place anyone would try to infiltrate. What would they hope to gain?”
Xander glanced at her, but it was Camden who spoke. “The humans who go to this school are loyal to us. They get a free ride in exchange for their sworn oath to help supernaturals in the outside world. Most humans when they learn about us are not so…accepting. Our job is to keep the humans on campus safe and prevent the truth from spreading and poisoning the outside world.”
From her limited time on the internet, when she obeyed her uncle and he granted her certain privileges, she knew supernaturals were believed to be myths and legends. She had no idea there were so many of them.
“How do you know who’s a friend or enemy?” To her, everyone was a threat. Being on constant guard was exhausting, but necessary if she wanted to survive. While instinct said she could trust these men, they were also keeping secrets from her. Until she knew more, she had to remain on guard.
“Unless they’re pack, everyone is an enemy.” Camden gave her a serious look, and she couldn’t help wonder if he ever smiled. “We’re allies in a bigger war. While we work together to keep our secret from the outsiders, the different species contain many smaller packs, each subject to allegiance to their own kind. If a pack see a weakness within their own ranks, they won’t hesitate to attack.”
Annora glanced between the two men. “I don’t understand. None of the guys on your team are the same species, but you’re pack.”
Tension tightened Camden’s shoulders. “Our species are extremely rare, so while we’re at school we’re considered our own group. There aren’t enough of us to form a separate pack. Attendance is very strict. Only the best of each pack is allowed to attend. And after our training is over, we’re expected to go back to our families.”
And they obviously didn’t like the idea of disbanding.
As they followed the outer perimeter of the school, she noticed that very few students actually lingered outside. She was glad when they pulled away from the tree line—something about not being able to see into the darkness left her unsettled.
The men moved in and out of the shadows like they were old friends, and she did her best to duplicate their movements without relying on her gift.
“What should we be watching for while on duty?” She whispered to Xander, feeling like she was disturbing the silence.
“Anything that looks out of the ordinary. People who don’t belong.” He tipped his head toward the streets behind them. “The university is warded, meaning everyone who enters and exits is tracked, and we’ll get a notification if there’s an uninvited visitor. Our job is to hunt them down and get them to leave.”
She stared toward the road, but no matter how much she looked, she couldn’t detect anything. “Magic is real?”
Both men cast a quick glance at her, and she knew she’d demonstrated her ignorance again.
Xander looked over her head and raised a brow. She turned in time to see Camden’s brief nod.
“There are three major groups of paranormal creatures.” To her surprise, Camden crouched down next to her, close enough that she was acutely aware of the power he exuded. “Vampires, shifters and witches.”
“Holy shit.” She wobbled a little bit as she spun to stare at him. “Vampires are real?”
For a second, she’d swear she saw him repress a smile, then it was gone.
“They aren’t like the movies and books. They’re vicious, twisted creatures who use mind control to feed on those weaker than them.” A grimace twisted his features. “Thankfully, they usually keep to the accords. Each species is trained to keep the others in check. Each pack is expected to control their own people. If they can’t, the accord allows for a hunt to be called, and we’re forced to hunt the guilty party while the witches take care of covering up the mess.”
She shivered at the starkness in his eyes. “What happened?”
He shook his head, and the vulnerable look was gone. He turned away, his strides forcing her to scramble to keep up with him. Xander tapped her arm and shook his head, and she grudgingly gave up the chase. “A hunt is just what it sounds like. There is no trial, no jury, and no presumed innocence. If a hunt is called, you have already been found guilty. The hunters won’t stop until their prey has been found and terminated.”
She sensed his reluctance to say more, but she had to know what she was getting herself into if she stayed. “Tell me.”
His face hardened, the soldier in him suppressing all emotions. “They’re torn apart.”
Then he too headed off in the distance.
She didn’t have to be told that they lost someone to the hunt…that they might have actually been called upon to participate. A shiver raced down her spine at the thought of it happening to her, but she much preferred to be ripped apart by them than returned to her uncle.
They continued to patrol in silence until three in the morning. She didn’t mind the missed sleep, since her nightmares would have tortured her until dawn anyway. When they reached the house, she was surprised to find Mason standing outside waiting for them.
She quickly scanned him, searching for injuries, but the big giant appeared fine.
As they entered the house, Xander and Camden headed toward the hall, then opened the scarred door at the end, and she realized it led to a basement. A light flickered on as they headed down, and the spit dried out of her mouth when they disappeared. Only when the door to the basement banged shut behind them was she able to breathe again.
