by Kelly Hall
Canter moved his knife to the top of the TV so Delilah could sit on the bed. “She’s okay. And he has a point. You need someone your size for a change. Always going with us guys and the taller girls, you’re not getting to go all in. I mean, let’s face it. We go easy on you, short stuff.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Delilah tried not to laugh. The only reason she was considered short was because they were both six-one, though Canter just might have had Jarreth by another half an inch.
“We all need to make sure we’re ready because it seems that Rebekah is going to be bringing us along more often.” Jarreth’s overconfidence wasn’t a surprise to Delilah.
“Why do you think that?” Delilah asked. “She didn’t exactly call us to meet up for that last alley search. That was pure, dumb luck, and we weren’t even right about the shifter after all, which was embarrassing.”
Canter stretched. “I can’t believe she went there alone. The standard protocol is to have backup, even for a commander. And considering how many other hunters we lost in that alley, she’s either brave or stupid.”
Jarreth cringed thinking about it. “She could have been slaughtered. And Ignis. Did either of you find it strange that he was there? I mean, he’s a mage. What’s he even doing at the academy?”
“He’s a close friend of Rebekah’s,” Canter said. “They live together. Maybe he feels an obligation to his people. It’s not any different than us wanting to make sure our people are safe. Still, I have to admit that I’ve never heard of a mage living with a hunter before. I wonder how the Fellowship lets her get away with it.”
Delilah shrugged. “Who knows about the mage, but she definitely cares about what happened to Merik and the others.”
Canter nodded. “I know I want justice for Paul. He was a good guy. The time for mourning is over, so if she wants me to go out on missions, I’m in. It’s nice having someone in charge who is a little slack with the rules. I could have gotten my first demerit, but she was cool to let us off the hook.”
“She’s a rebel. I like it.” Jarreth got his cocky grin. “I was actually thinking of asking her out.”
Delilah’s back stiffened, and the hairs on her neck stood up as she feigned laughter. “Like on a date? As if.”
“Yeah, like a date. Why not? We’re supposed to be testing the waters outside of each other, and besides, she’s totally into me.”
Testing the waters was something they’d agreed on. Delilah laughed so hard she even snorted. “She’s not into you. She clearly had a date, which is why she dressed up to go out.”
“You heard her tell Ignis it was business.” Jarreth wasn’t trying to upset Delilah, but this was the relationship she’d suggested, and he still had needs.
Delilah shook her head. “Well, that’s not how it sounded when she borrowed the slinkiest dress I own. Whoever she was meeting, she had stars in her eyes for him. Rebekah probably just told Ignis it was a business meeting because he didn’t need to know.”
Jarreth plopped down on the bed beside her. “The date must have been a flop if she ended up in a dank, dark alley searching for rogue shifters. What kind of loser was he?”
Delilah leaned close and smiled. “Probably not as big of one as you. She’s never going to go out with you.”
“She will, and when she does, I’ll prove that dagger you saw was a replica. I still can’t believe you thought it could be Stella.” Jarreth looked to Canter, who was staying out of it.
“It’s an exact match,” Delilah said. “You’re just hoping she’s not the Immortal Huntress so you can get some. Because you know that the Great One would never want to be with a jerk like you.”
Delilah’s anger only made him more determined. She was the one who had wanted things to end, and all because she was the one afraid of getting hurt. She didn’t get to be jealous. “I’m asking her out,” Jarreth said. “There’s no way in hell she’s going to turn me down. No one ever has.”
“Care to wager on that?” Delilah put out her hand, and Jarreth looked at it like it might grow teeth and bite.
He lifted his chin in a determined way. “Yeah, fine. What are the terms?”
“Whoever is right gets the loser to be her servant for a month, taking on all duties and shifts.”
“Fine, but I’m going to want sex.” He took her hand and gave it a firm shake, which she promptly pulled away.
Canter, who had known better than to get involved, moved away from his friends, thinking Delilah just might explode on her ex for the sex comment.
Her eyes lit, and she threw her dainty fist forward, connecting with his arm.
Jarreth pointed a finger in her face. “See, you think I’m going to win, too. It’s why you’re reacting with violence.”
She slapped his hand away. “No, I think you’re a pig. But you’re on. No sex, but loser has to be at the winner’s beck and call.”
“Fine. I tried to make it more interesting, but it’s on.” He held out his hand and they shook on it again.
Delilah, with fire in her eyes, turned to Canter. “Put some action on the TV. I need to see somebody die.”
Chapter 11
Rebekah rode her horse to the edge of camp and hid out in the trees to see what the other hunters were doing. She had known he’d sent someone to follow her, and even though she’d lost the hunter, she was sure he had already reported back to camp.
Seeing no activity amongst the tents, she decided the campsite was safe.
She left her horse tethered to a tree and weaved through the tents until she came to hers. With any luck, the men would be hunting in the fields for hours, and she could rest her mind.
She drew the flap back and entered the darkened tent, hoping to lie down, but then, a hand gripped her throat, and in an instant, before her senses could warn her, her back was up against the shifter’s chest. The beast’s hands were strong, and she tried to think of her next move to break free.
“Well, what have we here? A woman in a hunter’s camp?” His hands searched her body, groping her breasts and lower.
She held her breath, hoping he wouldn’t find her weapons, which were strapped to her hips. His focus was elsewhere, and his perverse groping had her so nauseated at the thought of being violated, it took everything in her to keep down the bile in her throat. Being immortal didn’t mean she couldn’t die inside or that someone couldn’t kill her innocence or do horrible things to her. No, it only gave you a longer lifetime to regret it.
The shifter brought its mouth to her neck in a perverse kiss, and she saw a bright light, so bright she closed her eyes and feared that death was upon her. But then the shifter’s arms went limp, falling from around her as he gurgled, gasping for air, just before slumping to the ground at her feet.
She felt anger in the air so thick that the hair on her arms and neck stood on end, and when she opened her eyes again, the tent was gone. She turned around, and Kayne stood in the sun, his lips peeled back, his fangs extended. And in his palm, the dripping heart of the shifter.
Rebekah was ashamed that she’d frozen, but worse than that, Kayne had seen her vulnerable. He knew her weakness.
She awakened, still feeling the rogue shifter’s hands on her and remembering the look in Kayne’s black eyes.
The force surrounding him had been so fierce that she didn’t think she would ever forget it. He had followed her and, for whatever reason, protected her. She’d never told a soul what happened that day. Not even Ethan or Ignis.
It wasn’t the last time she’d been taken off-guard, but she didn’t care to remember the second time. She pushed the thoughts down before they could surface.
After that, she’d learned something that even Ethan hadn’t been able to teach her: how to sharpen her instincts. They were built inside of her, made strong by her creation, but until then, she hadn’t used them to their fullest potential. In fact, until then, she hadn’t realized how strong they actually were.
A knock at her door had her up and pulling on her robe, an
d while she expected Sister Frankie, her three favorite trainees stood outside the door.
“We came to see if you wanted to have breakfast with us,” Delilah said, looking around Rebekah into the room, as if she were searching for something.
“And we’d like to talk to you about the attacks,” Canter said, stepping forward. “If you have a minute.”
“Would you like to come in?” She glanced over her shoulder and made sure her weapons were still tucked beneath her pillow, out of sight.
She stepped away to go to the closet for something to wear, and the three entered the room. Delilah sat on the end of the bed, and the two young men stood as if at attention.
Canter took the lead. “We wanted to know what you plan to do and let you know that we’re ready to help.”
Rebekah looked up and gave him a sympathetic look. “I know you’re eager to get the ones who did this, but this situation is more complicated than we’re used to. I spent the entire day talking to the Elders’ Council and making Merik’s final arrangements.” Then she and Sister Frankie had tried to locate the elderly woman but hadn’t found which home she was in yet. It seemed that Merik had moved her from where the sister had last known.
Jarreth gave her a crooked, cocky grin. “I wondered where you were. We spent the evening watching movies and staying out of trouble.”
“I appreciate that. When I got back, all I wanted to do was soak in the tub and go to sleep.”
“You should have joined us,” said Jarreth, who had started pacing the room.
He opened the drawer by the nightstand and then pulled out the Bible, which could be found in every room, per order of the Church.
He flipped through its pages and put it back in its place. Then he sat down on the bed right beside her pillow.
Rebekah walked over and tossed the clothes onto the bed. “I’m afraid I’m going to need a minute, but I’ll be right down. Save me a seat?”
Delilah smiled. “Certainly. Come on, Canter. I’ll race you to the front of the line.”
As they walked to the door, nudging and playing with one another, Jarreth got to his feet and stood beside Rebekah, looking down at the clothing she’d chosen. “Are you sure you don’t need any help?” he whispered in her ear.
“I can manage, but thanks for the offer.” She tried not to let her eyes roll for fear the force might give her a concussion.
“Anytime. I think we could have a good time.” He looked her up and down, and with the dream, a memory from her past she’d hoped to forget, still fresh on her mind, her stomach coiled tightly.
Some people’s persistence amazed her.
“You should catch up to your friends.” She took hold of his arm and walked him to the door.
“Think about it.” He gave her a wink and that sexy grin of his. It probably worked on some people but never again on her. It was so much like Ethan’s that she felt a new wave of nausea.
She closed the door and hurried to the bathroom to get dressed. Having breakfast with the trainees was going to be strange. She hadn’t had friends so young since she was their age, and even though she was permanently stuck in the body of a twenty-year-old, in these days, she could pass for twenty-five when she wanted.
She secured her weapons, which she was sure Jarreth had been snooping around for, and wondered what the three of them thought about her. Were they suspicious? Had Delilah figured it out? She had been careful to hide her mark, which was on her left breast and a good three inches lower than the rest of the hunters’ marks. It was where she’d been stabbed right through the heart.
She had also been careful not to take Stella out in front of them, or Luna for that matter, but from what the girl had obviously seen of Stella’s scabbard, surely, she’d heard enough of the legends to make an accurate deduction. The question was, would anyone believe her? Not likely.
As Rebekah stepped into the mess hall, she heard the voices hush, and most of the eyes were on her as she crossed the short distance to the table where Canter, Jarreth, and Delilah waited. The angel Aziel was there, too. He sat next to Delilah and directly across from Canter and Jarreth.
Jarreth got to his feet as she approached. “I saved you a seat, Rebekah.”
“Thank you.” She took the chair he offered and smiled across the table at Aziel. “How fare thee, angel?”
Delilah’s eyes widened, and Canter nearly did a spit take with his drink. By the way Jarreth’s mouth hung open, Rebekah realized the angel hadn’t let the others in on his little secret.
Aziel’s face lit with a devilish grin. “I figured I’d see how long it would take for anyone to notice.”
“You blend in rather well, especially for those who don’t yet have their marks.” She gave him a smile. “Had I known it was a secret, I wouldn’t have said a word.”
“It’s okay. While I’ve rather been enjoying getting to know everyone on a human level, I’ve wondered how to tell everyone.” He grinned, and she didn’t know whose was cockier, his or Jarreth’s.
Jarreth leaned in closer. “I knew there had to be a reason your beauty rivaled my own.”
Canter laughed. “What the hell, man? Are you going to try and make out with him now, too?”
Aziel ignored the remark and turned to Delilah. “I hope you’re not upset with me. I thought you’d be onto me for sure. You’re the most perceptive. Well, aside from your friend Canter here. He was my second pick for figuring me out.”
“You’re picking things up quickly for someone who is from another Realm instead of another country.” Canter couldn’t believe he hadn’t suspected, especially since they’d had an angel visit the academy during his fledgling year. All of the angels were tall and ridiculously good-looking.
The angel shrugged. “Well, I have to admit our fighting style and weapons in Etherean are a bit different than yours, but combat is combat.”
Jarreth couldn’t believe Etherean would send an angel to train in the Nevada Academy of all places. “So, what are you doing here? Don’t they have enough training where you’re from? I mean, did God take a holiday or something?”
The angel sat straight in his chair, and his jaw tightened. Canter did him the honor of nudging Jarreth. “Easy on the God jokes.”
“Sorry, man. I mean, angel. My bad.” Jarreth turned his attention down to his plate.
Aziel didn’t expect much from Jarreth. “I’m afraid your commander, Merik, was killed before he had a chance to introduce me and explain my purpose here. I’m with the Warrior Program. I’ve come to learn your weapons and the ways in which human hunters trap and kill their enemies.”
Canter nodded. “I’ve heard of it. I just didn’t think the Nevada Academy would be participating. We never get any of the perks.”
“And why is that?” Rebekah asked. She had seen too many things being done wrong and wondered if all of the other training facilities were being run the same way.
“We’re a smaller academy. Always have been.” Canter had heard of some of the things other training centers had, like weapons labs and holding cells for when they picked up a rogue for questioning. Not to mention better gear and weapons.
“We’re like the little sister that is stuck with hand-me-downs.” Delilah pushed her peas around her plate. “Not to mention all of the crappy uniforms.”
“We’re lucky we get workout clothing at all,” Canter said. “I’ve heard talk about the spending allowances, and James and Merik couldn’t get anything done about it. They were afraid that some would want to transfer out.”
Rebekah would have to check the books and see what kind of allowance they were getting. She had signed the budget spending reports and hadn’t even checked to see if one or more schools were getting less.
“I think it’s because we’re out in the middle of nowhere. No one cares about us,” said Delilah.
“I care,” Rebekah said. “And I’ll make sure I find out where the money is going.”
Just what I need, to put something else on my plate.<
br />
She looked down at the table before her and noticed the others had already started on their meals.
“I guess I should go grab some gruel to eat with you.” She started to rise, but Jarreth was already on his feet.
“Allow me, Bex. I don’t mind.”
Rebekah pulled her lips in tight and looked around the table. She didn’t like that the young man was so persistent, or that he’d called her Bex, which she usually only allowed Ignis to do. But she also didn’t want to call him down and embarrass him in front of the other trainees.
“That’s fine. Thank you. I’ll have whatever you’re all having.” She looked at the trays, and while she was still determining what she was looking at, Jarreth stepped away.
Canter leaned across the empty space. “It’s apple raisin oatmeal.”
She looked around the table. “Where are the raisins?”
Canter shrugged. “Nobody knows.”
She didn’t bother asking why it was brown, and while she waited on Jarreth to return, Sister Frankie and the head of housekeeping, Hildi, called her away.
She got up and walked across the room to join them.
“I’m sorry to bother you,” said the sister, “but there’s something you should come see.” She turned and led Rebekah out of the mess hall and down a long hall to the front of the building and out into the yard.
Hildi, a tall, mousy-haired woman with a slender build, fell in behind Rebekah. “We were pulling out the decorations for the marking ceremony when we found something. Sam, the groundskeeper is waiting with it, along with one of the other trainees.”
“What is it?” Rebekah raced ahead of the two, who did their best to keep up with the Huntress.
“I’m not sure,” called Hildi from the rear. “We hoped you’d tell us.”
Sister Frankie caught up with Rebekah. “I’ve never seen anything like it. But I’m sure it’s pure evil.” She gave the sign of the cross and gripped her rosary, which she always kept at her waist, whether she wore her habit or not.
