Hunter Circles Series Complete Boxset: An Urban Fantasy Adventure
Page 98
“Krystin’s liquor collection sure isn’t,” Shawn jibbed.
“Ha ha,” I said. “It’s only at risk from you two.”
Someone’s phone rang, the ringtone cutting through our calm, fun atmosphere.
“If that’s an emergency, I’m not going,” I said. “Too intoxicated.”
Ben stood and pulled his phone from his pocket. “It’s Dacher.”
“I’m with Krystin,” Nate said before tossing back the rest of his beer and opening the last one.
Ben held up his hand as he answered the phone. “Yes, sir?” As Dacher talked, Ben’s brow furrowed, deepening the longer the conversation went on for. After thirty or so seconds, Ben’s face unfroze. “Yes, sir. That’s—thank you, sir.” Another moment of silence while Dacher spoke. “Understood. I’ll talk to you tomorrow after the debriefing. Goodnight, sir.” He hung up the phone. “Well, shit.”
My breath caught in my throat. “What now?”
“We just stopped the end of the world,” Rachel said. “What more could he possibly want from us?”
Ben’s empty, shocked gaze found mine. “I’m in the top three.”
“What?” Shawn asked.
Oh. Oh! “What?” I stood from the chair I’d been sitting in. “Ben, that’s awesome!”
“Wait, do you mean top three candidates?” Rachel asked.
“It’s because we saved Alzan, isn’t it?” Nate asked. He clapped Ben on the back. “Congrats, man. This is awesome.”
Shawn stood and raised his drink. “Cheers to this hothead!”
“Cheers to the hothead!” we all said, then clinked our beers and threw back a gulp.
Ben just stood there, staring at me. “I… don’t know if I can actually do this.”
“Please,” I said. “You led us and we’re still alive. I think you can handle the Fire Circle.” I stepped in closer to him. “Besides, your team’s got your back.”
He peered down at me with squinted, knowing eyes. “Team, huh?”
I stared back at him, deadpan. He’d caught me. “Yeah, I’m staying. Don’t go getting all mushy-gushy on me right now.”
He smiled, so brightly and so big, it was like the sun had finally come out after being stuck behind a giant rain cloud for the past few years. “I won’t.”
“This calls for more beer,” Nate said as he climbed over us toward the door. “Rachel, Shawn—help me get some more out here.”
They sang their agreements and filed inside the house. After the team had left, I grinned up at Ben. Then I rose to my tiptoes and stared him level in the eyes.
“Good job, Sparky.”
He smiled down at me again as his arm wrapped around my waist. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
I shrugged. “Eh, maybe. But it definitely wouldn’t have been as pretty a job.”
“I do have one thing left to do.”
Wait, seriously? Did this guy ever stop working? “And what might that be?”
He set his beer down on the table nearby and said, “You see, I made this one last promise to a woman to talk with her about where we stood once the fight was all over.”
Ah, that. I smiled but dropped my gaze. “That… doesn’t have to happen right now. We’re connected for life. We have plenty of time.”
“I’ll be brief.”
I looked up and went to speak, but Ben was already there, lowering his lips to mine. When he kissed me, it was like being struck with real lightning. My senses came alive, my body responding in an immediate rush of warmth. Tingles ran down my spine and arms, all the way to my toes. I rose higher, if possible, tilting my head to adjust the angle of the kiss as I wrapped my arms around his neck. Holding him there as every part of me came alive under his touch.
Ben cupped my cheek and then pulled back, smiling. “That’s how I feel about you, Krystin. Thank you for barging into my life a year ago and, in the end at least, making everything all right again.”
I bit my lip, trying to hold back the rush of pure emotions fighting their way to the surface. But then I let go, grinning wildly like a fool. Why hold back anymore? I was alive when I shouldn’t be, part of a family when I had none anymore, and somehow, some way, part of a team filled with people who’d become my best friends. And, of course, probably maybe in love with my leader.
“Anytime, Sparky. I’m always here. And I can’t wait to show you Acadia.”
THE END
Also by Jessica Gunn
Storm Warden Chronicles (Complete Series)
Strike of Magic (Free Prequel) | Spark of Lightning
Roar of Thunder | Storm of Fury | Heart of the Storm
Deadly Trades Series (Hunter Circles World - Series Complete)
Venom in the Skin | Embers in the Blood
Poison in the Well
Deadly Trades Complete + Prequel Collection
Hunter Circles World Standalone Novellas
The Hunter | The Healer | The Ghost
The Atlas Link Series (New Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy - Series Complete)
Gyre | Landlocked | Driftwood
Riptide | Countercurrent
The Atlas Link: Complete Series Boxset
About the Author
Jessica Gunn is an avid science-fiction and fantasy fan. Her favorite stories are those that transport the reader to other, more exciting worlds. When not working or writing, she can be found binge-watching Firefly and Stargate, or feeding her fascination of the ancient world’s many mysteries.
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www.jessicagunn.com