The Hunter’s Protector (Death Hunters Book 3)

by Bryce Evans

  Apparently, Jade and Haven understood because neither continued arguing. Eventually, Haven would be at the store all the time and her mate wanted her safe. Just like Jade, she was an alpha mate and the Death Hunter’s alpha would make sure his mate and sister were protected from every angle.

  Jade glanced at her. “Now, she’s staying with Scarlett in one of the cabins on the back property. I don’t think the alpha is going to like that. Especially with her popping on and off the land. The woman makes me nervous. I can’t explain it, but she does. Did she make you feel funny too?”

  “I felt something before she got to the house, but nothing when she shook my hand,” Greer answered.

  “You touched her?” Jade asked.

  “Yeah, but I didn’t feel anything. Maybe we are just jumping to conclusions here. She’s just old and doesn’t really care about rules. They wouldn’t let her in the Old One's if she wasn’t. Isn’t that right, Cosmo?”

  Cosmo glanced back at her in the rearview mirror and mouthed Thank you. “Yep, that’s it. Minerva has always been the one who voiced her opinion when it came to the council. If she didn’t like something, she had no problem telling them all what she thought. I had to respect her for that. It may not have won her a lot of votes from the council, but with all of us, it did.

  “She said most of the time what we were thinking and couldn’t say, but I will agree and say this, Minerva could rub anyone the wrong way. I have seen her and Scarlett go at it on some issues, but in the end, they always came out as friends. So, try not to judge her too harshly because I don’t think she meant it to be that way.”

  “Well, the jury is out on that for me, babe. I can’t explain why I feel this way, but something gives me the hippie jibes with that woman,” Haven said, ending the conversation and looking out the window. She agreed with Haven. Something was up with this woman, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

  Chapter Ten

  “Girls’ night tonight at my house,” Simone said as they walked through the door of the bakery. “Greer just tag along with Haven. No, you don’t have to bring anything. It will all be taken care of. I’ve been cooking all morning. I have some delicious treats for everyone to try. Including my newest taffy, but don’t tell Reed. I want you guys to try it first and let me know what you think. Plus, you know it will be margarita night, and for all you lightweights, of course, we will have someone to take you home.”

  “Okay, uhm...well—”

  “Spit it out,” Simone said, moving closer to her.

  “Do you mind if I bring a friend?”

  “No, Reed can’t come. It’s a no-boys party,” Quinn yelled out.

  “No, of course not. No, I mean Raven,” Greer mumbled.

  Nobody said anything. They just stared at her. It was weird because the whole bakery got quieter.

  “Really?” Jade whispered.

  Greer glanced at the girls still staring, now with their mouths open. “She has no friends, and she thinks everyone hates her. I assured her that they didn’t, but I thought it would be nice for her to be included. She’s the only girl in the Death Hunters and it would be nice for her to be around, well, you know, girls. But I wanted to make sure it was okay.” Still nobody said anything. “So...is it okay if Raven comes too?”

  “She won’t come,” Jade finally said.

  Greer gave her an odd look. “If she does want to, is it okay?”

  “Does Raven talk to you, Greer? Simone asked.

  “Only once. That’s when she told me that Jade hates her and she had no friends,” Greer answered.

  “She has a ton of them in the hunters,” Jade said, picking up a donut and putting it in her mouth.

  “But those are guys, and yes, I’m sure they are her friend, but it’s not the same as with you. Ever since I met you all, you have taken me in, bought me clothes, and shown me something that I’ve never had and that’s friendship. I don’t think Raven has ever had people like that in her life. It’s different with a girl. Don’t you think?”

  “You’re right, Greer. Thank you for reminding me of that. I’ve done everything I could to get Raven to be my friend and she makes some kind of wisecrack about how I need to toughen up or how I’m just a girly girl and walks off. I eventually stopped trying,” Jade said, putting another donut in her mouth.

  “Sure, she can come. If she actually agrees to come, then yes, she can. I agree with Jade though. Don’t get your hopes up, hun. Raven is a different breed. Maybe she wants it like that,” Simone said.

  Simone and Jade might be right, but after hearing the longing in her voice, she was going to pull Raven to the party kicking and screaming if she had too.

  “Well, girls I need to check on Alex. She’s doing my taxes for the month. Looks like another great month, ladies. I can’t wait until the oil shop opens. It will bring in more business. It’s a win-win for all of us,” Quinn said, getting up from the table.

  “Uhm, Quinn, can I talk with you for a minute?” Greer asked, standing with her.

  “Sure, walk with me.” Quinn waved bye to the others and motioned for her to follow.

  “Hey, about yesterday, I wanted to apologize. I appreciate all that you are trying to do for me, and I would love to do it, but...I...” Greer stopped and blew out a deep breath. “I can’t read. I would love to learn, but I can’t read the books.”

  Quinn covered her mouth. “Oh, Greer. I wish you would have told me. Now I feel like a real idiot. I’m sorry for embarrassing you. But I will tell you this. If you look at the books most of them have pictures and I think with how smart you are you will figure it out and with YouTube you should know exactly how to do it. Plus, I can teach you to read.”

  “Thanks, Quinn, but I already have someone who is going to teach me.”

  “Reed?” Quinn answered, smiling.

  “Yeah, how did you know?”

  “Girl, it doesn’t take a genius to see how that man looks at you. Plus, I’ve seen him go into the bakery with a couple of books and stay for hours just reading and eating taffy. He seems to be a great guy. Arden said he is. I’m just glad you are learning. I know you can do this. The store is still yours, Greer.

  “I can help you with the business part, and Alex will help you with the money part and taxes. I know it’s a lot to take in, but I know you are perfectly capable of it. The way your eyes lit up when you saw the glass pipe and furnace...well, I just knew I made the right decision. You can take it slow and I promise nobody will rush you.” Quinn grabbed her arm. “Oh, Greer, I’m so excited. Just remember, I get a beautiful piece to put right there in that window to showcase your work. I can’t wait…”

  Greer coughed, trying to cover her smile. “You’re very sweet and thank you for having so much confidence in me. I would like to try. Do you think I could take a look at the furnace? Just to see if it will light.”

  “Of course, you can. Here are the keys.”

  The keys fell into her hand, and she didn’t know something so small could feel this way. She smiled as she slipped the key into the lock and turned it. Nothing had changed since she was here last time. As soon as she stepped into the room, the scent of fire burning in a stove soared through her body, bringing back the memory of the old lady on the mountain. It was the happiest time of her life. The smoky scent grew stronger as she walked closer to the furnace. A rocking chair had been placed beside it. She didn’t see it the last time she was here.

  Her hand glided over the smooth surface of the chair as she slowly sat. It was perfect as she leaned back and closed her eyes. The smell took her back to the day Mary showed her how to turn the furnace on and off. She made her do it at least fifty times before she even allowed her to pick the pipe up. It didn’t matter, because she learned, and now she knew what to do.

  Greer leaned over and checked inside the door. Clean as a whistle. Whoever had this before took care of it. The only problem she had was how to ventilate it. The fumes would drive everyone away. The switch on the back wall was too low t
o be a light switch. She leaned over and flipped it. Miraculously, a large fan opened and started sucking all the air out from around the furnace.

  Jumping up, Greer clapped her hands. “Perfect. So perfect.”

  “I take it that it works?” Reed leaned against the side door, smiling.

  “Hey.” Greer smiled and pointed at the furnace. “Look, it even has ventilation. This is going to be perfect, Reed. Whoever had this took care of it. Hardly any soot inside. I can’t wait to light it and try it out. The smell of apple wood would be a glorious scent coming out of here. Don’t you think so?”

  “Yes, I do.” She saw the flash of golden fire as he watched her. Her whole body lit up as his eyes roamed over her body. They stared at each other in silence then he finally looked at the rocker. “Do you like the chair?”

  “Oh, it’s beautiful. I love it. Hope I can keep it a while before anyone comes and gets it. I’m sure they want it back. Whoever made it did a great job. Look at how wide the planks are on it. I just love it.”

  “Nobody will come and get it because it belongs to you. I made it for you so you would have a place to sit when you are just watching customers. I’m glad you love it.”

  Greer’s hand slid across the back of the chair. “You made it for me?” Her eyes teared up as she sat in it and slowly gripped the bands of the chair. She inhaled deeply then jumped up and ran to Reed. Wrapping her arms around him, she hugged the hunter tightly to her. “You are a special man, Reed McDaniel. I don’t know what I did to deserve a friend like you.”

  Fire flashed in his eyes as she pulled away. “I guess I need to get back to the treehouse. I’m glad you like it.”

  She watched as Reed walked out the door. She so desperately wanted to kiss him, but she made a promise to not get involved with Reed. He was too special, and she knew she would hurt him some way with her magic. She sat and stared at the room. It already had a counter with shelves behind it and she knew exactly what pieces she wanted to put on it.

  Mary had shown her particular pieces that glistened when the light hit them. She even showed her how to put different colors of glass together. It was so beautiful to see it glowing when she put tea lights in it.

  But first this place needed a good cleaning. She ran to the back room in search of a broom and cleaning supplies. “Yes.” A broom, mop, and cleaning supplies. Whoever this place belonged to before, she would surely have to send them a thank you of some kind. Maybe one of her pieces.

  “What’s she doing now?” Jade whispered.

  “She found the cleaning supplies,” Quinn whispered back.

  “Excellent. Well, it seems to be working. Quinn, how did you know she would want to do this?”

  Backing away from the door, Quinn smiled. “I’m talented like that.”

  “You, my friend, are scary talented,” Jade said, looking at the ground. “Thanks, Quinn, for helping her. She needs us. I need her too. This magic inside me feels funny and I need for her to be happy because the magic is happy.”

  Narrowing her eyes at her, Quinn pulled her to the back of the room. “Jade, what do you mean the magic is happy?”

  “I don’t know how to explain it, but I feel her sadness and when she’s happy. It has to be the magic. There is no other explanation.”

  “Does it hurt?”

  Shaking her head, Jade admitted, “No, but I can feel her pain and her happiness. I wanted to talk to Scarlett about it first. I don’t want Greer to freak out. If she thinks I’m in pain, she wouldn’t take it well. She needs something good to happen to her. She doesn’t need to be worried about me too.”

  “Now I’m worried about you. I don’t like it. After lunch, let’s talk to Lettie. But don’t tell anyone else right now. Just until we find out why. That includes your mate, Jade. He may take it the wrong way and we don’t need anyone jumping to conclusions.”

  “Yeah, that’s why I haven’t told anyone.” Jade wanted to act nonchalant about it because if Lennox found out, he might kill Greer. She only hoped the magic didn’t start acting out like it was in Greer.

  Chapter Eleven

  Greer knew this was going to be a long shot, but she had to try. Jade said she would wait outside with Haven because she didn’t want to be anywhere near Raven when she blew a gasket. Reed and Leo showed her to Raven’s door. When she turned around, they were still standing at the end of the hallway watching. Reed motioned with his hand to knock on the door.

  Well, here goes. Greer knocked, and at first, she didn’t hear anyone inside, but the door jerked open and Raven stood on the other side with a glowering look on her face.

  “What?”

  “I just...well, I wanted to know if you wanted to go.”

  “No.” Raven slammed the door in her face.

  Greer took a deep breath and knocked on the door. “Can’t you take a hint?” Raven yelled through the door.

  She started to walk off, but something told her not to. Instead, Greer marched back to Raven’s door and reared back and kicked it open then marched inside and slammed it closed. “I should have known you were too scared to go. You are nothing but a scared little girl. And to think that I took up for you.”

  Greer didn’t give her time to say anything, instead she started for the door when Raven muttered. “Why?”

  “Why what?”

  “Why would you take up for me?” Raven asked. Her back was to her as she sat on her bed. Greer glanced around the room and was shocked. The room was decorated in hot pink and grays. It was so pretty. So feminine, nothing like she expected.

  “Because I like you and want to be your friend and want you to be included. And they want to include you, but you act like they are the plague.”

  “You want to be my friend? But...but I’m nothing like them. I’m a hunter and they are girls and talk about girl things. I’m not like that,” Raven insisted.

  “Looks to me like you have a touch of it. Take this room for example. It’s so—”

  “So what?”

  “Feminine and beautiful. Exactly what girls like.”

  “I like hot pink.”

  “Most girls do, Raven. Why don’t you give it a try? If you don’t like it, then you can walk home. We’re cutting through the woods because Simone is serving margaritas. I’ve never had one but can’t wait to try it.”

  Huffing out a deep breath, Raven got up and walked over to the mirror. “They will think I look stupid with just blue jeans on and an old tee shirt.”

  “No, they won’t. Jade has on blue jeans and a light jacket. You will fit right in.”

  “Great, now she will think we are twins.”

  “Are you always like this?” Greer asked.

  “A bitch?” Raven nodded. “Yes, I have to deal with men all the time. If you don’t learn to take up for yourself and hold yourself a certain way...well, they will run all over you. Especially these guys.”

  “Maybe you could try a little to fit in and you might find out that you like it. I will be waiting outside if you want to go.” Greer didn’t wait for a response and opened the door and walked out.

  “Well, you’re still alive. That’s a good sign and the fact that you could kill her with your magic helped I’m sure,” Leo said between bites of his hotdog.

  “We will wait a few minutes and then if she doesn't come out, we will leave. I’ll try again next time,” Greer said, walking to the back door with Reed.

  “I think it was great that you asked her. Like I said, Raven is a tough nut. But maybe with a little time, she will come around. I would like to see her with girlfriends. She never goes out. She just sits in her bedroom and watches TV.”

  “I guess she’s not going to go. Thanks for letting me in. I appreciate it. Guess I need to go. The girls are waiting on me.” Greer inhaled his scent when she leaned to open the door. Everything about this man said the fresh outdoors just after a rain. Clean and woodsy was the best and it fit Reed McDaniel to a tee.

  “Be careful on the way home. I figure Lennox will
be in the woods waiting on y'all just to make sure you arrived safely. I already know that but have fun.”

  “Thanks, Reed,” Greer said, smiling as she walked out the door.

  When she got to the bottom of the steps, Jade shook her head. “I told you she wouldn’t come. Maybe she just doesn’t like me.”

  “Of course, she does. Everyone loves you, Jade,” Haven insisted.

  “Reed told me she was just a tough nut to break and we just need to put some cracks in it until it breaks and maybe she’ll go with us next time.”

  “Maybe.”

  They walked in silence as they followed the trail to the Dixon land. “I can’t wait to hear what you think after tonight. Just to warn you, they are loud, but so much fun,” Jade said.

  “We’re not going to have to do any stupid ritual-like crap are we?”All three girls jumped, holding their hands to their chest.

  “Oh, my goodness, Raven. Where did you come from?” Jade’s voice shook as she stared at the hunter.

  “This isn’t one of those sick jokes where you invite me to throw pig blood on me and ruin the prom.”

  Greer stared at the woman. She had never heard such craziness. “Why would we throw pig blood on you and where on earth would we get it?”

  Jade snorted then bent over laughing. Even Raven had a small smile on her face.

  Haven shook her head and explained, “It’s from a movie, Greer. She’s talking about a horror movie. But to answer your question, of course not. We invited you because we like you and want you to be our friend.”

  “Okay. What do I have to lose?” Raven said, walking past them.

  Greer, Haven, and Jade followed behind her. She glanced at Jade and Haven and did a little dance, throwing her fists in the air. She had come along. It was a start.