I stepped between the two of them before violence erupted. “I appreciate your concern, Nathan, but it’s unnecessary. I’m already aware of their history. It won’t be a problem. Will it, Connor?”
Connor relaxed a tiny bit. “No.”
Nathan’s aggression vanished, his charming side making a re-appearance as he flashed a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “That’s good. I’m glad you had that talk.”
That was it? That’s all he had to say after that display?
I gave him a dirty glare, making sure Connor couldn’t see as I mouthed “What is wrong with you?”.
Nathan shrug was dismissive as he pretended not to see my unhappiness.
“We’ve got to go,” Anton said, joining us. “There’s been a hunter attack.”
“They’re back?” I asked, unable to tell exactly what I was feeling at that news.
As dangerous as my world was, the closest I’d ever come to dying was at the hands of a human. A hunter who’d shot me with a bullet made from silver nitrate.
That wound still ached in the early morning hours when the rest of the world was quiet and my mind still.
Anton’s nod was solemn and all three men watched me carefully.
I put steel into my spine, pretending not to see. I didn’t need their pity. I’d survived; the human hadn’t. In my book, that counted as a win.
Even if sometimes I still had nightmares.
“Thomas said I didn’t have anything to worry about anymore,” I said, marshaling my thoughts as I pushed my fear into a box and buried it in the back of my mind.
I’d always known the woman was nothing but a weapon pointed in my direction. There’d been someone else behind her, hiding in the shadows and guiding her actions.
“He did,” Nathan admitted as he and Anton shared a look.
“He must not have done a very good job if they’re back,” I said.
“Hunters have a complicated internal structure.” Anton’s disgruntled frown made it clear he resented that fact. “They mostly operate in cells and small family groups. It makes it difficult to deal with them.”
“They’re not all bad,” Nathan added. At Anton’s look, he rolled his eyes. “They’re not. The council even keeps a few on retainer to hunt those who break our laws.”
Before Anton could respond with the retort I could see forming, the door to the house opened.
“My time is precious and I have a schedule to keep,” Sienna called. “Are you coming in or just going to stand there?”
“She’s coming,” Nathan said as Anton headed for their vehicle. To me— “We’ll keep you informed about the situation.”
I nodded before glancing around in puzzlement. “Where’s Deborah?”
Nathan pointed to the human as she stumbled out of the car, looking a little shell shocked.
“What did you do to her?” I asked.
She looked terrible.
“I don’t think she cared for the car ride,” Nathan said, tilting his head.
“That’s because you drive like a maniac,” Anton called as he pulled the suitcases from the back and set them to the side.
“Are you okay?” I asked Deborah.
Her nod was a little shaky. “I’ll be fine.”
