“I want to be. I do. But I can’t. This new job of yours worries me. It puts you in danger. I’m not worried about the humans you may face. I know you are strong, fierce even. A hell of a lot more violent than your adorable looks suggest, but as strong as you are…all it takes is one mistake for you to be taken from me. I’ve seen you defeat those who should have been stronger than you…but survival isn’t guaranteed with this job. Not to mention, not all agree with this decision by our council, so you've made who knows how many enemies simply by stepping into this job. As much as I tease you, I am attached. You are my dearest friend. So, if you really had to get a job, why did it have to be this one?” His friend began to run his hand through Foxx’s hair. “I know you love violence, but there are slews of other jobs you could have gone for. Why not find an underground boxing ring somewhere? Or be a bouncer at a club. Hell, working for a violent criminal organization would still be safer than being a hunter. It’s not about the money, right? Not that I’d guess this job pays well. You have enough, do you not? Have you made a bad financial investment you haven’t told me about?”
Foxx closed his eyes contently, even as the questions turned his stomach a bit. Alastair…wouldn’t understand. Sure, there had been other choices, yet all of them had sounded unfulfilling. It was undeniable that he liked violence, but it hadn’t been the sole reason he had chosen this job. Alastair was content with his life. The vampire didn’t get like he did.
“Worry not. I haven’t blown my fortune on something silly. And surprisingly, this job pays quite well, not that I need the money.”
Alastair let out a soft hissing sound that caused his chest to vibrate. “Don’t evade the question, Foxx. Why did you have to go for this job? Why a hunter?”
Foxx sighed and admitted, “Sure, I could have gone for one of those jobs, but none of them interested me. I want to help. I want to accomplish something. Besides satisfying my kink, those jobs would have me accomplishing nothing important. I’m bored, Alastair. You know that. Life is so boring, unchanging. I don’t know how you stand it without going mad, just floating around with no direction. I need a change. I need life to be different week-to-week, day-to-day. I need something other than stagnation.”
“And that is where we are very different, Foxx. I am content. I’m happy to spend my money and my days doing random nonsense that makes me smile. Why perform horrible tasks, boring tasks, when I don’t need to? I do what I want, when I want. I worked enough in my first life, even for many years during my second, before my bloodline’s creator finally tracked my ass down. Why would I ever want to sacrifice my time doing it now?”
Foxx pulled back, looking up to peer into Alastair’s eyes. “Don’t you…don’t you get bored of it all?”
He wasn’t sure what he was looking for in his friend’s gaze, but maybe it was just understanding. Understanding that wasn’t there. Alastair’s gaze was steady and clear, with a hint of confusion. He was frowning slightly.
“No, Foxx. Not like you do. I can get bored of doing something, but I’m not bored of my existence. I don’t feel any need to sleep as you do.” His friend gave him a gentle smile. “If that is what you are asking me. And if I was…I wouldn’t need a job that risked my neck to fix it.”
Foxx grimaced. “Even if you don’t understand, please don’t question it. This will be a good thing. I will be happier doing this.” When Alastair’s frown deepened, he tried for a bit of levity. “Even if I can’t touch my very hot partner, this will be good for me.”
Alastair choked out a laugh before taking another sip of wine. “You are insane, my friend.”
Foxx smirked. “Maybe, but I happen to know that is one of the parts of me you love.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” his friend said with a snort.
Foxx laughed and tried to not let his friend's worries make him doubt his decisions. Sure, not all of them may have been the sanest, yet they felt right. Foxx just had this feeling that he was a few steps away from something brilliant. Whatever was waiting for him at the end of this adventure, he hoped he had a hell of a time getting there. Here’s hoping it wasn’t death.
Harlow’s phone ringing loudly pulled his ass from sleep. The song that was playing had him groaning, and blindly snatching it off his bedside table. Eyes slowly opening, he flipped it open and hissed at the time he saw, but connected the call anyway. “What the fuck do you have against me sleeping, Charity? It’s literally 5:30am. My vacation ended only five and a half hours ago,” he growled.
“Yes, sugarplum, you are correct, it has been a little over five hours since your vacation ended. Which means it's over five hours since you’ve officially been back on duty. And what do you know, there just so happens to be a case!” She laughed evilly.
Harlow glared at his ceiling for a few moments, trying to remind himself that he enjoyed his job, before sighing and asking, “What and where?” Awake now, his normal thirst was making itself known—the annoying fucking sensation of always feeling like he was a step from dehydration. Luckily, he had grown used to ignoring it when he could.
“Wannabee hunters, in Horns Valley, Missouri. The specific details will be waiting in your email once you arrive.”
“Right. When do I fly?”
“We,” she corrected with a way too delighted giggle. “You have a partner now, remember?”
“Right…” Harlow grunted. “When doWEfly?”
“Oh, no, no. No flying. You two get to drive. It’s only four hours from here.”
“What?!”
“Think of it as an exercise in control, and a moment for you two to bond.”
He glared harder at the ceiling and thought about chucking his phone. “You've got to be fucking kidding me. Fuck bonding. Just get me the jet!”
“Nope! Budget cuts due to the new influx of recruits. It will be a long time before you step on that jet again. Have fun!” she chimed.
“Charity!” he hissed.
“Oh, yeah. One more thing. Until that Jeep Grand Cherokee of yours gets protective UV coating on its windows, you are stuck with using Foxx’s car. Though, honestly, why you haven’t gotten it yet is a bit questionable.”
He hadn’t done it because what did he care if a few of the vampires that got the honor of living to stand trial and face jail time got a bit fucking crispy. They would heal, the big babies.
“You still there? Whatever, I’m assuming you don’t want him at your house, so buck up and pick a location. Keep in mind, you need to be there by 6:30am, so don’t pick a place too far away.”
