The hunter cocked his head.“You were at Seneca Park during the full moon?”
Raven nodded, then eyed the thermos.The hunter’s hand hadn’t wavered, and Raven was pretty sure he could smell what was inside.It smelled warm and comforting, salty and rich like a good soup or stew.
“You can have a sip, just to see if you like it.”
Raven’s gaze flicked to the hunter.“H-how did you get this?”
The blond man smiled.“We have donors here.They’re paid well.It’s a room and board with a salary kind of situation.”
Raven’s eyes were back on the thermos.He reached for it, his hand trembling.Nothing happened when he took it.The hunter didn’t try to grab him, didn’t threaten him, didn’t yank it just out of reach.Which is normal.You shouldn’t even expect him to do that.Normal people don’t do that, and maybe he’s okay, even though he’s a vampire.
Raven brought the thermos closer.It did smell good, slightly warm too, and he realized that he was thirsty.Not as thirsty as he’d been before with Laurenzio and Daniel.They’d made him beg for a small bottle of water.And then Laurenzio had compelled him not to drink it after all, not until he’d had his fun.
The hunter watched him calmly.He didn’t look threatening.But then, what do I know about what’s a threat and what’s not?This is all my fault, after all.
Raven sipped some of the liquid, then looked at the thermos with surprise.It tasted nothing at all like blood should.This was flavorful and rich; on the sour side, but still delicious.
He wanted to stop, fearing that this was what his two captors had hinted at—other people doing terrible things, yet more evil that just dressed up nicely to fool him and feed him poison.Yet, he’d finished half of it before he managed to pry his lips away.
The hunter smiled.“There.This will help settle you.The first one or two days are going to feel off.You won’t be able to sleep, and you’ll have lots of nervous energy to burn through.That’s normal.You can go outside too.Being turned by old blood helps with the sensitivity to sunlight.I’d still recommend sunglasses though.”
“You…you said I could shower?”
If this was a trick, if they were going to hurt him again, at least there was this.At least he could get clean.
Maxim nodded and turned, indicated a door at the opposite end of the room.“Through there.You should find towels and soap, whatever you need.”
Raven nodded.Maxim stood.“There’s a sitting room through there.I’ll give you some privacy.If you need anything, speak up, please.”
Raven licked his lips.His grip on the thermos tightened.“You said you’re a hunter?”
“I am.”
“You protect p-people?That’s the deal?”
“Simply put, yes.”
Raven knew what he wanted to ask.If this hunter was in on it, he could lie.He could be lying now.Laurenzio and Daniel could be in the next room, though this was a far cry from the apartment they’d held him in, full of books and dust, creaking floorboards and the smell of blood.
This might be a lie.Or a dream.I don’t know, but at least he hasn’t hurt me.
Afraid but determined, Raven met the black-dressed vampire’s eyes.“Is he dead?That…vampire.Is he dead?”
But he could tell.He knew the answer from the way the hunter’s face went tense all over again.Strangely, it was that darkening disappointment around the blond man’s eyes that settled it in Raven’s mind that this man was genuine, that he was what he said and not one of Laurenzio’s free thinkers.
“Not yet, Raven.”
Chapter 3
Ravendidn’tknowwhatto do, how to react to avoid giving himself away.He’s trying to make me think he’s a nice guy.Maybehe is anice guy, but what if I’m still not free?
“Laurenzio is alive?And Daniel?”Speak up,Raven thought, but his voice was a flame about to die.
“Yes.You won’t see either of them again.They’re each in a cell they cannot get out of.You’re safe here, Raven, on that I give you my word.”
“Your word…”
Each of them in a cell in prison.Raven understood the words but didn’t know how he should feel about the meaning.He’d heard of the swift justice among supernaturals, had heard that the hunters did most of that, but he’d never heard about a prison the Forum kept.But it made sense that they would.He could even see why they wouldn’t tell anyone about it.
