“I know that!” I screamed, suddenly feeling defensive. “I’ve read theHunter Scripturesmore than you have!”
She recoiled as if she’d been slapped and I softened my tone. “He’s different, okay? He saved my life. What kind of evil demon does that?”
Liv chewed her lip. “Maybe you’re right. Just … be careful, okay? I don’t like this.”
I nodded, stepping up to pull my bestie into a hug. “I’m so glad I have you to talk to about this. I feel like I’m going crazy.”
“You are,” she said flatly and then chuckled. “But I’ve got your back and I think youarefollowing the moral code of conduct … for now. He saved your life and that’s good … until it isn’t. His true colors will show and then we will take him down together. Okay?”
Her surety that Luka was evil and would someday turn on me made me sick to my stomach. Was I totally being brainwashed and deceived? He’d said he hadn’t used compulsion on me, but that could be a lie.
Those thoughts spun around my head until Sterling knocked on my door, prepared to accompany me to the Hunters’ Gala.
Why was he wearing the powder blue shirt that he knew I loved? Why was he sneaking casual glances at my lips when I wasn’t talking? Most importantly, why did the universe hate me!?
* * *
It wasa five-hour drive to Portland, six with traffic. Maz sat up front with Finneas while Sterling and I sat in the back row. Two more SUVs full of security trailed behind us. I was still tripped up on Maz’s comment that someone in the hunter force was “in bed” with the vampires. What did that mean exactly? And why was she worried about being attacked herself? Traffic downtown was bad, but we finally reached our hotel just before dinner.
The second the driver put the car in park, Sterling jumped out and ran over to my door to open it. Finneas did the same for Maz, handing the key to the valet.
I rolled my eyes at Sterling. “I can get my door, thanks,” I told him curtly.
He tapped his chest with pride. “Head of security.”
I snort-laughed, touching the pin at the top of my boot. “Senior hunter.”
He growled low in his throat. “I missed your fiery personality.”
A pang of sadness twisted my gut and I trudged up the steps to where Maz and Finn were waiting. If Sterling and I were broken up, then why did it feel like we had unfinished business? Some random passersby looked at Maz’s modest priestess robe with raised eyebrows. It was very similar to a nun’s habit and only worn by God’s most beloved and chosen in our society.
“Come, Aspen, I think we should check in and then read the scriptures before dinner.”
I nodded, jogging to her side. “Yes, Maz.”
Just before we stepped inside, my eyes flicked down the street in the direction of the Duniway Hotel. Knowing Luka was so close unnerved me. I’d skip his feeding tonight and then slip my security detail tomorrow morning and feed him before anyone was even awake.
Chapter Seven
When I awokethe next morning, I felt like I was walking on a cloud. Even though I was having some of the feeding withdrawal symptoms through Luka, nothing could spoil this day for me, because last night at the Hunters’ Welcome Dinner, Ruby freaking Thorn sat next to me.
Ruby was a legend from the House of Thorns. The Thorns were known for being … more liberal in their beliefs. They still thought vampires were evil but they didn’t follow the extreme rules we did and they didn’t read theHunter Scriptures. Ruby was the lead hunter of the society in Spokane for the Thorns, and had the highest kill record on file, even beating Maz.
Me:And she touched my arm when she was grabbing her dinner roll!
I texted to Liv.
Liv:Blah blah stop bragging!
I grinned, sitting up and rubbing my face. It was 6 a.m., but I wanted to get over to Luka’s before anyone noticed I was gone. Brushing my teeth quickly, I threw my hair up in a topknot and grabbed myHunter Scriptures. In the off chance I saw anyone on my way out, I would tell them I was going for a prayer walk. Walking around the city and praying that it be rid of demons so that God could bless it was common in our beliefs. No one would question it.
Slipping into my boots, I opened the door to my hotel room and stepped outside, coming face to face with Maz.
I nearly screamed, only able to swallow the sound at the last minute.
“Maz!” I clutched my chest.
She looked startled as well,Hunter Scripturesin hand and fully dressed in cream priestess robes.
