“Name your price, hunter.”
“You know, I expected you to know my name by now.”
“I know your name. You simply haven’t earned the right for me to use it, Zachary Danti.” The mention of his full government name makes him scowl in disdain, all pretense dropping like stone.
“I want you to take me to where you’re hiding Kallie.”
I don’t even hesitate, don’t wait to consider, I already knew that’s what his demands would be.
He’s a nuisance.
An irritating, stubborn, occasionally useful nuisance.
“Done.”
His scowl deepens, his one dark eye narrowing to a slit, but he doesn’t question my quick response.
“The message says: The flower is mine.”
Surprise, then fear—a cold spike through the chest. I curse myself. I was lured away again, and this time, I’m out of range. I can’t reach Alek.
Mindspeak is useful… but limited.
And I left my phone behind—a novice error, a fatal one.
“Give me your phone,” I demand, already speeding out of the building and back onto the street.
He doesn’t miss a step and follows me, pace for pace.
Guild magic is efficient. I’ll give him that.
But he doesn’t reach for it like I expect him to.
My command would make a lesser man obey, but the hunter is immune to threats.
Good for him, but this is no time for posturing.
“Where the hell are we going? And why the sudden hurry?”
I pick up the pace, and the hunter falls temporarily behind before catching back up.
I’d be impressed if a cold dread wasn’t tightening its fist around my dead heart.
“He’s going to take Kallie.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
I SEE SAUCY RED
The light is a physical blow, pinning me down. Every detail screams for attention—the individual threads in the blanket, the grain of the dark wood headboard, the faint swirl in the plaster ceiling.
It’s too much.
A pounding starts in my head, but it’s not a headache. It’s a deep, throbbing ache that sinks into my jaw, my gums, while my stomach twists on itself, a gnawing void.
I’m thirsty.
I’m hungry.
