Page 171 of Huntress

“I–I’m sorry, Captain, I didn’t–” Grady sighed and hung his head. “I thought that if there was any chance a bond would form between us, it would make you forget that fucking demon, and our squad could go back to normal.”

“You wanted a mating bond?!” Elsie swung her fist before thinking about why she shouldn’t. Blood spurted from his nose, and the geographer coughed, doubling over to spit more blood into the dirt.

“If you ever touch me again–”

Elsie’s blood heated so fast she set her palms on the ground to steady herself. A vein pulsed in her temple, and her body shook with the influence of Saint’s contained fury. She concentrated on her breathing while using every ounce of strength to keep her demon from storming over.

“Grady, walk away before I fucking stab you.” She kept her voice low, but the killing intent behind her words filled the air.

“It wasn’t random, I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I have feelings for you, Elsie. I have for years,” he said, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. “But I guess it’s one-sided.”

Elsie burst out with a cold, incredulous laugh. Her entire body shook with the effort it took to keep herself from attacking him.

“Do you think your feelings are more important than my consent? If a bond had formed, you’d have paid for it with your life.” Elsie turned her head toward him, translucent shadows swirling around her. She pulled a dagger, her pale eyes lit with inner rage.

“I’m sorry! Gods, please don’t kill me.” Grady pushed himself back across the ground, putting distance between himself and his captain. A growl reached them from the trees, and he glanced up to spot Saint’s glowing red eyes watching from the dark woods. The geographer fumbled for another second before getting up and stumbling away. He unzipped his tent and disappeared inside.

“Trenton!” she bellowed.

Her second-in-command may be angry with her, but he responded to the urgency in her voice. He appeared in seconds, weapon in hand. “What is it?”

“Grady just assaulted me.”

“What?” Confusion clouded his features, wrinkles creasing his forehead. He looked at her, pale, shaken, and angry, and his eyes hardened. “What happened?”

“He kissed me. I think I broke his nose.”

“Son of a bitch. I’ll arrest and whip him myself.” His knuckles turned white. “Are you okay?”

“No, but I will be.” She hadn’t yet sheathed her dagger. “Just keep him away from me until we get back. We’ll address his punishment back at the compound.”

“Don’t go soft on him, Captain.”

Elsie’s eyes narrowed. “I have no intention of it. Grady will pay for his crime.”

“Do you want me to send Marley?

“No. Have her fix his face. Not that he fucking deserves it.”

“Understood.” The look on Trenton’s face bordered on pity before he turned and strode away. The assassin entered Grady’s canvas tent, and she winced when she heard Trenton’s fist hit flesh.

She wiped her mouth, then looked to the trees where her demon waited, pacing impatiently. Elsie lurched to her feet, meeting Saint halfway. The demon’s jaw flexed, his muscles taut, but his eyes stayed riveted on her. He touched her face, and she rose onto her toes, throwing her arms around his shoulders. Nuzzling her face against his neck, she let out a single, bone-racking sob.

“Grady knew exactly what he was doing, he waited until he thought I was alone,” she cried softly.

“It didn’t work. You’re safe,” Saint whispered against her hair. “No more meetings without me.”

“Gods, I wanted to kill him. I’ve never wanted to hurt anyone from my squad, but I wanted him dead.”

“You would have been justified. He’s a lucky bastard that you restrained yourself.”

Elsie snuggled in close and leaned on him. Depending on Saint felt natural and easy after spending so much time with him in that forest. A dangerous habit she had to correct before Albright’s prediction came true.

The demon glanced toward the tents and stepped in front of her as one of the canvas flaps opened. Elsie roughly swiped her tears away, then looked over her shoulder at Riven sneaking out to join them.

“We eavesdropped on your meeting with Trenton, and heard what came after,” the mage whispered. She caught Elsie’s eye, her lips drawing into a frown. Sweeping forward, she grasped the captain in a tight hug.

“I have a spell to shrivel his dick to the size of a peanut.”