Page 113 of Hunger & Harmony

He zips past me without acknowledgment, and my stomach drops. There’s shouting from his headset. Frantic, and not in the “start of the show” way.

Wait. That’s not from his headset.

I run before I fully register it. Heart pounding and clutching the box, I hurry to the curtain again, following the commotion. The screams.

“Niklaus!” I shout, stumbling to a halt right before I enter the stage.

Taking it all in, it doesn’t seem real. The audience is in chaos, fans sobbing and cowering in the stands, with cameramen torn between hiding and recording. Archduchess Imara is held by two men and a blade; those holding her are dressed in distinctive brown coats. The weapon doesn’t glint—it’s wood pressing to her neck.

At the center of it all, Arteria faces off against five men in similar regalia. I've seen this uniform before.

Hunters.

Another scream lodges in my throat. Niko’s eyes flick towards me, and I fight my legs trying to run towards him. I will our bond to allow me access to him, but it’s too assured. All I can do is watch.

There’s more than those initial Hunters. Dozens line the auditorium, bullets, arrows, and more sharpened stakes waiting and ready.

An attack before the show started. How is this possible? My knees nearly give out. They have the clear advantage.

“Where is your queen, Leech King?”

One of the Hunters closest to Niko taunts him, drawing closer with his gun pointed. Selene bares her fangs at the lanky man, but Niko lifts a hand to halt her.

“What importance is a human to you?” he asks, tone measured. “Bring no harm to her or others. Your target is me.”

My heart can’t beat any faster.

“She’s no target of ours,” the man continues, lips curling on a vicious smirk as his eyes drag towards me. “I wanted to thank her, is all.”

Eyes widening in horror, I stumble a step back. All at once, I see Niko’s confusion, Ezren’s fear, Selene’s worry, and Ryel’s anger. It all zeroes in on me, and I’m breathless as the Hunter nods to me.

“You brought it, didn’t you? The symbol of your loyalty?”

Drawing a shaky breath, I glance down at the only thing in my blanched fingers. The box. Plain, metal, and nondescript. My throat runs dry as the man chuckles.

“Yes, there it is!” He gestures for me to approach. “Don’t keep me waiting, come on. It’s me, Silas. Your good friend.”

I shake my head. More than that, I throw the box like it’s on fire, shaking so hard I can’t form a single word.

Clambering onto the stage, it breaks open, the box sliding away from what was inside. I tense up, fearing an explosion or a weapon.

Nothing like that happens. Instead, only a small, brown leaf gently floats in the opposite direction, gliding to Silas himself before it rests against the black floor. I don’t recognize it.

Ezren does.

“Samara . . .”

“An ash tree seed, yes, very good!” Silas continues his taunting as my blood runs cold. “What better symbol for the Order than an ash tree’s samara?”

I’m unraveling as the Hunters all join in his laughter. Arteria stares at me. The entire room does, including the cameras.

“No, she . . .” I whisper.

Lorelai. She gave me this. Did she fall victim to Hunters’ tricks? Or is . . .she . . .?

“It’s not me,” I say, raising my voice. “I’m not a traitor!”

Each vampire and member of the Court watches me as I rush to find my words. Is there any undoing this damage? This sabotage? Niko’s love, Selene and Ezren’s trust . . .