Page 12

Hunter shook his head. “They attacked me when I was facing the tent, but then again, most of the shifters and vampires who transitioned wouldn’t recognize the face of their attacker. Ara, Liv, Seth, Frost, and Noah were all turned by their mate. Well, Noah was first bitten by Drew, Jade’s brother, and to prevent him from dying because his venom didn’t take, Jade bit him again. He pulled through because of Jade’s quick thinking.”

“Did they experience the pain of the transition like you had?”

“Yeah. Three days of torture for their mates. Since you don’t remember, they describe it as having the worst flu symptoms imaginable. Bones ache accompanied by a high fever controlled by cold, damp towels. The pain explodes throughout, even from a light brush against their skin. But being near their mates helped as they kept their skin cool with wet towels and cold baths.”

Neri shivered and her eyes became hard. “Why would they go through with it if it hurts so much?”

“Immortals, while we live forever, have found it rare to find their mates. If they are lucky enough to recognize their mate and commit, the one destined for them has been human. Frost was the exception; born half shifter and half human. To stay together, they will go through whatever pain they need to to be with the one person meant for them.” Hunter believed his words, now he found his mate.

“How do you know? I’m not human, but an immortal and a hybrid at that. You and every other immortal understands my venom is deadly to you. I think… well you made a mistake.”

Hunter shook his head. “I felt you before I spotted you in the trees. My body, well, my panther recognized you and every instinct inside me screamed ‘she’s mine.’ But there one true way we can tell.”

He watched Neri during his explanation and noted her silver eyes were wide and her pulse sped up, leaning forward to absorb his words. Hunter looked into her eyes and without hesitation, spoke to her.

Like this.

Her brows drew down in confusion. “What, you said like this, I don’t—” Neri’s eyes widened and she sucked in a breath. “In my head, you spoke in my head.”

Immortals canlearnto mind link with others who aren’t their mates. But it takes a lot of effort and training. I can mind link to the other assassins because we’ve been working together for decades. But with mates, human and as it seems immortal alike, communication is easy.

Neri glanced down at the glass in her hand, the ice leaving condensation as the drink sat untouched as they spoke. She ran one finger down the beads until the moisture pooled on the table. She glanced up and captured his gaze in her own.

Can you… hear me?

Hunter nodded. “Yes, as clear as day.”

Fucking cool!She beamed at him.

He laughed at her enthusiasm and hoped it would translate into her trusting him. But as her eyes moved from his and onto his black tactical gear, he knew she remembered back to when he should have rescued her.

“Why are you dressed like that?” Her head nodded toward his chest, but her hands never left the glass she clutched onto.

Unable to stay away, he reached for her hands, holding his palms up on the table and was almost surprised when she moved them into his. He loved how her cool skin, still the same temperature after several minutes of him warming her hands, pressed into his overheated ones.

“The other man with the shock white hair who didn’t speak today, he’s a white wolf shifter named Ghost. He founded Dark Company in 1920. We, those who Ghost employ, are all immortals and we’re hired assassins under government contract.”

Hunter didn’t let go of her as he searched her face for her reaction. She swallowed, uncomfortable by this news, but she didn’t run away. He wanted to rush in and explain, but he waited for Neri to think over the implications before he answered questions she may have in her own time. One good sign was she didn’t pull away, but she dropped her head. He knew her a little by now to realize she did that when she thought things through.

“Were all of you, the assassins, there when I woke?”

“Not all of my family are assassins. Liv works in her lab, trying to figure out how immortality differs so much from human DNA and how it’s even possible. She is also trying to figure out how Ara has enhanced telekinesis and healing powers, both of which she had when she was human but increased tenfold since her transition.”

Hunter paused when Neri’s brows bunched. When gave him a small nod of acceptance, he continued.

“Since Frost is half shifter and half human, Liv is researching the probabilities of the occurrence and after Frost transitioned to full shifter, how pregnancy became a viable option when no other immortal can conceive. I’m surprised she didn’t rush down to her lab to grab a syringe and draw your blood outside today. She’s brilliant, but her need to research how you’ve become a half shifter and half vampire will consume her.”

“Is that healthy?” Neri asked.

Hunter shook his head. “But Kai is there to remind her there’s more to life than work.”

“So…Frost isn’t an assassin?”

“Frost was never interested in becoming one either. She takes care of Silas, her son, who seems to grow in power every day. He’ll want to meet you. He’s curious about the world and has powers of his own. You’ll see when you’re introduced. And Seth and Aubrey aren’t assassins. They are working to figure out what they want to do by taking college courses and spending time with one another.”

Hunter took a breath for Neri to process all of this information.

“Reaper’s mate, Ara, and Jade’s mate, Noah, became assassins to work with their mates and keep them safe.”