Page 57

“Or maybe you two studs could go off together and I’ll just hang out with the new Hunters,” I suggested, completely over their childishness.

Sloan’s mouth quirked upwards. “That suits me just fine.” His captivating eyes settled on me with interest. “Something tells me you’re nothing but entertaining.”

Brow knitting together, I scoffed. “Not sure how to take that one, Sloan.”

His laughter was ridiculously adorable. “I promise it’s meant only as a compliment, V.”

Kris shook her head, definitely not convinced. “That said, we’d happily take you along. I’m eager to get to know the infamous granddaughter of Rose.”

“Grams is a beast, but I’m only like...half beast.”

Nigel harrumphed, hiding a smile behind his fist. “If that’s how you feel, I’m a little worried about how little self-awareness you have.”

“Shut it,” I clipped, irritated.

Sloan crossed sinewy arms over his chest, one perfectly arched eyebrow raised. “I don’t believe for a second you’re not all beast,” was all he said, voice a deep growl. “I have a feeling you are in more ways than one.”

Hottie alert.

Uncomfortable with being the center of attention, I moistened my lips and dropped my gaze to the floor. “I’m still learning.”

Sloan chuckled lightly. “I can teach you a few things if you’d like.”

If I didn’t know better, I’d almost think the Elf-like Hunter was hitting on me, and I seriously couldn’t deal.

Guys as hot as Sloan didn’t exist at my school, outside of Nigel and Phil. I still didn’t manage full sentences when they chose to use their gorgeous charms on me. I hated how much of a blubbering mess I turned into around them, but I didn’t make it a habit of talking to dudes who literally looked like they should be on the cover of a fashion magazine.

To be fair, girls just as hot did things to my tongue that made it impossible to sound clever or cute. It was the entire reason Cici won every time she said anything rude to me.

Not only was it a bad idea to make waves at school, but the girl was attractive to the nth degree. She knew it. I knew it. We didn’t pretend it wasn’t a thing. But her heart was one of the ugliest I’d ever seen. It was better to just let her live out her teenage dream of bad bitch at school before we all went our separate ways and I didn’t have to deal with her anymore.

I opened and closed my mouth, failing to say anything when Sloan’s stunning smile was an instant K.O.

Phillip scowled and readjusted his sword. “I need to stay with you, V. Can’t exactly train you if I’m not there.”

He wasn’t wrong, and I grumbled because I didn’t want to admit it made sense. My abilities weren’t really ones the other Hunters could train easily, and no matter how much it appealed to me to get away for a minute, I couldn’t find a good reason to argue with the Austrian.

“Then we’ll stay the three, and Sloan and Kris can go check out the other spot you mentioned. Come on, we’re losing daylight bickering over who goes where,” I said, sighing.

Kris cradled her jaw thoughtfully. “I like her, Phil. She’s already used to your crap and doesn’t let you play king. She’ll be a good partner.”

Phillip tossed the other Hunter an annoyed look. “No one asked for your opinion, Kris.”

She shrugged with her mouth swept up in amusement. “And yet, you got it.”

Yeah, I definitely liked her.

*

STOMPING THROUGH HIGHgrass, the three of us walked a path around a nearby mountain range, where caves and waterfalls were known to be. Not many could hike the area because of its steep incline and treacherous path, but it wasn’t anything for us who ran faster and could navigate any dangerous shift in the ground.

It took me a little while to feel confident about launching across spaces no human or animal could overcome, but I’d done it a few times with Phil after he activated my blood. He said over time I could ascertain spaces I’d be able to loft across. And because I was supposedly stronger, ones he couldn’t manage I may be able to jump over eventually.

I focused on sharpening my senses to feel and smell anything out of the ordinary, though I wasn’t exactly sure how magic would feel or smell. It had already been several hours, and still nothing. The other two groups hadn’t found anything at the other two locations either.

Phillip was several feet ahead, gaze following the mountain ridge. Nigel stayed directly beside me the entire hike up the hill, keeping pace.

And as we climbed, my thoughts strayed a time or two to the several new people I met. Back to the uncharacteristic discomfort when it was evident Phillip and Kris had history. Back to the conversation with Topher and Tiff about my abrupt break-up with Nigel.