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Equipping the usual assortment of enemy-conquering weapons and accessories, I took a moment to admire the Hunter silhouette I struck in the only reflective surface inside this hellbox I’d called home for a couple of weeks.

My naturally wavy red hair was pulled up into a neat ponytail, which sported several intricate braids, giving a totally unobstructed view of my freckled face. My hazel eyes glistened in a way completely unnatural for a human, and I idly wondered what they looked like when I was in the midst of a fight.

Did they really turn red?

Suddenly, Phillip’s much larger frame outlined mine. His mesmerizing azure stare captured my gaze in the mirror.

The Hunter’s luscious dark hair was gelled back away from his eyes, which were lined with dark black eyeliner. The usual piercings were in place, as was the accessories he used against an assortment of foes. He’d worn the usual jacket, probably jam-packed with all his favorite knick-knacks; inventions that overpowered some of the strongest enemies we could face.

That was Phil’s greatest power, cleverness.

I absently traced the lines of my gorgeous partner’s tattoos with my gaze, starting just under his strong jaw and spreading out over every visible expanse of flesh before disappearing under a thin, black tank top.

Before I realized what was happening, Phillip had a hand around my throat. It was neither aggressive nor threatening, merely demanded I listen carefully. His bedroom eyes glimmered before he bent and hovered his mouth close to my ear. “Trust no one,” was all he uttered, his other hand locking on my hip. “Especially not Cash.”

Swallowing, I nodded. “I got it.”

Dropping a kiss on my neck, Phillip let loose a breath. “I mean it, V. Eros is tracking our steps and has very likely gotten to Cash and a long list of others if my gut is right—and it’s rarely wrong.”

Surprised to hear it, I gawked openly. “Then why keep that asshole close?”

“Because it’s time to face off with that Dark Fae bastard on our terms. It’s time to end this little game he’s playing,” Phillip growled, eyeing me in our reflection. “I think you’re ready. But if you aren’t, now’s the time to say so.”

I almost couldn’t believe it at first. Phillip finally trusted me. I mean, truly trusted my abilities and regarded me like the Hunter I’d become. Words couldn’t express how amazing it felt to be finally seen for who and what I was. Not someone in need of protection, but the weapon I’d been trained to be. Someone who was capable of tearing down an entire operation of Hunters bent on killing me.

Fist clenched and heart in my throat, I nearly stumbled over the words I wanted to say. “I-I am! I really am. The bastard needs to be taken down, and he’ll be a good test of my new control.” Turning around and looking the Austrian in the eyes, I offered him my most confident smile. “The two of us are a force to be reckoned with, and I don’t think that sly asshole stands a chance,” I added emphatically.

The other Hunter cradled my chin and smirked in a way that always hit me right in the hips. “You’re right. We are, mein Schatz. And he’ll think he’s the one catching us on the run, but I have a plan that will trap the bastard long enough to put an end to this little dance of death. Do you trust me?”

Always. With every part of me. With my life.

Letting loose a shuddering breath, I nodded. “I do.”

“Then I want you to do what you do best,” Phillip started, a devious glint in his pale blue eyes, “Use that adorable innocence everyone underestimates to convince Cash you want to go to the Fae realm and mean ol’ Phillip won’t let you.”

Confused, I tilted my head.

Phillip’s tattooed hands slipped into my hair and he bent down, ghosting his soft lips over mine. The sudden spark of pleasure nearly distracted me away from what we were talking about, but Phillip quickly spoke up and got us back on topic. “If I’m right about Eros, then he’s using Cash to get close to us. Cash will want to get you alone, out of my protection. And that’s what you’ll do, lass. You’ll follow him right into Eros’s trap. But it’ll be a trap inside a trap, yeah?”

What a clever bastard this man was.

“The old switch-a-roo,” I commented, laughing. “So, you’re trusting me to go up against both if things go pear-shaped?”

Phillip’s eyes dropped to my lips, and I could tell he wanted to kiss me. I waited for it, but the Austrian spoke again instead. “You’ll have Blood Slayer. It won’t go awry. I won’t let it. This will work.”

Usually, his confidence made me roll my eyes and toss something sassy at him, but today it was just what the situation called for. Still, I was nothing if not consistent about my teenage sassiness.

My lips lifted into a sly grin. “You just want me to touch your sword.”

Phillip’s eyes danced with amusement and his jaw worked, clearly fighting the urge to outright cackle. “Maybe just a little bit.”

Licking my lips, I eyed the sword strapped to his back. “Thank you for trusting me,” I said to the other Hunter’s visible surprise.

Then his hand locked around my neck and the Austrian kissed me so hard I didn’t breathe at all for several minutes, tongue caught up with his in a sensual dance.

Forehead pressing against mine after kissing me silent, Phillip’s jaw strained and his eyes closed tightly. “No. If anyone should be saying thank you, it’s me, V. You didn’t have to give me another chance. Fuck knows I don’t deserve it…or you. But I’ll make damn sure you know it wasn’t wasted.” His eyes opened, beaming in the lights from above. “You’re my partner. And fuck all if it makes me sound like a proper simp by saying so, but you’re a hundred times the Hunter I’ll ever be.”

A simp!