Page 21

CHAPTER 20

I can tell Tate hates relying on anyone. It’s in her attitude and refusal to ask us for help as she tracks down those who have been killed by whatever is haunting this city. I could find out easily enough, but I’m curious about her, and watching her is fun. Her mind is interesting. She thinks like a monster without even realising it.

She finds the hunting grounds easily enough, and after opening the gates, she pulls her gloves back on. “With me,” she mutters.

We all follow, mainly because I suspect this will end in bloodshed and death and what is better than that? Besides, I can play along with her for now if it gets me what I want.

I have no love for hunters or other monsters. They can all kill themselves off if they want, we do not care, but when my hunter is involved, so am I.

We move a few blocks south, and she stops before what looks to be a normal coffee shop, with plants hanging outside. Gold lettering in the window proudly declares Venom Café is open all day and night, but I can sense the monsters inside.

A monster shop?

Interesting. I suppose it makes sense, though it has been a long time since I was amongst the humans like this. They seem as oblivious as always.

Us fae tend to stick to our own courts in our realm, tired of their games and greed for our magic. We rely on traditions and pure blood, although the two courts war, but that is an issue for another time.

Uncaring that she even smells like a hunter, Tate heads straight for the door and pushes inside. A bell sounds, and every eye turns to her. The music stops, and people get to their feet, gawking at her. I step inside behind her, daring them with my eyes to make a move.

They share looks, and some hurry for the back door, no doubt sensing what and who she is. Terror fills the air alongside anger, but she doesn’t react to the hateful glares.

“There better be a good fucking reason for a hunter to be in my shop,” a loud voice barks.

“There is,” Tate replies, not the least bit scared of the ogre behind the counter glaring at her like he is going to rip her apart. With a smile, she heads past the counter and to the door next to it. “Follow me,” she orders and steps inside.

I follow happily, and once she heads into what looks to be a break room, we wait. The floor shakes as the ogre heads in and slams the door. “Gods dammit, Tate, my girl, you can’t be walking in like that and scaring all my customers! Do you know how bad it is for business to have a hunter in my shop?”

“Rude, I thought we were friends, Car,” she says with a smile, and the ogre huffs but smiles.

“Only in secret. Can’t be ruining my rep,” he says as he sits heavily in a chair that groans under his weight. “What brought you here? Haven’t seen you in almost a year. I have a feeling it isn’t anything good.”

“You hear and know everything. All types come in here. What do you know about the recent killings?”

“Eh, figured it was a hunter,” he admits. “It’s what they are saying, some hunter going rogue.”

“Not us,” she says. “We have intel it’s a monster.”

“Well, shit, monsters preying on other monsters now? What is the world coming to?” he mutters, leaning back. “The last one was a vamp, overheard it myself. There are some new big bad vamps around keeping order, and they are pissed, but they have their hands full elsewhere. I’d suggest getting someone on the inside and asking what they know about it.”

“I can do that.” She stands. “If you hear anything, let me know, okay?”

“Will do.” He stands. “Oh, and Tate? Catch the fucker doing this.”

“You’ve got it.”

We head out of the back door, and once in the alley, she leans against the wall and pulls out a phone, dialling someone.

I move closer, pressing my cheek to it, curious and nosy. Tem picks up her hair and starts playing with it, and she rolls her eyes as if that will help her.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my favourite huntress.” I hear the purring words, and curiosity fills me even more.

“What’s up, bloodsucker?” she replies, but she’s grinning, and they chuckle, which makes my eyebrows rise.

“Don’t try to sweet-talk me. You skipped our cheese night,” he grouses. “My mate wanted to meet you.”

“Sorry, Simon,” she says sadly. “Shit came up. Speaking of, I need your help.”

“Mine? Well, shit, can’t say I’d look as good in leather as you, but I can try.”

She smirks, even as she smacks Tem’s hand away. His pout makes her sigh, and when he drops to his knees, pressing his face into her stomach, she idly strokes his hair. I find my own hand snaking across her shoulder, and she turns her glare to me in warning.

“I’m sure your mate would like you in leather, but not what I meant. I heard there’s been some cross species killing in the city. Do you know anything?”

She turns away again, glancing around to check the perimeter, and I take my opportunity, licking her delicious neck. She slaps me, but I ignore her and push closer, tracing my tongue along her vein. I recall the way her blood tasted, and it has me groaning and rubbing against her side.

“I mean, I’ve heard some things. There have been some bodies that were fully drained. Everyone thought it was a vamp, but Al—the . . . my friend.” He coughs. “She’s . . . well, she’s kind of in charge now, and she didn’t think it was a vamp, not really, but she’s busy dealing with a rogue vamp herself. Why? Are you hunting whatever it is?”

“Yeah,” Tate answers, elbowing me, so I dig my teeth into her neck, making her hiss. She pulls a blade and rams it into my crotch in warning. I lean back, arching an eyebrow. Our eyes meet in a standoff.

“Everything okay? What’s that noise?” Simon asks.

“Just a giant mosquito,” she snarls, digging her dagger into my crotch. “You found your friend?”

“Yeah, Althea, you heard of the judges?” he whispers.

Tate frowns but nods. “A rumour. They are real?”

“Very much so. You’d get on. I’ll take you to meet her one day. As for what you’re hunting, there are some rumours, but I don’t know how true they are.”

“Anything could help,” Tate replies, narrowing her eyes on me as I dart my tongue out and lick my bottom lip, wanting her blood again.

She can glare all she wants, but we both know she enjoyed it.

Silly human constraints surround what pleasure means, and it seems she is sticking to them as she warns me with a glare. Pleasure is whatever you wish it to be. It can be beautifully painful, dangerous, or dark, and I know when Tate gives into what is between us, it will be magnificent. Until then, I will keep pushing her.

How cruel it must be to be born into an existence that’s so short and fleeting, where your greatest nemesis is time and yourself.

“Okay, well, most of the bodies were found near one area of the city, which led to most of the stories. There’s a rumour amongst the vamps and wolves that something is hiding in the reflecting pool. The wolves have been staying clear of Meadows Park just in case,” Simon offers. “But be careful. If it’s true, then this thing is dangerous.”

“You should warn the monster I’m just as dangerous,” she murmurs, her eyes locked on me, and something about that makes my cock harden as her eyebrow arches in challenge.

“True. After you’re done, come meet Althea. Like I said, I think you’ll get on well. Besides, she has something you might be able to help her with.”

“Well, now I’m intrigued. Okay, I’ll text you when I’m done. See you soon.” She hangs up, pressing the knife deeper. “Are you going to behave?”

“Never,” I admit freely, and she sighs, pulls the knife from my groin, and puts it away.

She relaxes back into the wall, still petting the tempest. Ronan floats before us, watching us with curiosity.

“Can you trust him?” Ronan asks. “He is a vamp, after all.”

“And you’re a ghost. What’s your point?” She smirks as she puts her phone away. “Yes, I can. I met him a while ago just after his change. He was searching for his friend and got into trouble. He’s a good kid. He wouldn’t lie to me.”

“I need to feed again,” I interrupt, finding I do not like it when her eyes are not on me. Her gaze snaps to me.

“Are you fucking with me?” she snarls.

“Unless you want me to go feral and unleash my pain on this world?” I shrug, a slow smile curling my lips.

“I need to be at full strength for this hunt,” she protests, her lips thinning.

Stepping closer, I press my finger to her chin and tip it up. She jerks her face from my hand, but I lean in, blowing my words across her lips. “Then let me feed on something else.”

“Like what?” she asks, her voice strong, but I sense the slight tremor underneath—fear and anticipation.

My hunter wants me, even if she won’t admit it to herself.

“Desire,” I whisper.

She glances at my lips, her unspoken words sliding through her eyes before they shutter, trying to shield herself from me. “No.” Her voice hits me like a dagger.

“Then I guess I’ll feed on death and pain in the city,” I drawl as I turn away.

“Fine!” She grabs the nape of my neck, tugging me back around. “If you feed from me, you won’t hurt any innocents?”

“Not tonight at least,” I answer truthfully. I didn’t plan to anyway, nor do I need to feed, but I want to feed from her.

Her lips thin further, and her nostrils flare in anger. She hates being cornered, but she still takes control, refusing to back down. “Ronan, Tem, take watch. Make sure nobody sees or sneaks up on us,” she barks out, and then she arches a brow at me. “You have five minutes. Can you make that work?”

“I can make five minutes feel like an eternity,” I promise seductively, and knowing that is her permission, I slam her into the wall. My hand glides down her front and slips into her trousers, cupping her cunt while I feed at her mouth. Our lips meet in a messy kiss, our eyes open and narrowed on each other.

Sliding my fingers through her warm, soft folds, I press two inside her. Her back arches as she lifts onto her toes to escape my invading touch, a gasp slipping free, and I drink it down in victory as I add a third finger, stretching her tight, wet heat. I felt her with my magic last time I fucked her, but I can’t wait to feel my cock sinking into her perfect cunt. I know if I try to fuck her now, she’ll gut me, so I don’t risk it. I take the scraps I am given, our tongues battling as I thumb her clit until her eyes shut on a cry. Her hands grip my shoulders, digging in like daggers, and my smile is smug as I lean back. She pants, leaning into the wall, her channel clenching around me as I keep up my quick pace. She’s close, but I don’t just want to feel it.

I want to taste it.

I want to taste the surrender on her skin.

I want this huntress vulnerable and weak for me. If I can’t have her pain and blood right now, then I’ll take that instead.

I do not kneel for anyone, however, not even for the paradise between her thighs. Instead, I hoist her up the wall and throw her legs over my shoulders as I use my magic to strip her of her trousers and panties. She’s bare before me, pink and glistening, her clit throbbing for my attention as she drips.

She jerks, her eyes narrowing as she glances down, and I press my mouth to her, licking up her desire with a hum.

“Three minutes,” she rasps.

“Keep counting, huntress. You’ll be screaming before you reach zero,” I promise as I thrust my tongue inside her, stretching it with my magic until it grows and touches her cervix. I curl it as she grinds into my face. Her muted noises of pleasure fill my ears, each one a victory. Her surrender is better than any battle I have ever won. I barely remember anything other than this little huntress now and the way her thighs tighten, trapping my face between her thighs as she rides me, using me for her pleasure.

“One minute,” she gasps. Wanting to stop her from talking, I bite down on her cunt. She cries out as her body locks up, and she comes. Her pleasure slides from her core and onto my waiting tongue, but I’m not happy with this. I want more. Thrusting my fingers back inside her cunt, I circle her hole with my tongue before lashing her clit as I hold her there with my magic, and then I slip my other fingers into her tight ass. It fights me, just like she does, but I force them inside until she’s riding all of me. Her cries grow louder, and just before her timer hits its mark, she screams again, coming all over me.

I drink every drop of it until I’m virtually dizzy.

Sliding her down my body, I dress her again so she won’t stab me, then I kiss her once more, forcing her to taste her pleasure.

When she rips away, her face is flushed, but her lips are thin in annoyance.

“A deal’s a deal. You will not hurt anyone tonight.”

“I wouldn’t have anyway,” I admit. “I just wanted to taste your pretty pussy.” I step back, letting her feet hit the cement once more as I suck on my fingers.

She gapes at me, and between one second and the next, she’s flying at me with a dagger. I can’t help but chuckle as I catch it and spin her so she’s trapped in my arms.

“If you want to play again, all you have to do is ask,” I whisper, “but you have a hunt, don’t you?” Smacking her hip, I let her go and duck under her swing. “We can stay here all night with you trying to kill me. It’s turning me on and will only end with you impaled on my cock, but then you won’t be able to hunt. Your choice, Tate.”

Her chest heaves as she debates what she wants more. Sparing me one last disgusted look, she puts her dagger away and turns, marching back into the street, ignoring my dark chuckle that chases her.