Page 10 of Haunting the Hunter

That wasn’t my first kill, and it won’t be my last. But something about it won’t leave me alone. There were no bugs, no tails, and no loose ends. I checked. But that dream…

That fucking dream.

Goose bumps crawl up my arms and neck, and I grip the wheel, letting myself sit in discomfort for a moment. The cheap leather of the Ford’s seat cracks. That same feeling of being seen, of being touched, of something slipping past every defense I’ve ever built.

I fucking hate it.

I speed up, my jaw clenched—the road winding through the trees like it always has. I know every curve, but today it feels different.

I pull into the driveway and kill the engine. Home sweet home. A two-story scenic modern fortress, tucked away in the mountains of Washington. The perfect place to keep Calli hidden. Personally, I would have moved to a place like this regardless. I prefer my solitude. I hop out of the truck and see that Jack is waiting for me on the front step.

“She’s waiting for you,” he says, voice flat, but there’s something under it, a tightness in his tanned skin. His shoulders are set, eyes sharp, concerned. I don’t fucking like it.

“Where is she?” It comes out sharper than I mean, but he doesn’t flinch at my tone. We’ve been friends long enough to know that just because I’m an unfeeling asshole to the rest of the world, it doesn’t mean I don’t give a shit about him.

“Balcony. But listen…”

I stop and turn. She’s in for an earful. Calling constantly when I’m on a mission could have put her at risk, or me. What if I fucking lost my phone? The wrong person could have caught wind of her.

“She’s been off, man. Jumpy—and not her typical Calli-weird. It’s like she’s paranoid.”

The back of my neck tightens, and I knead the tension that seems to always be there, growing each day. I narrow my eyes at him, not because he deserves it, but because I’m an asshole. What can I say?

“She has every reason to be scared. She’s not safe until everyone in the Covenant is dead.”

Jack gives me a more serious look. “Nah, man, this isn’t about them.”What?He nods his head, defeated, tired. “Just go talk to her. I’ll be in the office when you’re done.”

I nod and walk past him.

The house feels hollow, my boots echoing on the stairs as I climb. I don’t knock. I never do. She’s out on the balcony, book in hand, feet up. The moment I open the door, though, she startles, dropping the book.

“Dammit… I lost my page.” She sighs, picking up the book and setting it down as she walks straight into a hug. Her arms around me feel smaller than I remember.

“What happened? How are you?” Brown eyes and heart-shaped face, already scanning me with worry.Just put a smile on, reassure her, Cade. That’s all she needs.

“I should be asking you. Jack says you’re being weirder than usual.”

“Fuck you. I’m serious, Cade.”

And my smile drops. It was wishful thinking that this reunion would be pleasant. “You don’t need to know shit. Stop asking questions. I’ll tell you what you need to know.”

She stiffens in my arms and then moves to sit again, hugging her book to her chest.

“Sorry,” she says quietly. “I just… I had a dream… a bad one.”

I sit across from her, my eyes on her face.

“Like I was being watched,” she continues. “Not like paranoia, or anxiety, but like something was in the room with me.”

I freeze.

“And it didn’t feel wrong, not at first. It felt familiar, but it was horrifying.”

The air in my lungs tightens but I keep my face still, not giving anything away.

“I swear I saw something, Cade. Something is here with us.”

There it is… More talk of ghosts and magic. I lean back.