Page 33 of Haunting the Hunter

Maybe he’s changing, I think. Maybe the pendulum is changing him for the better. I sit up and scoop Karma into my lap, caressing her soft fur. “What do you think of our shadow? He almost seems to have a soft spot for you.” She just nuzzles in closer, purring. It’s cute. Maybe I am overthinking everything. Maybe Cade is right—I just need to relax. I see what I want to see. But if that’s true, I could just try to ignore it.

So that’s what I’ll do.

I stare up at the ceiling, attempting to manifest calm, cool, centered.

I think back to the restaurant and arcade. It felt so nice to justbeearlier today, and I want to feel that again. I am twenty-one, after all, and grew up in a safe house. I’ve never properly gone out, cut loose, or even went to a bar.

Now that’s a thought.

Jack always talks about the bars around here. I wonder if I could push my luck and ask him to go out tonight. Checking the clock, it reads 10:00 p.m. That’s plenty of time to throw on something nice and go out for the night. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind—it’s the perfect opportunity for him to get out too…

Jolting out of bed, I’m careful to move Karma back onto the pillow, giving her one last pet. “Be a good girl for me… Yeah?” I smile to myself. “I’ve got to find something to wear.” Giddy at the thought, I picture the outfit clearly in my mind: a shimmering purple dress that hugs my curves, backless and stopping mid-thigh, the thin straps crossing my shoulder blades, and my favorite strappy heels. I look over to the cabinet where I hid the grimoire… Remembering the demon I saw in the pages, golden eyes that entrance me and leave me shivering—much like my shadow does.

Out on the porch, Jack’s smoking. I drop down beside him.

“I wanna go to a bar.”

He quirks a brow, brushing hair from his face. “Taking more advantage of your newfound freedom already?”

I smile, and he laughs. “Fair. But don’t tell Cade I let you, or I’ll be next on his list.”

“Can we go tonight?”

He crushes the cigarette under his boot. “Why not? Go get dressed up for me, k?”

I roll my eyes but keep smiling, jumping up to get ready.

The bar looks ancient but packed, cars crowding the lot. Pop music thumps from the open deck, and people laugh with drinks in hand.

My face must say it all.

“You’re the one who wanted to come,” Jack reminds me, laughing.

He comes around to the passenger side and opens the door with a theatrical bow. “Milady.”

I step down awkwardly, heels sinking into the gravel. He offers his arm, and I take it—more for balance than because of his charm.

Inside is chaos—bodies everywhere. The place is packed. The bartender moves like he’s casting spells. Jack leads me toward an empty pool table in the back.

“I’ll get the drinks,” he says, then disappears into the crowd.

I grab a cue, needing something to do with my hands. I glance back and of course he’s already surrounded by women.

Typical.

I can’t hear them, but I know that look. They’re flirting hard and he’s lapping it up. Great. I roll my eyes and turn to the table, setting up a fresh game.

Jack’s a walking wet dream. Blond, broad, blue-eyed—but he flirts with anything that breathes or blinks at him. It’s honestly exhausting.

Still, he brings the drinks and keeps the good vibes coming. An hour passes—maybe more, and between a few rounds of pool and a few too many drinks, I’m definitely tipsy. And surprisingly? I’m having fun.

When “Go Fuck Yourself” by Two Feet comes on, I lose it a little. Singing way too loud, hips swaying to the bass as I demand another round from Jack. I rack the table again, still dancing. The music crawls down my spine and I let it, needing this moment.

“Wanna play?” A stranger’s voice asks behind me.

I keep my back turned, tone casual.

“Just waiting for my friend.” I nod toward Jack, who’s now laying it on thick with the bartender.