Page 94 of Haunting the Hunter

“Yeah,” he says, his voice soft as he eyes me, watching me put the pieces together. “Something like that, pretty boy. Now it’s your turn to answer a question.” He turns to look at Frank, who is behind him. “Hey, Frankie, go get me the thing.”

Frank gives a single nod, then turns and walks out without a word.

I wait for the door to slam shut before I speak, my voice steady. “I take it you have a deal with Rosa to save the girl?”

He lets out a short, humorless laugh, shaking his head… then slams an uppercut into my jaw.

My teeth clack and my ears ring, the taste of blood filling my mouth.

“Shut the fuck up.” He sneers, shaking a finger in my face like he’s teaching a lesson. “But yeah—something like that. Rosa’s word is bullshit, though; I don’t trust that cunt.”

“Why… the f-fuck do you care…” I spit, my jaw numb and slack, blood dripping down my chin.

“Oh, I’m sure you put it together—smart guy like you.” He rolls his eyes at me.

“Y-you’re desperate,” I mutter, head still spinning from the hit. “You love her.”

“Bingo.” He sighs, like just hearing the words pains him. “So I’ma need you to work with me and stay alive like the stubborn bastard you are.”

Frank returns, silent as ever, and stops beside Benjamin. In his hand is a thick, worn book—leather-bound. It looks older than any of us combined.

Ben takes it, his smirk returning like a mask.

“Appreciate it, Frankie,” he says, clapping the other man on the back.

Frank doesn’t respond. Doesn’t even blink. He just steps back against the wall—his silence louder than anything Ben could say.

Ben turns back to face me, cradling the book like it’s sacred.

“Now, this part—this is where things get interesting.”

He crosses to Genevieve and hands it to her carefully, brushing his fingers against hers with a softness that doesn’t match the energy in the room.

“Go ahead, sweetheart. Just like we practiced.” He speaks to her gently, eyes on hers.

She nods. Her voice is barely audible as she opens the book and begins to chant.

“Wha… what is she doing…” I manage to rasp as the air shifts—dense and pressing, like the walls are caving in.

“Tell me where your little sister is, or my girl here’s gonna put you in the worst pain you can imagine. Trust that,” he says, tone hardening, his eyes locking on my face.

A pressure tightens around my ribs, my pulse skipping.

That panic swirling around me—it’s not mine.

It’syours.

You’re scared for me.

Fuck—I need you steady, little ghost. I’m not going anywhere.

“Fuck you,” I say, spitting blood onto the floor at the witch—just to feel like I have control over something.

She glances at Ben, her brows twitching—concern hidden behind a mask of duty.

“Yeah,” Ben sighs, shaking his head. “That’s what I thought. Go ahead, baby girl. Do it.”

The lights flicker.