Page 57 of Hunted By Wraith

Laughter fills the room.

“Um… can I have a minute?” Katherine speaks up, voice tentative.

Everyone exchanges knowing look, then quickly exit.

She sits beside me, fidgeting.

It’s crazy, she looks so much like Kazimir it aches.

I reach out and take her hand. “How are you holding up?”

She laughs softly. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

“Maybe. But you’ve had your own hell to walk through.”

She nods. “I’m okay. Better, most days.”

“I’m glad,” I whisper.

She hesitates, then blushes. “I was wondering… could I come live with you?”

I blink. “Seriously?”

She nods fast. “I know you’ll be training to get back in shape, and… I want to learn.”

How could I say no to another female wanting to learn to kick ass?

“If that’s what you want, then yeah,” I nod. “But you’re taking online courses too.”

“What if I want to join Onyx?” Her eyes gleam with hope.

“Still need an education,” I say with a smirk.

“Deal.” She grins and reaches out. We shake on it.

The door bursts open.

“You can’t go home yet. Another day or two,” Lily announces with a scowl.

Mrs. Salone pokes her in the ribs. “Lily, dear. She just woke up from a coma.”

“You did call me damaged goods earlier,” I say, grinning.

“Maximus was coming at you like a bull in a china shop,” Lily fires back.

We all laugh.

“Where is he anyway?” I ask.

Lily smirks. “I sent him to get your ‘necessities.’ Told him to bring a book too.”

“This is why I love you.”

“I love you too,” she says, soft but firm. “But no more almost dying.”

“No promises.”

Chapter 20