"That fucker," he cursed. "It’s like watching after two children." He stood up and grabbed a gun, tucking it into his waistband.
His cock was aching after watching the show—not only her on her stomach, red lips parting with tiny puffs of air as the incubus pounded into her, but also just now. A distracting striptease. The glint of the gun and the knife’s blade against her pale stomach had nearly made him want to shatter his bedroom’s large windows—the only perfect angle in his penthouse to watch her dorm, every curve of skin bathed in moonlight.
And now, she was scaling the side of the Academy’s dorm building.
10
KING
Rin and Cyrus walked down the quiet streets.
Cyrus wore a dark hoodie, pulled tight over his head to conceal his face. He kept close to her side, even though she was the one who had weapons; though, with his withering, he was the predator between them. Rin often forgot just how dangerous the incubus could be.
She breathed in the fresh air, feeling the lack of winter’s chill. It was almost too warm for this time of year—almost spring.
Her steps quickened, as if she wished to outrun time.
Outside the Academy gates, the flickering lamps cast wavering shadows over the pristine sidewalks. She coughed lightly, her throat still itching.
Cyrus grabbed her hand, stretching her fingers out as he laced their palms together. "Okay, doll?" He kept his voice low, even though they were the only two out.
It wasn’t unusual to see trainees in this area after curfew, coming back or going out on assignment. Or even like Rin and Cyrus, hunting down one of the twenty-four-hour, unmanned convenience stores, where surveillance cameras tracked who entered and what items they bought, immediately charging the credits to their accounts.
"I’m fine, just thirsty." She couldn’t help but infuse a bit of sensuality into her tone, her words stalling as she saw two Hunters approaching across the street. "Keep your head down."
"Hiding like this… am I your dirty little secret, doll? Do you like stealing away with me?"
"Be quiet already, Cy." Her words didn’t come easily. Everything still felt a little too fuzzy at the edges, and she felt an urgency nip at her heels.
Up ahead, the brightly lit convenience store beckoned. The sliding doors were closed, but she knew they’d open in just a second, once they got a little closer. She tugged him onward. On the other side of the glass windows, she saw rows of snacks and the refrigerated section that boasted energy-boosting coffees or strengthening teas.
The doors slid open, a puff of cold air blowing her hair away from her face.
"Come on, let’s go. I want to try one of those coffees," she said.
Cyrus’s fingers flexed around hers. He made a strange sound, just as she registered footsteps behind them. Too fast to be walking steadily.
She turned, finding the two Hunters she’d seen earlier sprinting toward them with agile speed.
"Cyrus!" Rin gasped.
He shoved her behind him, and her back bumped into the doors, which slowly slid shut.
"Stay the fuck away!" he growled.
Rin jolted. She had never heard him sound so angry before.
The Hunters were tall and built with strength. One was clearly a woman, thick, dark curls tumbling over her shoulders, obscuring her face from Rin. She moved far too quickly for Rin to keep up, especially with her lingering exhaustion. She’d be nouse in a fight. She was still sore between her thighs from earlier. Dammit!
"Come with us now, and we won’t force you," the female Hunter said.
Cyrus shouldered in front of Rin, shielding her. "No. I made my decision—now leave."
The man spoke, his voice a purr almost. "Who is this? Protecting a little human? Really? He would be ashamed of how far you’ve fallen."
Rin studied Cyrus’s back as he spoke. She swore the shadows above seemed to swell, pressing down upon her. "She is none of your concern. Now leave." Cyrus reached back, grabbing Rin’s hand. He squeezed once—hard, as if to warn her to run.
"Have it your way then," said the female.
