Page 73 of Hunted

I lean against the counter. ‘He’s not going to stop, Selphine. He’s not searching like a man collecting a debt. He’s searching like…’ I hesitate.

‘Like what?’ she presses.

‘Like he’ll burn cities if he has to.’

A beat. ‘And does that frighten you?’

Fucking fuck yes, it does. ‘A little.’ The words settle heavier than I want.

‘Does he know who you are?’

‘No.’

‘Has he touched your mind?’

I hesitate. ‘Briefly. With my permission after I made sure my walls and barricades were locked down tight.’

The silence sharpens. ‘How deeply?’

‘He tested my defences after I showed him the information he needed,’ I say carefully. ‘He probed. Nothing more.’

‘And you allowed this?’

‘It was a dare,’ I snap. ‘He wasn’t supposed to take it.’

‘You dared an ancient predator to invade your thoughts,’ Selphine says flatly. ‘And you’re surprised he obliged.’

I roll my eyes. ‘Yes, yes, roast me later. I’m aware I was a reckless fool.’

‘You are fortunate it was only reckless. Not bloody suicide.’

I scrub a hand down my face. ‘Do you have any idea why he wants her so badly?’

A pause. ‘I have some idea.’

I straighten. She says nothing for a full half minute. ‘Do you feel like sharing,’ I ask tightly, ‘or are you going to leave me with my ass hanging out?’

‘Language,’ she snaps.

I snort. Rich, coming from a woman who swears like a dockworker when she thinks I’m not listening.

‘Please,’ I say more quietly.

Selphine’s voice shifts, something older threading through it. ‘There are forces in motion around him that are not merely personal. Not merely political. And you are standing at their centre whether you understand it or not.’

‘That is spectacularly unhelpful.’

‘You will understand soon enough.’

This whole day has been one giant boil on my ass, and I yawn despite myself.

‘Go to bed,’ she orders.

‘I don’t want to. I’m contemplating getting hammered off my tits before I crash. I don’t want another damn flying sex dream.’ The half lie mocks me on its way out.

‘What did you say?’

I grimace. ‘Nothing.’