Page 134 of Resurgent

Ican practically feel the chill of the storm raging outside in my bones as I close yet another General's autobiography covering the first few years of the war.

Apparently, I need to add, “Learn to make a fire in the wild in the middle of a blizzard,” to my to-do list after experiencing the unfortunately realistic simulation we were put into today during Ghost Walking.

Despite wearing the winter gear provided to us, every sideways gust of wind had felt like the sharp crack of a whip across my face. Every step down the snow-covered mountainside in search of shelter and food was like carrying a weighted Vanguard pack. And every stumble had the packed snow finding its way between my thick waterproof layers and the skin they were meant to be protecting.

A hot shower is calling my name as I power-walk down through the library stacks in search of any other book that could help me prepare for what we'll be facing in a few short months. A much grimmer, though preferred topic to think about rather than the illusion and the blinding reflection of the sun on the snow that still has me seeing spots.

A hand snags my wrist, and I shout as I’m yanked sideways, the world blurring as my boots skid over tile, and then the door shuts behind me with a soft, final click.

Dark room. No windows. My heart is practically exploding.

"Annalise." Tyr’s voice slices through me—the tone rushed and worried in my mind. "I'm coming!"

“Let go!” I choke out, already twisting, power humming beneath my skin.

My heart slams upward. My fists are already rising as I brace my body for impact—until the figure in front of me shifts, and I hear a low, familiar voice:

“Seiri, it’s just me.”

Hunter.

My heart drops into my stomach, adrenaline dropping so fast it’s embarrassing. I smack his chest with the flat of my hand.

“Are you insane? You can’t just abduct people in libraries!”

He catches my wrist gently.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I was trying to get your attention, but you were lost in your head.”

“Well, I’m out of it now,” I mutter, breath still uneven. “You’re lucky I didn’t—”

But my words cut off because Tyr pushes again, and I can feel his own memories of my attack.

"Are you safe? I’m coming."

“I’m okay. I’m sorry. Hunter just surprised me.”

I hear his faint grumble and murmurs of killing the stupid fucking human; before he cuts off our connection.

Hunter steps into me, the adrenaline and his body heat melting the ice I’d been locked in just seconds ago and replacing it with an entirely different kind of heat.

“What are you doing?”

“I just wanted a minute alone with you. I missed you.”

Stepping up on my tippy toes, I gently kiss him. “You saw me last night.”

“Yeah?” He leans in, ghosting his fingers up my arm, slow and deliberate. “And I’ve been thinking about you all morning.”

“Hunter, I missed you too,” I whisper, “but we’re in the library with students still studying all around us.”

“I know.” His mouth brushes the corner of mine, “but no one ever comes to this section.”

Looking up, I see the sign for Thandroanian History and laugh. "Hunter, I'm literally in here all the time."

"That's pretty weird."

“And this is reckless.”