Page 60 of Slayer

“Stella, I would counsel you in your young years not to make a decision⁠—”

“It’s my money to do with what I wish, right?” I asked.

He cleared his throat. “Yes. But right now, you would never need to work for the rest of your life if you didn’t want to.”

“I like working. I’d get bored sitting around. I want you to donate the money in my mother’s name.”

His bottom lip shook, and his brown eyes suddenly grew misty. “Okay, Stella. I will, if you’re sure.”

I stood, grabbing my little bag of ten grand and officially feeling like a drug dealer.

“I’m sure. It was a pleasure to meet you.” I extended my hand, and he shook it.

“You too.” He seemed a little perplexed.

I peered down at the real estate card. “Does your real estate agent friend know about hunters and all that?”

He shook his head. “No. Humans that know of your kind are very rare.”

That was probably for the best.

“Do you mind giving me your office while I make a private call?”

He stood. “Of course.”

He left the room, and I called the real estate agent, Krista, who was very warm and welcoming and spoke volumes of Steven’s character and what a nice guy he was. After telling her I’d just inherited family money and wanted to buy an apartment in Paris for my best friend, she was more than happy to have her Paris agent meet Rae in a few days and hunt for places. I told her I was out of town and hard to reach a lot, and she said that Steven could sign everything for me and transfer the money if I signed some paperwork giving him power of attorney just for this real estate deal.

I called Steven back in, and he quickly printed the power of attorney forms. I told him I was buying a place in Paris for my bestie, and he smiled. “That’s very sweet of you.”

I also needed to think about what my mom said in the letter about me getting my own hideout and not telling anyone. But I was too overwhelmed for that now.

After I left his office, Celia and I portaled to Spokane. She said Asher and Silex would head back to campus later. One second, we were in the train, and the next, we were in the SkyRide back in Riverfront Park. The portal system was incredible, but it did seem like Celia had to get permission and was controlling it from her phone. I could imagine that too many people trying to use the portal at once would cause an issue.

It was daytime in Spokane, and the SkyRide was running, so when we reached the bottom, a guy opened the door for us without a second glance.

“Thanks, hope you enjoyed the ride,” he told us.

Celia nodded to him as I led her to Atticus Coffee and Gifts. I needed to grab something. This was my last time to say goodbye to the mortal world, and I wanted to do it right.

After I got what I needed from Atticus, Celia led me down to a parking garage and walked over to a large blacked-out SUV and beeped the keys.

“Hunter-issued ride for the day.” She winked at me.

I grinned, buckling into the front seat as she headed for my apartment with Rae. My mind spun in tight, anxious circles. Modeling gig? Why had I said that? It wasn’t even believable. I was pretty, sure, but not that pretty. I was normal pretty, the kind that blended into a crowd. Dark circles lived permanently under my eyes without makeup, and my lips were thinner than what was currently trending.

Before I knew it, I was standing in front of the apartment I’d spent all of zero nights in.

Celia leaned against the wall beside me. “I’ll be right out here,” she said.

I nodded, used my key, and let myself inside.

Rae jumped off the couch. “You’re a horrible roommate. I’ve been worried sick!” she snapped.

Her eyes were rimmed red, her hair slicked back like she’d dragged her hands through it too many times. She looked exhausted, and my heart sank.

“I’m so sorry.” I stepped closer to hug her, but she crossed her arms instead of opening them. I stopped short.

Understandable. I didn’t trust easily either. If someone broke my trust, they were dead to me.