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All I could do was nod. During our three days, we’d made it to Denver and Miami, and didn’t bring many survivors back. My biggest hope was that they were in hiding and they’d come to us when I overthrew Aetas, but nothing was for sure. This might be it for our kind. One hundred-thirty-seven. That was it.
“Tessa just had another episode. Her mind is too strong for Aetas to control for long. The attacks are starting to grow closer together. I worry how much longer this can continue before she breaks completely. Every time he does this, I can’t help but feel he does more harm than good.”
My stomach turned and the sickness was all too real.
“What if we took her, like him?” The question was more of one to myself, but Hunter responded.
“He may find us. You heard Tessa, she wants us to continue with the plan.”
“You feel her—I felt her,” I snapped. “She’s not well. He’s hurting her.” I paused. “But she’d be pissed if she knew I put our kind in jeopardy. I am torn. I have to go to her.”
“You?” Hunter gave me a look of disbelief. “Are you insane? She thinks you’re a traitor. She’ll either try to kill you or have you arrested. Then Aetas wins. Use your head. You’re smarter than that.”
“I am. That’s why I won’t go as myself.”
A confused looked crossed Hunter’s face only to melt away as I felt my skin crawl and tingle.
“Jesus. It’s like what Aetas did with you. Who are you? I don’t recognize your face.”
I shrugged, smiling. I take note of everything. I’m one of the enforcers I saw during Margo and Gina’s trial.”
“And if you run into him up there?”
“Pray I don’t.”
“I want to come. Change me, too.”
I turned, walking toward headquarters.
“Marko. Take me with you. It’s too risky for you to be alone. You need me.”
Hunter caught up to my side and I frowned. “Two of us puts us more in jeopardy. I have to go alone.”
“Bullshit.” He grabbed my arm, pulling me to a stop. “We’re in this together. We’re mates, dammit. Or, we’re mated. Whatever. I have your back and you have mine. We don’t split up. We haven’t throughout our time together and we won’t now. I can protect you if need be. I’m stronger every day. Take me.”
I groaned and locked on this throat, forcing my powers into him. The color of his skin darkened and Hunter jerked as his features changed shape.
“Can’t …breathe.”
I let go, letting him catch his breath.
“Was the throat thing necessary?” Coughing came from his mouth and I rolled my eyes, pulling him in closer to me.
“No, but it was better than the alternative. You really piss me off sometimes.”
“Because I’m right,” He said, rubbing where I had held.
“No more talking or I make you incapable. And no doing anything stupid. We want to blend in, Hunter. I don’t care what you see up there, you restrain yourself, understood?”
My pace increased as we headed through the memorial of the fallen enforcers.
“You’re the one who needs this talk, not me. I’m the one who uses my head. You’re the loose cannon.”
My eyes cut over and Hunter kept the slight smile on his face as he stared ahead.
Never in a million years would I have thought myself able to tolerate the man I once longed to kill. The man I could have killed had I not prolonged it for reasons unclear to me now. Hunter was fast becoming more than a friend. A part of me loved him, and no matter how big or small that part was, it was love. The kind that didn’t fade over time, but prospered. Seeing him grow as a vampire, seeing his trials and protectiveness over me, and the longing he held for Tessa that matched my own—I’d sacrifice myself for him, just as I would for Tessa. Just as I feared I might have to do.
“Hunter.” I slowed, running my fingers through hair that wasn’t there anymore because of the change. “I have to talk to you about something. It’s about what will happen if things don’t go our way. I don’t want you to say anything, but I need you—”
