Hunter Mourned (Wild Hunt Book 3)

by Nancy Corrigan

  People feared they would have a serial killer on their hands soon. The attacks had been escalating in violence. Sure, no one had died yet, but the last robbery victim was still in a coma. Whatever the reason behind Craig’s targeted violence, his control was deteriorating.

  Trevor snatched her hand, slowing her steps. “Hey? What are you rushing for?”

  “I saw a woman who looks like Jen. I want to try to catch her before she disappears.”

  “What would she be doing here?”

  “No clue.” Rowan quickened her pace, and Trevor matched her. “But there’s got to be a good reason why she’s out here. She knows about Craig.”

  “She also said she was ready to check out of this job. I don’t think she was referring to her job at the bar.”

  She cut him a quick look. “She wants to die?”

  “That’d be my guess. She mentioned not wanting Allie to get attached to her before she left.”

  “Of course.” Rowan groaned. How had she missed the clues Jen had given?

  A maiden lived whatever kind of life she’d been handed in order to complete her task. For Jen, that had been giving Rowan the nudge she needed where Trevor was concerned. It had worked too. If it hadn’t been for Jen’s words, Rowan wouldn’t have admitted to Trevor that she hadn’t viewed Kai as her equal, strong enough to withstand the rage that could consume a Huntsman.

  Jen’s mission in this lifetime also offered another realization. Not only had Minerva cried for Rowan and Kai, but she’d valued their happiness enough to task her maiden with the job of solidifying Rowan’s future with Trevor.

  Minerva did love Rowan.

  They reached the curb. Cars zipped by in front of them. They’d have to wait until the light changed. She couldn’t risk causing a wreck. Not only did Trevor’s life need to be protected, but so did the human drivers.

  Rowan faced Trevor. “I’ve gone through life thinking Minerva hated us because we were her mate’s bastard children. She doesn’t. Jen was right. Minerva loves us.”

  “People aren’t always what they seem.” He offered her a sheepish smile. “I thought you were a bitch.”

  “I thought you said you were drawn to me.”

  He shrugged. “I was, but I still thought you were a bitch.”

  She shook her head, but a grin tugged at her mouth. “I guess I should be grateful for the honesty, but I can’t say it’s pleasant hearing my soul mate views me as a bitch.”

  “Viewed.” He gave her hand a small tug. The light had changed, but she still stared at Trevor. “It was your shield, but I didn’t recognize it as such right away.”

  “Luckily you did.”

  “And maybe Minerva is the same way.”

  Rowan sighed. Regret settled on her shoulders for all the nasty arguments they’d had over the years. “I’ll have to thank her.”

  “I’m sure she’ll appreciate that.” Trevor pointed. “Is that the group of kids from the bar the other night with Jen?”

  Rowan looked in the direction he indicated. The red-haired human male who’d shared his beer with her stood in front of Jen, legs slightly spread and palms planted on the building’s surface on either side of her head. Jen had a bored look on her face while the other two humans in matching college sweatshirts studied her with hunger.

  Jen blew smoke in the male’s face. His biceps bulged, and he curled his fingers. He leaned closer to say something to her. Whatever it was must’ve amused her. She laughed. The other two males stepped closer to her.

  Trevor released Rowan’s hand and moved directly toward them in a focused approach that had the red-haired human glancing over his shoulder. He stepped away from Jen and dropped his hands loosely to his sides.

  “What’s going on here?”

  Trevor’s commanding voice boomed around them.

  “You again?” The younger human raised a brow, annoyance giving his voice a whiny quality.

  “Apparently.” Trevor swept his gaze over them and shook his head. “And it seems as if you have a habit of going after the wrong women.”

  The redhead jerked his chin in Rowan’s direction. “I thought she was your girlfriend.”

  “She is, but the woman you’re harassing there is also important to me.”

  “I’m not harassing anyone, and I’m getting sick of you sticking your nose in my business. Go be someone else’s rescuer.”

  Trevor looked at Jen. “Do you want these guys bugging you?”

  She held his gaze for a long moment, working her jaw back and forth as if annoyed by the interruption or maybe their appearance. She took another drag of her cigarette, then ground the lit end against her shoe, exactly as she had the night Rowan had first seen her. She dropped the stub onto a small pile already littering the ground.

  “Nope. I’m waiting for someone else. I told them I wasn’t interested in leaving with them too. They’re not the brightest kids I’ve ever met.”

  “Kids?” One of other guys who’d been watching the exchange stepped forward. “You need a goddamn lesson in respect. Don’t you, bitch?”

  “Threatening and harassing.” Trevor pulled out his wallet, opened it, and held it up. “That’s enough to haul your asses down to the station.”

  “You’re a cop?” The redhead’s eyes widened.

  Trevor didn’t say anything. He just stood there with his fingers curled around the open wallet. From where Rowan stood, she couldn’t see what he’d flashed.

  “So what are you going to do?” Trevor paused a moment, then lowered his arm. “Are you going to ruin my date with my girl and put me in a bad mood? Or walk?”

  The red-haired human glared at Jen. “See you at the bar tomorrow night, sweetheart.”

  Jen pulled a nearly empty pack of cigarettes from her purse and selected another cigarette. “You won’t see me there anymore. I quit.”

  “Then I’ll keep an eye out for you on the streets. We have unfinished business.”

  Jen rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

  She waited until the three college kids walked off before tossing her unlit cigarette on the ground and storming toward them. “The two of you have a problem with listening, don’t you? I don’t want to be associated with either of you or your little group.”

  “Why not?” Rowan invaded Jen’s personal space. “Don’t you want your daughter to know you’re going to commit suicide?”

  Jen stepped back. The hard mask she wore slipped, and she flinched. “I won’t take my own life.”

  “No. You’ll let Craig do it for you.” Jen turned, but Rowan moved with her, staying in her line of sight. “That’s the reason you’re here, isn’t it? To entice him.”

  Jen narrowed her eyes but didn’t speak.

  Rowan motioned to the open purse dangling from Jen’s shoulder. “That’s an invitation to be robbed, and you’re dressed as provocatively as his other victims.”

  “You even fit his victim profile.” Trevor took up a position next to Rowan. “Why are you looking for him, Jen? Do you want to become one of his puppets?”

  Jen glanced pointedly from the people congregated near the entrance of the dive to the people passing by them on the street.

  “This isn’t the place to discuss Craig.” Jen motioned for them to follow her. “Walk with me, Hunters.”

  Trevor positioned himself on Jen’s right, paralleling the street, and Rowan stepped on the maiden’s left. For a woman who’d described herself as living a hard life, Jen moved with grace. Her straight posture and fluid steps didn’t match the skintight red dress with its plunging neckline or the shiny, vinyl, knee-high boots.

  Rowan could easily picture Jen in a flowing gown with flowers woven in her hair and an innocent aura surrounding her. Now I know where Allie gets it from.

  If Allie were anything like her mother, she’d have a sharp, hard personality hidden behind the angelic exterior. It made Rowan want to get to know the girl better. Allie might turn out to be the female friend Rowan never had. Her sisters didn’t count
. They had to put up with her.

  Jen led them to a coffee shop. Dimly lit with mahogany wooden panels and black tabletops, it offered a serene ambiance. The older man playing a saxophone on a small stage near the front of the place added to the atmosphere. Although people were scattered throughout the shop—seated in small groups or by themselves—the underlying drone of voices and music obscured the conversations taking place.

  Trevor scanned the room, then motioned to a group of cushioned chairs in the back. “Let’s sit there.”

  Jen sat and demurely crossed her ankles, keeping her thighs pressed firmly together. She folded her hands and waited in silence until a waitress took their order before slumping in the plush burgundy chair. “Yes, I was looking for Craig.”

  “Why?” Trevor asked.

  “I need to find him before you do.”

  Trevor leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees. “Again—why?”

  The worn, tired look was back in Jen’s eyes. She scrubbed a hand down her face. “Because I want to talk to him.”

  “Enough of the empty answers.” Rowan leveled a hard glare at the maiden. “You brought us here. Now talk to us.”

  Jen pinched the bridge of her nose, and her shoulders slumped more. “Craig and I have unfinished business. He was my soul mate many, many years ago. We loved each other deeply and sought each other out, lifetime after lifetime. Then I refused him, and I lost my connection to him.”

  She dropped her hand and met Rowan’s gaze. “But he didn’t stop longing for me. He continued to seek me out, always finding me in whatever situation I was in.”

  “How? Death should’ve erased his memories of loving you.” Rowan asked.

  “He didn’t die. Dar made him a redcap, promising him he’d have eternity to win back my love.” Jen picked at a loose string on her dress. “But I kept refusing him.”

  Sympathy stirred within Rowan for the redcap, but the reason Craig had accepted the role didn’t eliminate the horrors he’d delivered upon the world. “I’m sorry for the situation you’re in, but Craig isn’t the same man you once loved. Chaos has corrupted him. Allowing him even another day in this realm puts the innocent at risk.”

  “And that’s why I didn’t want you around me. I saw him that night after you found me. He was too far away and wasn’t looking in my direction, but I recognized him. He’ll recognize me too when he sees me.” Jen slid to the edge of her seat and leaned toward Rowan. “I have to help him if I can. Do you understand? I might not long for him, but I loved him once.”

  Rowan rested her hand on Jen’s arm. “Craig will kill you. Dar convinced Raul that killing Harley’s mom would end their bond. I’m sure Craig thinks the same thing.”

  “Did it work?”

  “No. Don’t even think about it.” Trevor lowered his voice. “You are not sacrificing yourself for a redcap, previous soul mate or not. There is still good you can do in this world.”

  Jen didn’t answer or look at Trevor. She held Rowan’s gaze, demanding the truth.

  Finally, Rowan sighed. “I don’t know. I was still in the fairy prison at the time. If you come back to the estate, you can talk to Harley about Raul.”

  Jen remained silent while the waitress delivered their coffees. Once the woman walked away, she slumped in her seat a second time. “I might call, but I won’t be visiting. I don’t want my daughter to pity me for the life I’ve lived or the mistakes I’ve made. I’d rather she hate me.”

  “That last woman Craig attacked probably has brain damage. Maybe in his twisted mind, hurting women isn’t the same as killing them, but I can almost guarantee Arawn isn’t going to agree.” Trevor softened his voice. “Help us find him before he does kill someone.”

  “He was a good man once.” There was defeat in Jen’s voice.

  “Then maybe he can redeem himself,” Trevor said.

  Jen straightened. “Do you believe that’s possible?”

  Trevor gave a half shrug in answer. He wouldn’t say anything he didn’t believe. Rowan had noticed that over the weeks she’d known him. He’d remain silent, letting the other person assume whether he agreed or not.

  After another moment of silence, Jen dropped her head in her hands. “There’s a new drug dealer working out of that bar I was standing in front of. I don’t know if it’s Craig or not, but the timing is too coincidental.”

  “Thank you.” Rowan squeezed Jen’s shoulder, hoping to offer some comfort.

  “Reconsider your decision, Jen. With us, you have a purpose. If you die, Minerva can’t assign you a new task. You’ll be reborn without a reason to endure.” Trevor waited for Jen to look at him. “How long do you think you’ll survive with the memories of hundreds of lifetimes pressing down on you? Regret and depression will consume you. Those things make people bitter and resentful. Is that the way you want to be remembered? Too weak to survive without Minerva’s guidance?”

  “No.” Jen shook her head. “No, that’s not what I want.”

  “Then go home and think about our offer,” Trevor said.

  “I will, but I can’t promise anything.”

  Trevor stood. “That’s the best I can ask for. Call if you see Craig again. Don’t try to talk to him. It won’t do any good. He’s the only one who can save himself.”

  “We’ll take you home.” Rowan didn’t want the maiden walking back to her place alone.

  “I am home.” Jen motioned to the ceiling. “I live upstairs.”

  “Can you give us the name and number of your sister?” Trevor asked.

  “Sure.” Jen tossed a twenty on the table, paying for their untouched coffees, and stood.

  They followed her through the kitchen, where she greeted the staff with warm hellos, and into a vestibule at the rear of the building. Mailboxes took up a section of the wall, and a bulletin board covered another.

  Jen led them to the third floor and down a clean hallway to the apartment at the end. She unlocked the door and ushered them inside.

  “Have a seat if you want. I’ll be right out.”

  The moment she was out of sight, Trevor dug out his phone and started typing.

  “Who are you texting?”

  “The guard I have on Jen. I’m issuing a suicide watch on her.”

  “Why didn’t they intervene when those humans were harassing her?”

  Trevor raised his gaze to hers. “Because they weren’t forcibly doing anything to her. My guards are instructed to watch, not interfere unnecessarily. That’d blow their cover.”

  Of course, he was right. If Jen had known she was being followed, she likely would’ve ordered the guard to get away from her.

  “What did you show those humans to make them think you were a cop?”

  He pulled out his wallet and opened it to reveal a security badge. “I just happened to hold it like this.” He moved his finger, covering up the word “security.”

  “Very nice.”

  He shrugged. “I could’ve fought them, but this was easier.”

  Jen walked out with a small address book and a stack of yellowed envelopes.

  “Jessica’s number is in here. I have a star by her name.” Jen handed the notebook to Trevor.

  “Thank you.” Trevor slipped the book into his back pocket.

  “And these are from another sister.” She held out the letters. “They’re from the ’30s. We’re born into the same family lines until we complete our tasks. I can’t say if she has yet, but you could check out the women born to this family. Whether she’ll identify herself as a maiden or not, I can’t say. You can try dropping my name and telling her I sent you.”

  That would take a long time, but it was better than not having any clues to go on. Rowan carefully took the bundle. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. A few lifetimes ago, I started hiding my important belongings so I could recover them in another life.”

  Trevor caught Rowan’s gaze and raised a brow. The conversation they’d had earlier in the day made sense in light
of Jen’s revelation. No doubt Harley’s mom had done the same. If she had, there might be letters or clues to the location of more of Minerva’s maidens.

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to sleep. This has been a rough night.” Jen pointed to the door. “Please see yourselves out.”

  “Don’t forget what I said, Jen. Call my cell if you need anything.”

  “And remember, you might not be able to reconnect with Minerva, but the Huntsmen can talk to her for you or deliver her letters. With us, you have a way to reach your goddess.” Rowan offered the bait that would hopefully sway the woman’s decision.

  “I’ll think about it. I can’t promise anything, though.” Jen repeated her earlier words.

  Rowan sighed, knowing that was the best they’d get. She followed Trevor out, but one thought lingered in her mind, sending a wave of helplessness through her. Jen wouldn’t promise to call if she suspected she’d break her vow. The maiden wouldn’t want to damn herself.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  The first rays of sunlight brightened the lobby of the hotel they’d gotten a room at, harkening a new day and another wasted night. The only good thing that came out of their prowling was finding Jen. Trevor only hoped the woman had listened to them. The helplessness and sadness that had radiated off her didn’t fill him with confidence, though.

  “I’ve been thinking.” Rowan leaned against his side as they waited for the elevator to open. “Allie should know her mom is depressed. Maybe she can talk some sense into her.”

  “I doubt it. Jen was adamant about not wanting Allie around her. If Allie shows up, that might send Jen running or push her over the edge.”

  “True, but if there’s even a chance it might help, we should take it.”

  He doubted anything Allie said would convince Jen to return with them. Jen’s issues had as much to do with Craig and his downfall as it did with Allie. Probably more so. Trevor knew he would be devastated if Rowan’s life spiraled out of control without him. The guilt would choke him.