“And?” I pressed, leaning back on the bed and cupping my head with my hands.
She blew out a breath. “He's helped me a lot this week. I don't think I'd have gotten this far without him...or you,” she added quietly.
I was snared in her gaze again and a lump rolled into my throat. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” she smiled, then thumped my leg. “And you wouldn't have gotten anywhere without me either, right?” she teased.
“Absolutely.” I tilted my head on a laugh and was overly aware of the fact her hand had remained on my calf.
She quickly retracted it, flexing her fingers.
“I'm glad you're here,” she said. “It's good to have friends close. But I'm not sure why you chose to be here.” She turned to me, brows raised.
I tongued my cheek, glancing away. “I wasn't a fan of Arabella's clan.”
“Why not?” she asked and I knew I was in dangerous water. The real reason I'd joined Nox couldn't be voiced. I could fabricate the lie. But continuing to lie to her didn't feel right.
So I decided to tell her a different truth. “I like being around you,” I revealed.
She gazed at me as if I'd gone mad. “Are you going all Stockholm syndrome on me? Because I'm pretty sure that works the other way around.”
“You're right. Do you miss me tying you up?” I growled.
Shit, where did that come from? Rein it in, man.
Mercy's eyes turned to discs. She coughed a laugh. “Colt!” She slapped my leg and heat coursed through me. I sat upright, grabbing her wrist. Being an only child had probably spoiled me. I always got what I wanted and was pretty rash when it came to decision-making. Right then, I wanted her closer and as she slid an inch toward me, my heart rate escalated.
I released her, my fingers hovering beside her arm instead. Gazing down at my hand, she slowly threaded her fingers between mine.
“Thank you for helping me today,” she whispered, squeezing once before releasing me and getting to her feet.
“No problem,” I said, my throat tight.
“See you at the feast.” She beamed. “Bring your A-game. Everyone's getting real hungry in this cave.”
I rubbed my stomach, grinning. “No one's as hungry as me.”
“No one but this girl.” She pointed at herself, a smile dancing around her lips as she exited the pod and headed out of sight.
I couldn't wipe the grin off my face for a long time after she left.
I recalled my father's advice about women.
“You think you're indestructible until a girl worms their way into your heart. Best not to let them in.”
When Hawke called, “Food!” from down in the cave, I leapt to my feet, hurrying down to join the masses who were swarming out of the cavern.
Going hungry was the last thing I needed. And frankly, it wasn't gonna happen.
As I arrived in the feast hall, I could tell there was only enough food for half the clan. It was worse than Vita. They were seriously struggling to survive here. Which meant the strongest would eat. And that damn well included me.
My first instinct was to grab the guy half my size who was slurping at a bowl of broth. The second, was to test Hawke's strength who was sitting at the head of the table, calmly drinking a bowl of blood. Obviously, I didn't want his meal. So I settled on snatching the first guy's collar, taking his bowl and pouring the remainder into my mouth.
Mercy passed me, throwing me a glance as she aimed for a girl with ringlets. She was accompanied by a dark-skinned girl and a man almost my height with tattoos coiling around his muscular neck. The three of them uprooted the girl and the two men next to her, taking their seats as if this was common practice. I guessed teamwork around here could be beneficial.
Seeing as I'd had a half-decent meal, I strode toward the head of the table, my eyes pinned on Hawke.
If he knew I was closing in on him, he didn't make it known. Most of his bowl was still full, which showed how little he expected to be attacked.
Time to find out how strong this guy is...
Instead of grabbing hold of him, I reached over his shoulder and tipped up his bowl.
Blood splashed across the table, oozing between the wooden cracks and staining everything red. Everyone stopped eating. Which meant a lot, considering they all looked ravenous.
Hawke's shoulders stiffened; the only acknowledgment he gave me.
Rising from his seat, his eyes swivelled to me, dark and filled with a raging storm. I braced myself for a fight, happy to piss this guy off if it gave me a good measure of his strength. Even if he did beat my ass. Better to know what I was going up against for the sake of Bain's request.
Hawke assessed me with cool eyes. “You wanna eat my meal?” he asked calmly, though I could sense a deadly undertone.
I shrugged and he lunged forward, grabbing the back of my head and slamming my face into the table.
“Then eat!” he bellowed.
My cheek pressed into the blood and a grin took over my face. Strong. But I'd killed stronger.
I rolled, throwing my full weight at him, knocking over his chair, making us both stumble. He snatched my shirt in his fists, baring his fangs.
“Oh you don't wanna eat, huh? Well I do,” he snarled at me. Turning my head violently to one side, he dug his teeth into my neck. I threw a hard punch at his head and he lurched aside, missing it by inches.
I caught hold of his arms as he kept his hands locked around my throat, squeezing so tight I couldn't draw breath.
Been here before, pal. I can take you.
Dragging him closer, I head-butted him full force. My vision swum from the collision and stars burst in front of my eyes.
People were closing in around us, trying to break up the fight, their food abandoned on the table. Those who hadn't managed to get a seat hurriedly grabbed the bowls on offer.
As Hawke came at me with murder in his eyes, someone managed to get between us, planting their hands on our chests.
Mercy.
I gazed down at her, my brows lifting.
The welt I'd caused on Hawke's face healed over, but the one on mine certainly didn't. He stared at me over Mercy's head, snarling, fangs bared.
“Stop it,” Mercy demanded, looking between us.
“You wanna fight?” Hawke asked me. “We do it in tonight's brawls.”
“Fine by me,” I growled, my muscles tensing.
Hawke stalked away, exiting the room.
Mercy dropped her hand from my chest, shaking her head. “What the hell are you doing?”
Shit. Hadn't planned for this. I shrugged in answer and knew it wasn't good enough. She gave me a suspicious look then marched away, returning to her friends.
I kicked Hawke's seat upright and dropped into it, snatching a bowl which had been abandoned and consuming the contents.
Some of the clan eyed me warily, but it didn't matter to me. They didn't need to like me. This had to happen. If Bain was going to tell me how to get out of this place, I had to be strong. Had to kill the Vampire.
But I couldn't ignore the heaviness of my heart as Mercy kept her averted eyes from me, her lips pursed as she listened to her friends talking.
Sorry, Mercy. This is just the way it has to be.
SEVENTY FIVE YEARS AGO
Jessica and I spent every night together for months. And I was starting to think...maybe I'd found someone to love. Maybe my heart would let her in fully soon. And we'd be able to start a life together. I was already planning what to tell my father. He'd never said I couldn't leave the resort and it was time I made it clear I didn't plan on staying.
As I made my way into the grand hall, my eyes immediately roamed the room, searching for Jessica. I spotted her with a jolt. She was sat in a Hunter's lap. A man with jet black hair and a cigar hanging out the corner of his mouth. His hands were up her shirt and two other Hunters were cheering him on. Jessica looked horribly uncomfortable, writhing in his lap.
I stormed toward the table,
snatching her up, my free hand curling into a fist. “What the hell is this?” I demanded.
The Hunter laughed, clearly drunk as he gazed up at me. “Hey it's Rockley's boy. Have a drink with us.”
I turned away from them as they pointedly ignored my rage, perhaps they didn't register it at all.
“It's fine, Colt,” Jessica said, her eyes on her feet.
I guided her away from the table, tilting her chin up with my finger. “What do you mean it's fine? That's not fine, Jess. He had his hands all over you!”
She swallowed, her eyes watery as she gazed at me. “Are you really that clueless?”
“What do you mean?” I asked, my heart bashing against my ribcage.
She shook her head, fighting back tears.
“What is it?” I asked in a low voice, moving her back another few steps.
Her lower lip trembled as she glanced up at me. “All the men are like that here. Especially the Hunters...they take what they want. That's how it is for the staff.”
I gazed at her, my mind spinning in frantic circles. “No,” I said. “They don't touch the staff, it's not allowed.”
She pushed my chest, her gaze narrowing with rage. “How can you not know what goes on in this place?”
“Did someone touch you before this? Who Jessica, who?” My anger was growing out of control. I'd kill whoever had laid a hand on her.
She released a dry laugh. “It would be easier to just read your guest list, Colt.” She turned, marching away and the breath was crushed out my lungs.
I glanced back at the Hunters laughing merrily together.
I ground my teeth. Had I really been so clueless? What else went on in this place behind closed doors? And why was I surprised by it, considering what this resort was meant for? What kind of hypocrite did that make me, standing up for one girl when others died every day in this place?
A pathetic one.
I spent the evening drinking in my room. I gazed at the door, checking my watch over and over again. But Jessica never came. And why would she? She probably thought I was as bad as those men. I'd never stood up for anyone in my life. But doing so for her had turned a switch on in my head.
Frustration rolled through me and I accepted I had to go to sleep without her tonight. Stripping out of my clothes, I slid under the covers and waited for sleep to come, hoping she might still change her mind. Hoping I hadn't lost her forever.
✭☠ ✭
Someone pounded on my door in the middle of the night. I sprang out of bed, hoping Jessica had shown up at last. Dragging the door open, readying my apology, I found my father standing there.
I frowned, confused.
“Sorry to wake you, son. We've had an incident. I figured it was as good a time as any to teach you de protocol for such things.”
“What do you mean? What's happened?”
“Come with me.”
I turned, tugging on some clothes before following him out of the room, rubbing my bleary eyes. It must have been at least two in the morning. The hotel was quiet, most of the men had retired to their rooms, or passed out drunk somewhere. It was the same every night. Especially as most of them started drinking at the crack of dawn. Maybe that was the only way they could enjoy this place guilt free. Or perhaps it was just another way to enjoy the many freedoms of this place without judgment.
My father led me down a few levels in the hotel, heading down a brightly-lit corridor before knocking on a door.
A second later, it swung open and I came face to face with the Hunter who'd been touching Jessica earlier. He smirked as he spotted me and I took in his bare chest which was speckled with blood.
Something's not right.
I pushed past him, panic taking hold of me, my instincts urging me into that room.
My gut dropped like a stone.
On the bed, was Jessica, her naked body cut and bruised. There was a bag around her head, but I knew it was her. Her golden locks were hanging out of it, laying over her shoulders. My throat burned. My heart froze into a solid lump of ice.
Finding the strength to move, I ran to her side, ripping the bag from her head.
Her lips were blue, her eyes wide in death, a haunted look branded in them forever.
Gone...she's gone.
Panic darted through me, crushing the air out of my lungs.
“What have you done?!” I bellowed, rounding on the Hunter.
My father stepped further into the room, shutting the door, glancing from me to Jessica. “It happens, son. We need to move the body, make sure de maids don't find out. We don't want dem spooked.”
I shook my head at him with a grimace, unsure who he was at that moment.
Straightening, I gazed at the man who'd done this, wanting to rip off his head for what he'd done. He didn't look particularly concerned, in fact he started yawning as if this whole thing was keeping him from a good night's sleep.
Rage spewed through me hot and fast.
My eyes swung to a machete laid on the bedside table. I grabbed it, turning toward him, trembling from head to foot.
My father eyed me curiously, not seeming particularly disturbed.
I lunged at the dark-haired Hunter and he lurched back, stumbling, clearly drunk. I pinned him against the wall by the throat, snarling in his face, “You piece of shit.”
He choked, shoving me hard to get me off. I might have only been half Hunter, but I'd been born with full strength. And he was drunk, so I damn-well had the advantage.
Releasing him, I let him stumble past me, heading toward my father.
Father folded his arms. “What's dis about, Colt?”
“Him,” I growled, throwing myself at the Hunter and bringing him to the floor. He cried out, trying to fight me off, his arms flailing as I fell atop him. Sliding the machete under his neck, I started tugging and tugging and tugging.
My father's hands were on me, dragging me off, but as he did so, the blade slid all the way through and beheaded the man.
I hit the floor, gazing up at my father who looked more shocked than I'd ever seen him.
“What de hell did you just do?” he hissed.
I wiped the blood splatters from my face, getting to my feet. “He killed her,” I choked, unable to look at Jessica again, my heart punctured with a hole that would never be filled.
My father gazed from me to Jessica. “You cared about de girl?” he guessed.
I nodded stiffly and my father planted a hand on my shoulder.
“Alright son. We'll clean dis up, hide de evidence. You've had your revenge. Now get your head straight. If de Watchers ever find out what you did-”
“I don't care.” I shrugged him off and he narrowed his eyes.
“Well I care, God damn you. You do not kill Hunters ever again, Colt, do you hear me?”
I nodded vaguely and my father sighed wearily, gazing around at the mess. “Jesus Christ, dis is going to take more dan a bottle of bleach.”
What the crap had gotten into Colt? Why would he challenge Hawke for a bowl of blood? It didn't make any sense!
Tykera and Harlen didn't shut up about it as we walked back to the cavern. Colt had gone ahead. I was nervous of what I'd find back in the cave. But was surprised to find both Hawke and Colt casually lining up next to the ring. They were fourth in line for a brawl, standing side by side, not talking.
“This is crazy,” I muttered.
Harlen nodded, his eyes sparkling. “I've never seen anyone fight for Hawke's food. That was hilarious!”
I glanced at him, my brows pulling together. “How was that funny?”
“Oh come on, Hawke's like a god around here. It's nice to see someone challenging him. He gets way too comfy being the boss.” Harlen grinned. “Plus, did you see how hot Colt looked when he was bent over that table?” He bit his lower lip and I thumped his arm.
“You have a filthy mind,” Tykera remarked, grinning.
“You love it.” He elbowed her and her smile grew.
She
looked to me. “Hawke might be put on his arse tonight.”
I sucked my lower lip, fighting a smile. “Do you think Colt can take him?”
“Maybe.” Tykera's eyes glinted with mischief and I relaxed a little.
Fighting was common practice around here, but that didn't make this situation any less unusual. I still didn't understand Colt's motives. But I guessed I didn't know him well enough to figure out why he'd attacked Hawke. Maybe he had dreams of taking over a clan. But hell, we'd only been here a week. Was it really time to start biting the hand that feeds?
We fetched pillows whilst Harlen held front row seats for the fight. Tykera and I soon dropped down beside him and the first brawl broke out between two girls. One of them was the size of a bear and her opponent barely lasted a minute against her. The beast of a girl half-suffocated her in her unshaven armpit. It was kind of disturbing to watch.
When the victor was declared, she strode confidently from the ring toward a guy that was double her size with more hair on his face than a lion. They were a frightening couple to behold and he gazed at her hungrily as they strode off toward a pod together.
When I turned back to the ring, I spotted Colt and Hawke watching me.
I immediately averted my gaze, my stomach spinning.
Harlen leant closer to me, murmuring, “Now Hawke doesn't have a harem he'll have to fight for sexy privileges like the rest of us.”
My nose wrinkled. If he won, would he pick a girl to screw? Would Colt? Something about the thought made my stomach writhe. I fought away the feeling, focusing on the next brawl.
“I think they both have their eye on you,” Tykera commented, making me even more uncomfortable.
Surely Hawke and Colt wouldn't bother trying it on with me? The thought made me shift in my seat.
When the next two fights were over and blood speckled the floor of the ring, Colt and Hawke stepped into it.
I knotted my fingers together, waiting for the fight to start. Both of their chests were now bare. They looked like living statues with their defined abs and cut muscles. This was going to be a close match.
The referee called out, “Begin!” but neither of them moved, gazing at each other, assessing.
Hunter Trials Page 18