“No, but if we survive this, then perhaps I might.”
“If we survive this, I’ll make sure that you do.”
Tao was standing in the middle of the living room, a brown paper McDonald’s bag in each hand. “Not sure where to put these. The sofas are sodden and the dining chairs are a write-off.”
“We can sit on the table.” Which had, surprisingly, survived pretty much unscathed, despite its close proximity to the kitchen. But then, it was made from aluminosilicate glass, and therefore had a higher melt point.
He nodded almost absently and, as I drew closer, the heat radiating off him caused pinpricks of sweat to roll across my skin. Shit. The elemental was threatening his control again.
I stopped beside him and gently touched his arm. He jumped; then his gaze swung to mine. Just for a moment, his brown eyes were consumed by fire; then he swallowed heavily and the danger retreated.
“I’m okay,” he said softly. More to convince himself, I suspected, than me. His gaze slipped past me. “Azriel, glad you made it back.”
“So am I,” Azriel replied.
Tao handed me one of the bags. Inside were a couple of Angus burgers with bacon and cheese, as well as a large fries. I parked my butt on the table and happily munched them down. Tao didn’t join me, but walked around as he ate. It was almost as if he was afraid to stand still. Afraid the monster inside would seize control again if he did.
My phone rang just as I was working my way through the fries, and the tone – a somber funeral march – told me instantly who it was.
“Fuck, it’s Hunter. I forgot to ring her earlier.” Mainly because it had totally slipped my mind after coming home to find this place a half-smoldering ruin.
“And she’s only just calling you now?” Tao said. “She must be in a good mood or something, because she was in a proper snit last time she contacted me.”
“And Hunter in a snit is something I really don’t want to face – even if only on a phone.”
“If you don’t answer it,” Azriel said, “it will only antagonize her further. That would not be wise.”
No, it wouldn’t. I made to jump off the table, but Azriel motioned me to stay, then disappeared. A heartbeat later, he returned and handed me my vid-phone. I hit the Answer button and Hunter’s image appeared on the screen. Her face held no expression, but her green eyes promised death.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner,” I said, before she could say anything. “But things have been kind of crazy —”
“I do not care about your current problems,” she cut in, her voice so devoid of life it sent chills down my spine. “And you certainly will be sorry. I have warned you, Risa, about the consequences of inaction.”
Fear chased the chills down my spine. I swallowed heavily, trying to ease the sudden dryness in my throat, and croaked, “What do you mean?”
“You know full well what I mean,” she replied, still in that same emotionless tone. “I’m sick not only of your manner and attitude, but of the delays when it comes to the keys. I had hoped my actions with the Jorõgumo would convince you of the need to take me seriously, but it appears that is not the case.”
The Jorõgumo had been a spider spirit stupid enough to kill Hunter’s lover. She’d tasked us with tracking it down and, when we had, she’d proceeded to kill it – by consuming it. Flesh, blood, and soul.
It had been a horrifying demonstration of just what Hunter was capable of – and how far she would go to get what she wanted.
“For fuck’s sake,” I all but exploded, despite the fact I knew anger wasn’t the best option right now, “you’re not the only one after the keys, and the others are not only not of this world, but they can do a hell of a lot more damage —”
“Perhaps,” she cut in coldly, “but I am the one who lives in this world, and I am the one in close proximity to all that you love. Only there is now one less to love.”
And with that, she was gone.
Leaving me to suddenly wonder who the hell she’d killed.
Chapter 5
“What’s wrong?” Tao said. “You’re as white as a ghost.”
“Hunter has killed someone,” I said. “Do you want to ring Ilianna, and make sure both she and Mirri are okay?”
He swore vehemently. “I was just talking to her five minutes ago. Surely she couldn’t —”
“This is Hunter, so anything is possible.” My voice was harsher than necessary. God, what else could go wrong? “If Ilianna is still at the Brindle with Mirri, tell her to stay there until further notice.”