A Hunter Rises by Anna Applegate

Author:Anna Applegate [Applegate, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-03-27T16:00:00+00:00

11

“Henry?” Nadia’s raspy voice stopped us all in our tracks.

We were almost home, and she was finally stirring. Seeley warily eyed the horizon. Dawn was about to break, and we were still a little ways’ away from the base.

“Go,” Seeley ordered to his remaining vampires. “By now, I’m sure they’re waiting for us and you’ll get in with no problems.” They disappeared into the woods, taking off to safety. The act reassured me that perhaps we were out of real danger, if Seeley felt safe enough letting them go on without us.

Henry set Nadia down on her feet.

She clutched his arm but looked up at us. “I can’t believe you did that.” Her voice was low. “Thank you.” She looked at Seeley as if thanking him for the sacrifices his men had made.

The metaphorical knife in my gut twisted harder as I watched the exchange. Seeley wouldn’t have lost his men if my decision making had been more rational.

“There’s no need to thank me,” he answered. “You’re one of us, and we protect each other.”

“We should get you back to rest.” Henry grasped underneath her arms as she swayed once more.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered and sidled up closer to her. “I can help her.” I looked to Henry; he’d been carrying her for hours, and while he didn’t look tired, I couldn't fathom the strength it had taken.

He seemed uneasy with the thought but relented quickly.

“This isn’t your fault,” Nadia reassured me after walking in silence for some time.

I sighed. She was the one who went through something harrowing and she was comforting me. “You guys keep saying that, but it is. You even warned me not to come.”

“You have the heart of a leader, you just need to learn more about the ways of this world. You’re still new to all of this.”

“I got that part,” I said, not meaning to sound snippy. “Thank you for what you did. I didn’t realize it was so dangerous for you to use magic.”

Nadia smiled, standing up straighter the longer we walked. “I hadn’t been very well nourished or rested. It wouldn’t normally take that much out of me. But you needed it, and now you have your own weapon.”

We walked the remaining distance in silence, coming into the clearing. Nadia stood with her head down and arms out for a minute, and soon, the doors appeared and opened. Seeley stood outside, waiting for Henry to enter first.

I paused, not wanting to face what was on the other side. I was already sick with guilt, and I didn’t know what to think of what Lars would say.

Nadia looked at me warmly with kindness that I didn’t deserve. I inhaled sharply and walked through.

The shit storm on the other side of the door was confirmation that I was in trouble. Andrew Thornton stood, looking wrought with worry and anger.

He had his hand on Henry’s shoulder. “What were you thinking?” he demanded. Henry didn’t meet his eyes, nor did he answer before a voice boomed throughout the entire house.

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