Page 150 of Hunted

The whole room becomes claws and murder held one breath from detonation.

Rafe, infuriatingly, grins. ‘Way to show your hand, brother.’

Valentin’s voice drops low enough to raise every hair on my arms. ‘Think of laying a hand on her and you will discover how slowly I can remove yours.’

Rafe’s brows lift. ‘Are you sure she is merely hunting on your behalf?’

Valentin says nothing. The silence answers too much.

Rafe’s grin widens. ‘Or is she hunting you?’

Valentin bares his fangs and shoves him clear across the room.

Rafe lands on his feet, smooth and unbothered, adjusting his collar as if dismemberment threats are a social inconvenience.

Valentin straightens his cuffs.

The Twelve stand down at some silent signal, returning to lethal stillness.

‘This meeting is over,’ Valentin says. ‘You have until midnight. After that, your presence in my territory becomes unwise.’

‘So hostile,’ Rafe drawls. ‘After all I’ve done.’

‘It is because of the help you offered that I’ve extended your stay. Otherwise you would be gone before sundown.’

‘And your sireds will be watching every move?’

Valentin does not answer.

When Rafe’s gaze shifts to me again, Valentin steps smoothly into his line of sight.

Absolute. Possessive. Wordless.

Rafe’s grin turns delighted.

And then the air changes again, quietly and sharply, as though words are too crude for what comes next.

Valentin

Goodbye, Rafe.

He ignores the dismissal.

Not quite yet, brother. I gather you’ve heard from Vale recently too, Rafael says into my mind, as if we are discussing stocks instead of murder blood.

I keep my face impassive. Lord Dorian speaks too much.

That he does. But he has… interesting opinions about what you are hiding.

Speculate as much as you wish. Out of my sight and out of my city.

His amusement curls through the link like smoke. So it’s true. Something in New York’s making you snarl.

When I do not answer, his gaze flicks again to Eira, and I feel the old, ugly possessiveness tighten.

Do not test me further today. She is mine.

Rafael’s satisfaction is palpable. Noted. I’ll be in touch with the price for the names.