Page 81 of Hunt Me

“He was being facetious, and you know it.”

“It is as they always say: say what you mean, mean what you say. Which corridor will lead me to him?”

“The second to the left,” he answered reluctantly. Matilda took the path with sure and steady feet. Her nose wrinkled in disgust with every step, and she nearly plugged her fingers into her ears to block out the sound of the squeaking rats milling about looking for food and water. They finally arrived at a large cell that housed their prisoner.

“Have you finally grown weary of the vamp and have come to see me, huntress?”

“The torture has made you delusional,” she remarked, pressing her face between the bars.

“No more than yourself. We could’ve been good together, you and I,” he said in a raspiness created by mold, dehydration, and weakness.

“And what was that in the woods? Were you just following orders?”

“Something like that,” he commented. “You need something from me, huntress?”

“I do, but do you mind answering a question first?”

“What is there for me to gain in turn?”

“Nothing. I can get what I want from you without your consent. I’m sure Dr. Blackwood wouldn’t mind retrieving it for me.”

David fought weakly against his restraints in protest. Matilda tsked at the number Dr. Blackwood did on the beta, but if she had a gold coin for every enemy she felt sorrow for, she’d have a single coin. David’s once wavy hair was shaved close to his head. His mountainous form had withered down to a sinewy version of his former glory, and various unhealed cuts littered his body. “Why hasn’t Prince Lykaon come for you? They’ve been eerily silent.”

“If you are killed, you are weak. If you are captured, you might as well be dead,” David recited.

“Hmph. And they say there is no loyalty amongst thieves.”

“I’m certain Delta Loic has been promoted to my position. Is Prince Lykaon planning a hostile takeover? Aye, but it will not be soon. He is waiting for something.”

“What is that something?”

“I am not pressed to say. What is the nature of your visit?”

“Unlock the cage, Ezra.”

“I will not! Are you mad?”

“A little. Now, do as I say, or I’ll force Luka to turn me, and I’ll call you Ezzy for the rest of eternity.” Ezra shoved the key in the lock faster than the speed of light and prayed she’d remain human. “Thank you.”

Matilda’s long robe trailed behind her into the deplorable conditions of the cell. “Misbehave, and I’ll kick a hole in your chest. Do we have an understanding?” she challenged, speaking to the fallen wolf.

“I understand.”

“Wonderful. This is for you,” she said, retrieving a muffin from a pocket.

“Again, with the food in your pockets. You’ll have rats nibbling on you at night,” Ezra admonished.

“Rats? Vampires? What is the difference? Please enjoy this treat. Our cook Armando is the best. He is a tattle, but his baking is extraordinary.” David eagerly snatched the muffin from her hand and gobbled it down. “My word. There could’ve been poison in it.”

“I am ready to die.”

“I am not ready for you to die. I still need you.”

“What could you possibly need from me, huntress?”

“I need your blood.”

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