Axlâs dark laughter fades into the distance as he takes off in the opposite direction. I stretch my neck, enjoying each satisfying crack. The Hunt is my favorite night of the year. All that adrenaline and fear. The thrill of tracking prey before we devour it is a rush all its own. Iâve already earmarked three Onyx pledges who look particularly tasty, and Iâd be more than happy to prevent them from becoming immortal members of House Chó̱ma.
The pledges have a two-hour head start, and theyâre allowed to bring weapons, maps, or anything they think might assist them in making it to the final checkpoint. The smartest ones know that the key is to mask their scent, and to do that most effectively they need to get creative. Skunk spray is particularly effective, as is anything with sulfur. Surprisingly, ash, particularly from pine trees, is one of the stronger substances for masking scent.
A few years ago, the Ruby Dragon pledges set fire to half a dozen trees in their attempt to cover their scent, and a water demon had to be summoned to put it out before it caused a forest fire. In hindsight, the whole situation was hilarious, but burning entire trees has beenâunderstandablyâforbidden ever since.
I make my way through the thick woods, dodging the sharp branches and scanning my surroundings for signs of movement before I make my way to the river where the low-hanging fruit usually go in the mistaken belief that water is enough to cover their smell. Spoiler alertâitâs not.
The acrid scent of sulfur reaches my nostrils, but itâs laced with something. Something strong and familiar that makes my fangs throb. Despite the horrendous smell, my mouth waters, and I know whatâs causing my reaction.
Fucking Ophelia.
Willing my senses to be deceiving me, I taste the air and follow the scent, heading down the steep riverbank. I keep my ears tuned to the sounds of the night, trying to hear something more than the hammering of my own heart. With every step, I become more certain of one thing. My cupcake is in these woods.
Anger and fear rage inside my chest, each battling for dominance so much that I have no idea which one to focus on.
I am going to spank your ass, Cupcake! But she canât hear me. Nor can Malachi and Axl. Nobody within these woods can communicate through their bond tonight.
Except one personâone man whose powers far outweigh any witchâs spell. But he will only hear me if he wants to. If it were Axl or Malachi, Iâm sure heâd respond. Hopefully â¦
I close my eyes and focus on him. Alexandros. I need you.
What is it, Xavier? he responds immediately.
Thank fuck. I let out a relieved sigh. I think Ophelia is in the woods.
She what? With only two words, he manages to communicate a world of disappointment. Iâm used to getting that reaction from him, and I usually get pissed, but this is too important to let my emotions get in the way.
We warned her to stay away. She promised she would, but ⦠Dammit, I was so sure she would keep her word. I canât fucking believe she put herself in so much danger.
What makes you so sure she is there?
Well, my heart literally stopped beating in my chest a second ago. I caught her scent, and it was laced with fear.
And you are certain that you are not mistaken? His tone is clipped, impatient.
How I wish that I was. You know her scent as well as I do. You honestly think you could mistake her for another?
No. But the Hunt is on, and we know our enemies will employ any tactics at their disposal. Perhaps someone is trying to trick you.
I know thatâs a possibility, but I also know my cupcakeâs scent. I am absolutely certain she is in these woods. Equally certain that she will be on a fucking leash when I get my hands on her. I struggle to ignore the niggling fear that I might not ever get my hands on her again, and Iâm grateful when Alexandros cuts off my spiraling thoughts. I am headed to the house now. I will see if she is there.
Thank you.
Focus on the Hunt. We cannot afford to lose too many pledges.
He falls silent, and I scan the woods around me. How am I supposed to focus on the Hunt when Ophelia could be out here? I wish I could speak to Axl or Malachi. I strain to hear any sound of movement but hear only the soft rustling of leaves and the distant sound of a hooting owl.
She is not here, Xavier. Alexandrosâs words slice me in two.
Then I was right. Sheâs here somewhere.
I will find her, he assures me. Focus on the Hunt.
I canât focus on the goddamn Hunt. This is ⦠there are no rules tonight, Alexandros. No fucking rules. Iâve never directed this level of anger at him before, but Iâve never been this afraid before either. We cannot lose her. Many pledges donât make it out of these woods alive, and while our scent may protect her from other vampires, it wonât protect her from any wild animals out in the woods or from the other pledges, some of which would gladly slit someoneâs throat to ensure their own survival. Their ruthlessness is exactly why they were chosen.
I will find her, Xavier, he repeats.
I canât do anything but think about her. Canât you force the witches to break the spell? Just until we find her?
His weary sigh rolls through my head. We cannot put the entire Hunt at risk for the sake of one girl.
Butâ
No matter how much we might want to, Xavier. Nobody can know what she is. What she means to you all.
My head is spinning. Why the fuck couldnât she do as she was told?
We will find her. I will ensure that she is safe, and then you will get back to the Hunt. Understand? His commanding tone brooks no arguments.
As soon as I know sheâs safe, Iâm one hundred percent focused on the Trials. I swear.
Where did you first detect her scent?
At the fork in the river. I tracked it east for a few hundred yards before it vanished.
Then I will start at the river.
With a heavy ache in my chest that I havenât felt since I was human, I head back in the direction I came from and hope we find her quickly.