Hunter Mourned (Wild Hunt Book 3) (6 page)

Trevor glanced over his shoulder and nearly groaned, not over the knowledge that his living shadow had sought him out but at the sight of Rowan wearing a short plaid skirt and white polo shirt. She looked like a naughty Catholic schoolgirl, with her hair in pigtails and those black flats with the strap and silver buckle he was sure had some special name. He couldn’t drag the knowledge from his brain. Lust fried it.

“Why the hell can’t she dress like a normal person? She looks ready to star in some guy’s sexual fantasy.”

Zeph chuckled. “That’s the point. She’s shopping.”

Trevor whipped his head around to glare at the other man. “A lover? That’s what she’s looking for?”

Zeph’s grin faded, and a considering expression spread over his face. “Why do you care?”

Trevor hadn’t wanted to talk about his conflicting feelings for Rowan with Ian, his best friend. No way was he discussing them with Rowan’s brother. “Because she should be out hunting, not looking for some loser to pass the time with.”

“You shouldn’t be so quick to assume she’s looking for a lover. Calan ordered everyone capable out on the streets, and since this city has had an increase in crime, searching here is an obvious choice.”

“She’s using her hounds, the same as you are right now. While they’re prowling the back alleys, you’re sitting here giving me shit. She’s just passing the time differently.”

The hounds belonged to all the Huntsmen, but when they rode or hunted, the dogs were connected to only one of them. It was necessary in battle to avoid confusion, or so the other riders had explained. The hounds acted as an extension of their handler.

“I don’t doubt that. Rowan is an excellent Hunter. She also knows how to use men to get what she wants. That’s part of her arsenal.” Zeph motioned toward her with the mouth of his beer bottle. “Look.”

Trevor didn’t want to. Whatever she was doing would infuriate him. She was not a piece of meat to dangle in front of predators. “She’s just going to act slutty to irritate me. I swear she enjoys pissing me off.”

Zeph smirked. “You’re probably right, but she hasn’t noticed us yet. This is genuine Rowan at her best.”

“What do you mean she hasn’t noticed us? You’re demigods. Doesn’t that give you enhanced hearing and stuff?”

“Sure, when we allow the power of the Hunt to consume us, but otherwise, our senses aren’t much better than yours. Don’t forget, we were born to human mothers.”

That explained why Rowan’s muscles had tensed the night before as he’d approached her. She hadn’t known he was that close. Did that mean she really had been playing? What other aspects of her personality were hidden to the world?

He glanced over his shoulder. She stood on her tiptoes at the bar and was waving down the haggard waitress. Although Rowan wasn’t short, the additional inches the pose offered were necessary. The group of guys on the stools in front of her were tall. And wide. Probably football players from the local college. They all wore some fraternity’s symbol on their T-shirts.

The redheaded kid on the right turned and said something to her that brought a sultry smile to her face. She leaned closer to him and rested her hand against his bicep. After a moment, lust slid into her expression. She dragged her fingertips over the kid’s muscled arm and laughed. He slid his beer to her. She took it from him, caressing the bottle’s neck as if it were the guy’s dick before drinking.

Trevor dragged in a slow breath and tamped down his annoyance. Whether she knew he was here or not didn’t matter. “What she’s doing is demeaning. How can she do that to herself?”

“She’s doing what she must to save lives. We’ve all done similar things. Whatever gets the job done.”

Trevor faced Zeph. “You’re going to tell me you’ve whored yourself out to get information?”

Zeph’s mouth pressed into a hard line. “I’ve done so many times. You see how women react to me. If sleeping with a girl is going to get me the information I need, then that’s what I’ll do.”

“Why would you have needed to do so? It’s only since Raul stole Harley’s blood that you’re in a position of needing information.”

It was Trevor’s fault the redcap had gotten his hands on it. Raul had then given the vials he’d collected, along with cloths soaked in Harley’s Seelie blood, to Craig and his other two brothers, thereby breaking their tie to Dar, the leader of the Unseelie Court, and partially binding them to Harley. Unfortunately, she couldn’t control Craig or his brothers. She’d never taken their blood, completing the redcap bond.

What was worse, though, was the ambiguity the redcaps benefited from by belonging to Harley. The power of the Wild Hunt couldn’t sense them because she was mated to Calan. It made finding them harder. But not impossible. Trevor refused to give up. He’d track them the same way he had over the years since Ian’s human surrogate family had been targeted by the Unseelie Fairy Court.

“Redcaps and sluaghs are not the only evils in this world. Many humans fit into the same category. We can’t save everyone, but we do what we can to seek retribution for the wronged, no matter who or what caused it. We also try to prevent tragedy if we see a situation that we can alter.” Zeph motioned toward Rowan. “No doubt that’s what Rowan’s doing.”

Trevor studied the young guys who were drooling over Rowan. They looked like cocky little shits to Trevor. Probably caused trouble at their school—drinking, fighting, cheating.

“They don’t remind me of criminals. Maybe pricks, but that’s not something that should require a Hunter’s intervention.” If they did that, the Huntsmen would be getting themselves involved in too many humans’ lives. They’d never have time to hunt.

“Looks are deceiving. Did you notice when she touched the human?”

More like stroked him. “I saw.”

“We can see a person’s fate.” Zeph tapped his chest, the spot where all Huntsmen bore the mark of the Hunt. Zeph’s black T-shirt covered his, but Trevor had seen the dual-faced horse and hound symbol that linked the Hunters to Arawn. “If a human has committed a sin that will lead them to Hell after death, we will know it.”

Intrigued, Trevor propped his elbows on the tabletop. “How? Do you actually see what they’ve done?”

Zeph smirked. “No, we don’t see their crime, per se. We can tell what level of the Underworld they’re going to and can make an educated guess. We’ve spent time in each level and know exactly what those damned souls have done. Arawn is the one who experiences every single sin. The pain, the shame, the helplessness. He feels everything their victims had.”

Being a human, Trevor had never entered Hell or met Arawn, the Lord of the Underworld. Ian had talked about his biological mother’s mate, however. Well, Ian had described the black-skinned, winged monster Arawn could turn into. The god was strong and powerful, maybe even ruthless. “Why would he want to relive people’s deaths or their agony?”

“To judge the sinners who commit those crimes worthy of damnation. How else would he know what their punishment should be? Or if they’re worthy of redemption?”

Unease skipped through Trevor. He’d never committed a crime, unless speeding counted, but he wasn’t a saint. He’d also made mistakes. First letting Raul capture him, then allowing Craig to toss him into the fairy realm being the ones that haunted Trevor the most. “Do you have to consciously open yourself to those you touch? Or do you get flashes or something?”

Zeph grinned. “If you’re asking if we’ve seen anything from you, the answer is no. It’s our horses that can see, but they will only act if they deem the person a threat to the living. We just have to touch the person to know.”

“What do you mean—deem the person a threat to the living? Aren’t all murderers threats?”

“It depends. Our horses can see the future, but they don’t share their knowledge unless doing so will save another human from dying.”

“Not even when silence will hurt its rider?” Calan and Tegan would’ve benefited from their horses’ knowledge. Especially Ian’s mate. Tegan had been involved with a piece of shit who’d found his way into Hell. She would’ve appreciated learning the truth earlier than she had.

“We aren’t human.” Zeph drummed his fingers against his beer bottle. “And if you’re thinking about Tegan, that’s why her horse never clued her in on Bjorn’s sins. He was going to die before getting the opportunity to hurt another human.”

“And it didn’t care that Bjorn was cheating on her? Or hurting her?”

“Humans didn’t die or suffer as a result of his infidelity.” Zeph shrugged. “To our horses, nothing else matters.”

“Okay, but why don’t you just kill them, then? Why show the damned their fate?”

“Free will and our vow to the living. There’s always a chance for redemption. We can’t take that away.” The grin spreading over Zeph’s face offered a peek of the vicious Hunter he could become. “Unless killing the bastard is the only way to save a human. We’re allowed to intervene. Just not act proactively.”

Rowan’s laughter yanked Trevor’s attention back to her before he could respond. She had her elbows on the bar and her chin resting on the heels of her palms while she talked with another guy. The one she’d touched moments ago had his gaze glued to her ass. He licked his lips while Rowan flirted with his friend.

Every muscle in Trevor’s body tensed. “I doubt that kid knows anything about Craig. She’s wasting her time.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.” Zeph set his bottle down with a clunk. “Let’s leave her alone and go check out another bar. There’s a dance club around the corner. We haven’t been there yet.”

Had Zeph suggested that a few minutes ago, Trevor would’ve agreed. They hadn’t gotten anything useful here. “Maybe we should stay a little longer. Rowan might need help.”

“You’re kidding, right? Rowan’s vicious.”

“Maybe in her Huntsman’s form. Unless she’s going to embrace it, she’s only a woman.”

“She’ll be fine. Remember, she’s a demigod. Can’t die, and if she feels threatened, she can always call her hounds.”

That didn’t guarantee she wouldn’t suffer before they got to her. Trevor stole another glance at Rowan. The kid she’d first touched slid his hand around her waist and tugged her against him. She smiled and settled on his lap.

Trevor unclenched his hands and wiggled his fingers, easing the stiffness in them. “You go. I’m staying here.”

“I’m not leaving you alone. Remember Calan—”

“Said I couldn’t hunt or go off by myself.” Trevor jerked his chin toward Rowan. “I’m not alone.” And if protecting him stopped Rowan from leaving with that jerk who had his hands all over her, then it was a win-win.

Zeph shook his head. “Call me if she ditches you.”

“She won’t.”

“If you get yourself killed, she’ll never forgive me. You realize that, right? She’ll make my life a living hell.”

Trevor glanced at Rowan. The guy holding her slid a hand over her thigh, dangerously close to her crotch. “Leave, Zeph. Now. Before I make you regret staying.”

Zeph stood and took a couple of steps toward the front door.

“Wait.”

Brow raised, Zeph looked at Trevor.

“Go out through the kitchen or something. I don’t want Rowan seeing you.” She’d likely order Zeph not to leave. Trevor needed him gone. Rowan was leaving with Trevor, no one else. He didn’t give a shit what game she was playing.

“If I didn’t want to find Craig, I’d stay just to watch this damn train wreck between you and Rowan play out.”

For a moment, Trevor considered asking what Zeph meant, but the guy staring into Rowan’s eyes as if he wanted to devour her stopped him. “Now, Zeph.”

“Have fun with Rowan.” Zeph pivoted and walked away.

Trevor moved to the other side of the booth. From here, he had a perfect view of the bar. And Rowan. In another man’s arms.

Damn, he hated what she was doing, but Zeph’s words gave Rowan’s game another meaning. If she could somehow stop that kid from hurting someone or whatever it was he’d done to garner Rowan’s attention, then Trevor could deal with her actions. At least he could try. Nothing serious could happen to her in a public place anyway.

No way was she leaving with that guy. Unless she embraced her alternate form, she wasn’t going to be able to stop him if he decided to rape her. That would only happen over Trevor’s dead body.

The guy holding Rowan dug money from his pocket and tossed the bill on the counter. He stood, Rowan’s hand in his. She held her other hand out to another kid, who’d brushed against her a few moments ago. He hesitated, but she pursed her lips and said something that made him grin. With a guy on each arm, she made her way to the door.

Trevor cursed under his breath and moved to intercept them. She stopped walking and focused on him. Her eyes widened, and she scanned the room, no doubt searching for Zeph. She’d known who Trevor was going out with. He’d made a point of announcing it to Ian while Rowan had been in the same room. Trevor hadn’t wanted her to follow him. Maybe he should’ve let her. It would’ve kept her out of trouble.

Hands balled into fists, he stepped next to them. “Funny seeing you here.”

She licked her lips. “Yes, it is. Weren’t you supposed to be out with my brother?”

“Yep. I was. Now I’m not.”

“Where is he?” A demand.

The angry glint in her eyes promised Zeph would regret leaving Trevor once she got her hands on him. “Not here.”

“Did he leave you?”

“Is this guy your boyfriend or something?” the kid on her right asked.

“He’s—”

“I’m her something.” Trevor cut her off, then snatched her hand. “And she’s staying with me.”

He yanked her into his arms and locked her to his body with an arm around her waist. She pressed her gloved hands against his chest and pushed. “Let me go.”

“Tell your friends to leave.”

She stared at him for an endless moment. Whatever she saw in his expression eased the annoyance he’d seen in her eyes when he’d first approached her. He couldn’t be certain what showed since he wasn’t sure he knew what he felt. Anger, maybe? Or hunger and possessiveness? He didn’t know. The only thing he was positive about was that her game was over for the night.

Without breaking their gaze, she said, “Dream of me tonight, boys. It’ll be the most important dream you’ll ever have.”