Axl’s darkughter 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. I’ve already earmarked three Onyx pledges who look particrly tasty, and I’d be more than happy to prevent them from bing immortal members of House Chó?ma.


    The pledges have a two-hour head start, and they’re 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 particrly effective, as is anything with sulfur. Surprisingly, ash, particrly 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 hrious, but burning entire trees has been—understandably—forbidden 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 alert—it’s not.


    The acrid scent of sulfur reaches my nostrils, but it’sced with something. Something strong and familiar that makes my fangs throb. Despite the horrendous smell, my mouth waters, and I know what’s 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 be 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 can’t hear me. Nor can Mchi and Axl. Nobody within these woods canmunicate through their bond tonight.


    Except one person—one man whose powers far outweigh any witch’s spell. But he will only hear me if he wants to. If it were Axl or Mchi, I’m sure he’d respond. Hopefully …


    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 tomunicate a world of disappointment. I’m 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 can’t 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 wasced 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 that’s a possibility, but I also know my cupcake’s 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 I’m 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 Mchi. 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. Alexandros’s words slice me in two.


    Then I was right. She’s here somewhere.


    I will find her, he assures me. Focus on the Hunt.


    I can’t focus on the goddamn Hunt. This is … there are no rules tonight, Alexandros. No fucking rules. I’ve never directed this level of anger at him before, but I’ve never been this afraid before either. We cannot lose her. Many pledges don’t make it out of these woods alive, and while our scent may protect her from other vampires, it won’t protect her from any wild animals out in the woods or from the other pledges, some of which would dly slit someone’s throat to ensure their own survival. Their ruthlessness is exactly why they were chosen.


    I will find her, Xavier, he repeats.


    I can’t do anything but think about her. Can’t 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.


    But—


    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 couldn’t 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? Hismanding tone brooks no arguments.


    As soon as I know she’s safe, I’m 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 haven’t felt since I was human, I head back in the direction I came from and hope we find her quickly.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.