The Hunter

My curiosity got the better of me. Scanning the occupants furtively I saw dark skin to light skin beings. Some with pointed ears, some with twisted snouts or thing lips exposing fanged teeth.

Monsters of every breed here. I noticed.

But turning my head a bit further beneath the hood of my cloak, allowed me to glimpse the figure sitting in the west windowsill. His booted feet resting on a chair beneath him. Men surrounding him. Ones that had been happily regaling the group with tales of their feats until I walked in. His hair was pale blonde and mimicked the shade of the moonlight peering in on the wide, indented sill next to him. Blue eyes were fierce as they stared at me unblinkingly.

Oh, no.

He must've nodded because the barkeep told me where to go.

I climbed the side stairs, far against a back wall. Turning twice, before they reached the second level. The railing dusted in gilt. And the steps trimmed in it. I suspected there'd once been a shining gold or red rug which had long since worn through to the point it was irreparable. That was typically the preferred colors of the Eternus.

They liked flaunting their power and wealth.

That was why I preferred hounds. The man-beasts, contrary to nasty rumors, were typically kinder and gentler than most other species in Ferus Country.

The tavern was built with the usual extravagance of a place made for the soul-draining, air stealing, Eternus beasts.

It was now a place nicer than most that the Hounds, the shapeshifting animals, and the dwarves and goblins of Endless Wood knew.

Making it their favorite place.

I reached the upper level and found the room that would be mine. Stepping inside I swung my cloak out of the way and closed the door. Sighing in relief I walked over to the chair and swung the cloak off.

"Hello, Baby Girl."

The words came from behind me.

I stiffened. Going ramrod straight. Knowing that dreaded, husky voice anywhere.

"How can you be roaring one moment and then speaking so huskily the next?" I whirled around to face him with a deep glower.

He shrugged. Tilting his head with a grudging smirk.

"How'd you get in here?" My hands worked in white knuckled fists.

Something his keen gaze didn't miss.

"Walked with you."

I knew what those cryptic words meant. Knew instantly what he'd done. From the time I'd left the counter speaking to the barkeep he'd been with me. Walking in pace with me. Expertly matching his movements to mine so I'd have zero chance of hearing something.

Something he's done to me before.

Then when I cracked the door, he'd have slid in behind me, even as I turned to move my cloak, he was a breath behind me.

Without me ever noticing.

I hated that he could move like that.

"How'd you find me, Gray?"

Jackson Gray was the most doggedly determined being in all of Ferus.

He wore a blue cloak, which matched dark penetrating eyes perfectly, draped loosely around his collar but was laced tight enough down the front to cover his gold chain mail.

Hiding the fact that he was the Commander of the Pyre Army.

King Eternus' most favored mercenary.

He was tall and broad.

Like something carved from stone.

His nose made of perfect angles, complimenting high cheekbones over a mouth which seemed perpetually tight with condescension.

Or is it only when he's looking at me?

"You seem to think I ever lose you."

I deflated a little. Knowing well, that when Jackson Gray caught the scent of something he wanted, he was nearly impossible to shake.

"Where's that hound of yours?" He glanced about as if looking for him.

"Lionel?" I feigned being unsure who he spoke of.

Though I know very well.

He grunted.

"You know well, I don't take him with me."

"Not on purpose. But he is a loyal dog." Gray remarked. The way he said it, making clear it wasn't a compliment. Tugging the lace at his collar until the cloak fell down his arms. He rolled it into his hands. Strolling thoughtfully around the room.

"Is that jealousy I hear in your voice?"

He tilted his head chidingly in my direction. Peering at me over his shoulder. Making a pale, yellow curl slide over his forehead. Though he was working hard to appear harmless, his presence seemed to fill the room until it felt stifling. He was meandering past the shutters across the room from me. And still, he felt far too close.

My gaze slid to the door. Looking at it longingly.

He brushed some dust from the windowsill as if considering sitting there. Saying without looking, "don't bother, Baby Girl. You'll never make it past the stand."

***

I glanced at it about two steps away and grunted. Probably accurate.

"How'd you get here so fast?"

"You don't move nearly as quickly as you think." He murmured. Rounding to level his gaze on me. "Besides, you know well I can move bout during the day."

"Ah, yes." I tapped my lip thoughtfully. "Still hiding that secret from your knights, are you?"

"Your attempts to threaten me are marginally adorable." He said boredly.

"It's not an attempt. How do you suppose they'd react if they knew you were part hound?"

He grunted. Amusement making his lips flash in what might've been an amused grin. Dimples appeared next to his mouth for less than a heartbeat.

He could be breathtaking if he truly smiled. I hated that I knew that. Hated even more that I was thinking it now.

"So beautiful." He walked over to set his cloak atop mine.

I looked at it disdainfully. Realizing it meant he intended to stay awhile.

He stopped just before me. Brushing his thumb over my lower lip. "Yet, so stupid."

"If I were stupid, I wouldn't keep getting away from you."

***

He gave a long-suffering sigh. "Has it ever occurred to you, Baby Girl, that I let you go?"

Yes. Actually, it had. But I preferred not to consider that.

His gaze slid down to my mouth. Looking at it hungrily.

"You're a pig."

His lips turned in a half smile. "You're trying to goad me."

He sighed, his hand falling away. "Always trying to goad me..."

He moved around me, beginning to circle.

Like a hungry vulture.

"It's as if you think if you make me furious enough, I'll go away rather than do what I'm going to do to you."

My head whipped to keep him in view. "And what, exactly, is that?"

He clucked disapprovingly in his cheek. "Don't play games with me, Baby Girl. You always know what I want."

"The same thing every other man wants from me."

"Are you so sure of that?" Still that low, husky voice. Indicating how dangerous he was. Making my skin tingle and fine hairs on my neck spike.

An instinctive urge telling me to flee, had me easing toward the door.

"Why do you keep looking over there?" He stopped circling to eye my profile. His hands leisurely locked behind his back as if he were an interrogator quizzing a subject. "Waiting for the door to magically fly open and beckon you to freedom?"

My jaw tightened and I could only stare at it yearningly. "If only."

"Come now. I thought we'd already established I'd never let you get that far."

"Why are you toying with me, Gray? Just get to it." I let my head lull sideways to give him an impatient look.

His voice dropped. "You know I hate when you call me that."

"What would you prefer? Commander? My Lord? Your Royal Pain-in-my-Ass."

"Watch how you talk to me." He lifted a finger. "You're pushing your luck. Pressing me may result in precisely that."

A pain in my ass? I winced. Not missing his meaning.

I clamped my lips closed.

"Good to see you still have the tongue of a sailor."

"Why is King Eternus still after me?" I snapped. Not liking the direction of this conversation. Or his superior tone.

He shrugged. Resuming circling with his hands still linked behind him.

Challenging me to bolt.

He wants me to run.

It was often easy to tell what men wanted. And I rather enjoyed not giving it to them.

I stiffened. Rooting my feet. Determined to not move, no matter what he said.

"Take off your tunic."

I glowered at him. Not moving.

"Take it off." He nodded toward it. "Or I'll rip it off you. Something I'm more than happy to do."

Of course, he was.

So, I obediently reached to catch the bottom. Tugging it over my head and slapping it to the floor furiously. Letting his eyes rove my naked form while I stared ahead. Refusing to acknowledge his careful study.

"Do you enjoy treating me like your slave?"