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Hunter watched Mike’s car for as long as he could. Even when it was out of sight. He followed it in his imagination, driving up streets he had never seen, to a house he couldn’t imagine, seeing only Skye’s face. The hollow that they shared was like a rock continuously punching through his chest.
Daniel’s decision meant pain for Skye. And what would this mean for Jarrod? Jarrod cared nothing for Daniel’s moods or Mike’s rules. What did Jarrod mean when he promised he wouldn’t return for Skye alone? Jarrod’s ever-growing human court returned to Hunter’s mind. Would he really lead them into the village if Hunter failed to return with Skye? If so, the outcome was grim to imagine: yet another stretch of empty streets, village inhabitants walking dull-eyed and smiling into the hands of his clan.
He and Skye returning to the sea was the only way to halt it – if Jarrod could be trusted. Once he had the two of them secured, was the threat he’d made against the village something he was planning regardless? Hunter and Skye in his power, and revenge on the likely descendants of their curser?
Restless and uncertain, with no need of sleep and nowhere to lie sleepless, Hunter paced the streets of Bannimor, hoping that motion would bring some kind of answer. His steps took him past the secluded bower where he and Skye had passed precious hours together. He stood there a long time, recalling the fall of sunlight across her face, her trusting eyes believing in happiness for them both. Her fear of Jarrod and the threat he might still present. She had been right to worry. Had she been wrong to hope?
He turned away from the glade, and from his thoughts, striding down the hill towards the village once more, through the lamp-lit silent streets. On Marine Parade he stopped, back where he had begun. The night, always grey to his Nemaro eyes, was now noticeably lightened. Hours wasted, and no closer to a solution. He growled in frustration, and kicked an empty can near his foot, sending it rattling along the gutter. If only he understood his own power, and how to wield it to set Skye free. The only other person who had ever seemed to understand his abilities, had used him like a plaything. He would never get answers from her.
An almost imperceptible movement from the shadows nearby made him turn. He saw a smiling, unwelcome face.
“Hunter, isn’t it?”
“Liam Noble,” he replied politely. “What brings you here? Out to greet the dawn?”
“You, actually. It seems we have a common acquaintance. I think you can help me with a problem.”
Hunter raised his eyebrows, “Indeed? You surprise me, Liam.”
“That’s a quaint turn of phrase you have there, Hunter,” Liam’s face tightened. “Just a touch out of step with the current vernacular?”
Hunter didn’t reply. Overhead a street light flickered off, then on again, the fluorescence garish against the growing light. Another followed and stayed off. Liam stepped closer, searching Hunter’s face hungrily. “You might be able to help me contact someone I’ve been looking for.”
“How so?”
“There’s that old-fashioned speaking style again. Odd for a teenager, don’t you think? But I digress... Hey look, I can sound like that too,” he grinned disarmingly, and Hunter felt the touch of persuasion press gently against his mind. This boy was trying to win him over.
“What do you want?” he asked bluntly.
“I lost a friend a while back. More than a friend. Someone I care – cared – about, deeply. I think you know what that might feel like. The caring bit. I’m guessing Ms Sebastian is why you’re around.”
Hunter waited.
“I’ve been trying to find out where she went. My friend. What happened to her. If I could get her back. Or make whoever took her pay.” His voice sounded like gears grinding on the last sentence. “And I just may have found out.”
“Which part?”
“All of it. Almost all. I just need you to see someone with me so I can get to the last bit of the equation. The making them pay bit.” His voice had become silky, and the pressure stroking against Hunter’s mind increased. It was impotent, but Hunter could sense its strength. This boy was indeed connected to his own clan, perhaps with powers to equal the Seers. Did Liam know?
“Who is it you wish me to see?”
“She said you were important. That you’re the only way to stop someone you want stopped.”
Hunter went still, his stomach plummeting sickly. “She?” Liam didn’t answer, holding his gaze. “Why did she – you – think I would want ‘someone’ stopped?”
“Because you have someone you care about too.”
Skye.
Hunter stared at Liam, trying to understand the game. Whatever Thea wanted, it wasn’t what was best for Skye. She’d tried to kill her once. At least in Jarrod’s plans, Skye lived, keeping the clan alive. Thea knew ending Skye would end the clan, which still included her, banished or not. Whatever Thea was, she wasn’t suicidal. Hunter was aware of Liam’s inherent persuasiveness stroking at his mind. It was entirely ineffective, but Liam didn’t need to know that.
Hunter couldn’t begin to guess what Thea wanted with Liam, or with him for that matter. Skye was as safe as she could be for now, with Mike. But if she was at risk in any way, this was the only way he could find out.
“Lead me to her,” Hunter said, letting his fears for Skye into his voice and his face, noting Liam’s relief and arrogant smirk, and followed Liam across the road towards the shadowed beach. Let the games begin.
