Page 13 of The Order of the Bitter Hunt

I force on a smile. “Kidding. It’s the best. Seriously.”

We order our drinks and appetizers, and the date continues. Once I shake off the strange feelings, getting to know her is… well, it’sfun. It’s what I wanted.

Alana is sweet, her voice is like a bell, and she laughs at every joke I make. She’s a wonderful audience, something any performer will surely covet.

It’s time for dessert. We decide to end the night with a drink too—a sample of wine.

But as moments tick by, the nature of the date changes… again.

She lifts the cup of red wine to her mouth, and my blood runs cold. There’s no reason for the feeling. Her amber hair catches in the light again, and this time, my throat closes.

Alana transforms—with fangs and screams—except she doesn’t. Not really.

It’s over in a blink, and she’s still there, as sweet as she was when I arrived. Her brows furrow, and her head tilts.

She may realize there’s something wrong with me, but she doesn’t know the half of it.

I can’t catch my breath. I don’t need to breathe, really, but my hand flies to my chest, and it’s as if my dead heart is racing.

It can’t be, but the feeling remains.

“Margaux?” Alana’s words muffle.

My ears ring. I can barely hear my name come from her lips. “I need—outside. I’ll be back.”

But I won’t. I zoom from the restaurant, with no intention of returning to finish dessert.

I’m still rattledas I pull into my parking spot at Strode. I didn’t tell her goodbye, and poor Alana must be mystified. She sends two messages, and I block her without reading them.

There’s nothing for me to do. Telling her she reminds me of someone is too ominous. No, I can’t face her again, even if she deserves an apology. An explanation. Anything.

It isn’t her fault. Amelia is someone I didn’t know until the end of her life, and now, she haunts me. She wouldloveto haunt me, too.

It’s as if I’m letting her ghost win.

I exit the vehicle, rubbing my bare arms as I move across campus, my gaze sweeping over the empty parking lot. It’s not yet curfew. The date ended early and unceremoniously, and I’ll be in my dormitory before eight o’clock.

Once again, I’m pathetic. Tobey and Caldwell are having the time of their lives somewhere, and I can’t even enjoy a short date.

A low voice comes from behind me.

“What are you doing out here alone?”

I let out a loud squeal.

Some considermeone of the scariest things on campus, yet I’m on edge tonight. A stupid prank from another student has me losing my cool.

My fangs pop out, my eyes flashing red as I turn to face the prankster. The sight of my monstrous face would frighten someone else, but not Jun. He watches me with that cocky grin of his.

He’s in full demon mode tonight: horns curling back, and dark, leathery wings to match, large enough to eclipse his sturdy figure.

Bastard.

“What iswrongwith you?” I turn, marching away from him. “You can’t sneak up on someone like that—and at this hour, no less.”

“It’s only eight.”

“Shut up.”