Page 16 of The Order of the Bitter Hunt

“We’ll do that after. I promise.”

“You are so fucking weird.”

I cringe. “Trust me, I know.”

Weirdis a description I wouldn’t have accepted before. I was always normal. Likable. Enough that the humans I grew up with never guessed that I was something more than them. These days, I certainly feel strange.

“What are Tobey and Caldwell going to do?”

“Maybe nothing—but we have to let them know.”

“What the hell…”

We’re far enough from the body that I stop and place my hands on his broad shoulders. “Breathe with me, okay?”

“What will that do to help a dead person? I don’t want to breathe.”

“It helpsyou.” I place a hand on his chest. “Let’s focus on you for now. Deep breath. Let it fill your diaphragm. I’ve heard you sing. I know you know what I mean. Come on. I want to feel it.”

To my surprise, he listens. His chest rises under my cool touch, and after exhaling, he takes another breath. Our eyes lock, and behind his gaze, behind the fear, he’s furious. For once, I don’t think he’s angry with me.

Maybe it won’t do anything to help in the long run, but at least my grounding exercises are getting some use.

At least I’m doingsomething.

“Do you feel better?” I ask.

“No. Let’s go find your weird ass friends.”

Chapter Five

Thirty minutes ago, my only concern was ruining a first date. Now, my biggest worry is what to do about yet another dead body. Oh, how I yearn to turn back the clock. A foolish, fleeting moment led me to believe I could date, and of course, I can’t. Not right now. Maybe not ever. If my imprinted memories aren’t what ruins it, getting wrapped up in these ridiculousinvestigationswill be.

And I’m fully, thoroughly wrapped up in this one.

Jun isn’t handling it particularly well, either.

“This is a shitty ass plan,” he mutters as we duck into the building.

It’s not the first time he’s shared the sentiment on our short walk.

“Do you have any better ideas?” I walk up the twisting stone staircase without looking back.

The Strode dormitories are as lavish as the rest of the school—little castles scattered about the campus. Plush red seats are placed around the lounge, giving everyone a spot to relax, and the crackling fire is enough to warm even someone undead—someone like me.

“Yes. Anything is better than this. We can find a teacher—Professor Stark is right in the lobby.”

Perhaps leaving him behind is the better idea.

“Look, I would have agreed with you in the past, but I’ve been through this before. I know what’s best.”

He snorts. “Doubt it.”

Before Tobey came to Strode, my father would have been my first call. He would have contacted the investigators for me, and from there, it wouldn’t have been my problem anymore. What a relief that would have been, but no.

I no longer trust the useless investigators after how they fumbled Poppy’s case, and I’m not sure I trust my father with this case either.

The only people I can trust are Tobey and, regretfully, Caldwell.