Page 36 of The Order of the Bitter Hunt

“It’s called a witch weapon.” I lift a brow, watching him expectantly. “And I have a witch who wants to help us make one.”

“That’s…” He lets out a slow breath. “Shit. That’s good information, actually. Good fucking job.”

I lean away with a proud smile on my face and a tingle running up my spine. “I know. That’s the level of excellence you should expect now that we’re partners.”

“Don’t get too cocky. This is just getting started. We know how to make the weapon, but one of us has to use it.”

“Right.” I swallow thickly, giving the building in front of us a glance. “Well, I have to go to class.”

“Stay safe.” He steps away, walking backward, never looking away from me. “And stop dragging your fucking feet.”

“Fine.”

And it should be fine. He’s right. But as I march to my next class, fear prickles at my mind like an old friend.

Nothing will ever be fine again, will it?

It’shard to believe Jun is part of our team until he arrives at our makeshift meeting. And I wasn’t even the one to invite him.

The four of us gather in the courtyard under the shade of a large Maple tree. Golden light of the setting sun flickers through the leaves, shining into Jun’s dark eyes, transforming them into something lighter. Nearly soft.

Ugh.

Tobey and Caldwell are wrapped in layers to stay warm, but Jun and I have the means to keep ourselves comfortable. I can’t exactlyfeelthe cold, and he has the fires of Hell running through his veins.

Tobey draws their jacket around themself, their eyes shifting around the courtyard.

We could have used a more private meeting spot, but the café is closed, and the four of us piling into a tiny dormitory isn’t ideal.

“Who invited him?” I ask, pointing a thumb in Jun’s direction.

He glares.

It would make more sense for me to extend the invitation, considering he and I are the ones who have business together, but that’s not the case.

“I did,” Tobey says. “I thought you would want him here. Aren’t the two of you in cahoots?”

“No!” Jun and I say at the same time.

Our eyes meet, sharp glares clashing like swords in a brief mental battle.

Hell.Arewe in cahoots? Aside from the word sounding ridiculous, I still can’t believe I’m working with him. Tobey is right, but I have a feeling neither Jun nor I will admit it.

I look away from him, shaking my head at Tobey.

“All right,” they say. “But we all have a common goal, so… let’s get along for the night, at least.”

For once, Tobey’s camera isn’t out. That’s how I know they’re taking the conversation seriously. We aren’t here to gossip, however much I would prefer to.

“Margaux told me about the witch weapon.” Jun jumps right into business, his eyes settling on Caldwell. “I assume that has to do with you.”

Caldwell nods. “My mother wrote the instructions in her Grimoire. It’s the only way I know to kill a demon, unless you have other information.”

For some, the words would be a power play, but Caldwell seems genuinely interested in what Jun may have to share. He waits patiently for the other man to answer.

“I don’t have shit,” Jun says, “but I’m willing to go along with your plan. Anything to take the bastard down.”

The bastard is his father, but I press my lips to keep from saying so. No wonder he’s so unaffected by my family drama, considering how muchhehas.