Page 47 of The Order of the Bitter Hunt

Anyone on campus can be a part of it, and if they know we’re trying to take it down from the inside, our quest is over before it’s begun. The only reason it’s so easy for me to get in is my tie to my father, but he’s a wise man. If I step one toe out of line, if he suspects I’m not there for the immortality or that I’m not ready… it’s over.

How am I supposed to pretend I want this? Immortality without the people you love is my idea of hell.

My gaze falls to Tobey, where they’re perched on their bed, their legs crisscrossed, wearing a serious expression. Someday, somehow, I could lose them.

The best-case scenario is losing them to old age, but even that will be a tragedy. Accepting their death is one thing, but knowing I will soon have an elixir of eternal life in my fangs… that I could turn them…

I shake my head. No. I would never.

Caldwell sits next to them on their bed, and Jun perches on the only chair in the room, a wooden seat near our shared desk.

The silence stretches between us. No one has spoken since Jun and I relayed the information from the meeting. Tobey’s lips press into a tight line, and they’ve been like that for nearly a minute.

“Caldwell can join too,” I say, trying to offer something like an olive branch. My voice is upbeat, and I fix them both with a polite smile.

Caldwell glares.

Tobey shakes their head vigorously. “Absolutely not! We shouldn’t mess around with this. It’s bad enough that the two of you are signing up for it so easily.”

“We aren’t ‘signing up’ for anything,” Jun drawls. “It’s not so simple. We’re there to gather information, and if we find nothing, it’s over. Easy.”

Tobey knows a thing or two about collecting intel in dangerous ways, but that doesn’t stop the frown taking her face.

“I doubt it will be so easy,” Caldwell says, pushing his glasses up his straight nose. “This sounds dangerous. You must understand why we’re reluctant.”

“I do.” I nod. “And that’s fine. I’ve been reluctant aboutyourplans. If you don’t wish to join us, we have no intention of forcing you. Jun and I will be fine on our own. We have the witch weapon, and we can take care of anything else that comes our way.”

“I hope you’re right,” Tobey says.

“No. You’ll not makemeout to be the reckless one.” I roll my eyes. “Are we going to forget all the things you did? Dating the murderer? Snooping alone? You’re still here, at Strode—that’scareless.”

“I’m not a murderer,” Caldwell mumbles.

“Oh, but I can keep going. Running off to vampire clubs—alone—with the murderer? I’m not trying to make you feel bad, Tobey. I’m trying to make a point. The risks you took were worth it. They’re the reason we’re alive. Now, it’s my turn to take a risk or two.”

Caldwell lets out a slow sigh. His pocket watch ticks.

“You’re right,” they say. “And I guess it’s my turn to worry about you.”

“I guess it is.”

After a moment of silence, Jun says, “You dated a murderer?”

“It’s a long story,” I say.

“I’ll fill you in another time.” Tobey smiles politely. “But the short answer is… no. I didn’t. Not really.”

All Tobey and Jun had in common was Amelia—their mutual friend, theactualmurderer—and it’s funny to see them make attempts at amiability now that she’s gone.

“I’m happy to have moved on from it,” I say. “And now, I’m going to be the one to avenge Poppy—and your mother.”

It feels like the right thing to say… until I realize how Tobey and Caldwell are looking at me.

Tobey’s expression goes flat, and hurt flashes behind Caldwell’s eyes.

“I’m not doing this for revenge anymore,” Tobey says.

“Sure. Of course, you’re not.” I chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. “Saint Tobey. Whatever you’re doing it for, I’m going to solve it. That’s all.”