Page 51 of The Order of the Bitter Hunt

“I’m meeting up with Charlotte. We’re running lines.”

Right. Charlotte. My stomach sinks. I stare at my plate in complete silence.

“You could run lines with me instead.” My voice is weaker than I would like, and then?—

He laughs. Jerk. “Why would I do that? Come on. Be so fucking real.”

I set the plate down, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. “You would be lucky to practice with me. I’m going to be Charlotte’s understudy, so…”

“Do I look like I give a shit?” He flashes a smile. “We’re already spending too much time together these days. Don’t you think?”

He’s right. I’m being ridiculous. Why, on earth, am I begging for more of Jun’s time?

“How right you are.” I slip on my shoes. “Hopefully, I won’t be seeing you again anytime soon.”

“Margaux…” A heavy sigh accompanies my name in his growling, infuriating voice.

“Don’t bother.” I open the door. “The damage has already been done.”

“Hey!”

I turn to look at him and find he’s on his feet as well.

“Yes?” I cross my arms, my hip popping out.

“Sit down and finish your breakfast.”

Butterflies. The stomachache he’s been giving me is butterflies. Damn it all.

“No. I don’t think I will.” I slam the door shut, and the paintings rattle as I take my leave.

For the firsttime in my life, I wish I had signed up for morning classes. It would be wonderful to continue avoiding Tobey in our dormitory—and I try my hardest to. While I yearn for a nice, soft bed, I drag my feet to the dining hall instead. Without looking to see whether my friend is there, whether any of my friends are, I sit at my usual table and fill a goblet with my preferred drink.

The bottled blood is cold and stale, but it will keep me alive. I don’t bother with the bounty of food spread across the table, focusing instead on my liquid diet. My eyes close as I lift the glass to my mouth. Once the first drop hits my tongue, I’m alert and energized.

How long has it been since I had a proper drink?

I swiftly finish the rest of the glass, not bothered with looking polite and pretty. By the time it’s gone, the room stops spinning. The headache from the sun fades, and I recognize the person sitting before me.

Tobey. Of course.

I dab a napkin against my lips. “How long have you been there?”

“Just a few seconds.” They lean in, frowning. “Are you all right?”

“Mhm. Never been better.” I take a generous gulp of water, swishing it around my mouth.

“I’ve been worried about you. Caldwell and I went looking for you last night.”

“Bit dramatic of you, don’t you think?”

“Margaux. Seriously? I could hardly sleep when you were missing. Why didn’t you reply to me?”

“My phone died.” A lie—probably. I haven’t stopped to look at it. “But worry not. I found somewhere else to sleep last night. I could tell my presence was unwanted.”

“You know that’s not true.”

“Do I?” I lean in. “Because last month, whenyouwere coming up with crazy ideas, I supported all of them. I went along with every single stupid thing you did. I went to vampire clubs and stakeouts and spied on you when you were trying to date an assumed killer. But you can’t support me now that I have an idea or two.”