Page 62 of The Order of the Bitter Hunt

As long as they don’t bring up my father’s involvement.

Jun stands on the stage,wearing an annoying smirk. “Looks like you got what you wanted after all.”

After a strange few days, returning to classes and rehearsals is odd. The looming promise of trials follows me, but so do Professor Connolly’s words. Even if the ship is sinking, Iwillfind my fire again. Ending the death around Strode is one part, but continuing to entertain and give hope while I’m here is, too.

It’s at least of secondary importance.

I have no clue what Jun is chattering about. We’re supposed to work together, in many ways, but he makes it so hard.

“What are you saying?” I ask.

“Charlotte is sick. They’re probably going to ask you to fill in for rehearsals.”

A spark of hope ignites in me. Maybe it’s the fire I’ve been looking for. This doesn’t mean anything for opening night and the shows beyond, but it gives me an opportunity to remember what success tastes like.

“Really?” I ask with stars in my eyes. “I swear, I’ve been practicing her lines whenever I can?—”

“Don’t get too excited, princess.” He leans in and whispers, “This is temporary.”

“But, of course.”

“Do you think you can pretend to like me long enough to do this?”

If my talent won’t get me through the rehearsal, defiance will.

“I’m going to make Professor Connolly regret casting Charlotte for the part. That’s how well I’m going to do.”

“You’re fucking devious.” He’s laughing as he steps away, moving into position.

I’ve always been devious with my craft. There’s little I’m unwilling to do if it means bettering myself as an actress. Some may have slipped through the cracks when life or death became a factor because…

Well, it’sthisattitude that may have led to Poppy’s death. Maybe if I spent more time with Poppy, she wouldn’t have run off to cohort with other vampires. Dangerous vampires, like Amelia.

“What scene are we performing?” I ask, peering at Professor Connolly.

She sits at a table beneath the stage, watching with a curious expression. “Today, you’ll work on the moment after Henry is stabbed. Remember, he’s nearly gone. Your greatest love is at the brink of death. Make me feel it. I want to see emotion, love, and tension—as you, Ella, heal him with your magic.”

Ah, yes… it’s an intimate scene.

The room is nearly empty, with only a few other students scattered about. Jun sprawls out on the floor, holding his side, and a low hiss falls past his lips.

“My sweet angel,” I breathe. “What happened? Who could have done this to you?”

My hands rest on top of his.

When his eyes meet mine, it’s with pain—and intensity, the longing of centuries flowing between us.

Like a switch, we’ve turned off who we were and become someone new. These are the moments I feel closest to Jun. On stage, we can move away from our mutual frustrations and step into being another person, playing another role, and living another life.

“Do not think of me,” he says. “You must go. If something happens to you, I cannot find my way to heaven.”

An ironic line for a demon to deliver, but he does so with ease.

“Nor can I,” I say. “Ascending to heaven without you is something I cannot fathom.”

“Do not fret about my fate.”

“Hush.” I push his hands out of the way. “Don’t say such things. If anything is to happen to you, it happens to me as well. Give me the name of the one who took your life. If I cannot save you, I will avenge you.”