Page 68 of The Order of the Bitter Hunt

This will end soon, but for now, he is everything I see, feel, and smell.

“It’ll all be okay.” His voice is usually rough, and I suppose it still is—but it’s soft now, a low purr in my ear. “You’re not alone. I got you.”

Rather than pulling away, I lift my chin enough to look up at him. His gaze is dark, inviting, heavy-lidded. His lips part as our eyes meet.

He’s close. It wouldn’t be hard to find his lips. And I’m searching, my hand moving to the back of his neck. His mouth is a breath away. He’s searching for me, too, leaning into my gentle touch.

Alarm bells go off, loud and glaring.

I jolt away, my hands muffling my sensitive ears from the assaulting sound. He follows, taking a step back.

No longer do we gaze at each other—now, we’re wide-eyed. His pupils are blown, his irises red, and his heart is all too audible. It’s as if his heart is trying to escape his chest. Is it fearor desire that leaves him wanting to run? Does he wish to run from me, or to me?

And more importantly, which do I want?

“Another murder,” I say.

The sound is a warning. Get inside or get caught and questioned—or become the next one picked off. That can’t happen. Not yet.

“My dorm. C’mon. It’s closest.”

Maybe we should stop and investigate, but I follow him without question.

Out of all theplaces to hide from a killer, Jun’s dormitory is a superb choice. I don’t make the mistake of ignoring Tobey this time. It would be hard to—they’re blowing up my phone when I step inside.

Tobey

You better not be dead.

Margaux

You wish. xx

Tobey

I really don’t.

Where are you?

Margaux

With Jun. We’re hiding away in his dorm for the evening.

Unless you need backup?

Tobey

I don’t.

We looked for clues, and there was nothing.

So we’re in the dorm now.

Margaux

Good. Stay there!

Who was it?