Page 93 of The Order of the Bitter Hunt

“Forget about it. I have more interesting news. We have a professor on our side.”

“What? Who?”

“Professor Connolly. It turns out she’s been working on dismantling the Order for years. When she heard we were joining, she thought we might want to help.”

“You’re joking.”

“I’m not.”

“This will be useful,” they say, “ifwe can trust her.”

“We can. She’s been my mentor for years. She’s more than a professor.”

“If you say so.”

I ignore the scrutinizing look they give, turning and making my way to our shared bathroom. It’s connected to the room on the other side—nowhere near as private as Jun’s—and I long for his dormitory for more reasons than one.

“I’m showering,” I say. “You can continue bothering me once I’m clean, all right?”

“And I will.” Their words are both a warning and a joke, accompanied by a soft chuckle. “The bothering will never end.”

The shower brings no clarity, but the steam and hot water soothe me. The scalding temperature reminds me of stolen moments with Jun. It’s hot enough for me to feel it, which means it would scald the skin of a mortal being, but I bask in the feeling.

I know what being in the throes of early infatuation feels like, and I’m afraid I’m there again, even if I have no time for it. My mind won’t leave him behind. All I can think of is his claws trailing gently at the base of my neck.

Goose bumps form on my skin as I step out of the shower, wrapping a dark brown around myself.

Tobey yelling my name disturbs my peace.

Through the fogged mirror, I give myself a look of disbelief.

I slip on my fluffy bathrobe and wrap my microfiber towel around my hair.

“What could be important enough for you to ruin my shower?” I ask as I return to our shared room.

They’re silent, holding up a black envelope. Their fingers shake. “The next trial. That’s what this has to be, right?”

“No, no… surely my father would warn me. He did last time.”

But my name is on the envelope, and it’s one I know well.

I take it from them, break the seal, and retrieve the letter with shaking fingers.

Professor Connolly said the trials will become harder. Dangerous. I’m unprepared.

Margaux Cruz

l’Ordre de la Chasse Amère extends an official invitation to your second trial. This will be a test of strength.

Dress code: Casual and athletic.

November 11th, Midnight, Gymnasium.

Bonne chance.

“You’re right.” I show them the letter. “It’s a physical trial this time. I wonder what that could mean…”

“Let me get my camera.”