Hunting Tess by Kathryn Summers (best novels to read in english .TXT) 📗

fingers intertwine below the desk line so I know it’s something Stephany can’t view. The physical reassurance seems to calm him from saying anything else.

Sunlight reflects across her glasses and I wonder what she sees: a group of foolish individuals poking their noses where they don’t belong, or hardened warriors prepared to do what it takes to get answers. If I had to guess, completely random speculation and not at all based on the fact Parker is currently giving my hand the death grip, I would postulate that Parker and perhaps one or two of Grant’s team would do whatever they could for answers. Grant, on the other hand, still has a city to protect and doesn’t need a horde of angry vampires terrorizing Dallas.

“Based on your phone call I was under the impression you were wanting to meet with a patron or beneficiary.”

The man’s shoulders relax. Whatever she tells us will be worthless.

“Let’s start with your benefactors.”

“How do we know she won’t say something to the Master?” I utter through unmoving lips as we hurry down the two front steps leading to her door. Parker’s death grip has yet to lessen even without the presence of Stephany’s suffocating lies.

“Our people will be monitoring her.”

“How?”

Getting clearance to go with Grant’s agents was a challenge in and of itself since I don’t actually work for The Agency. Yet. I was allowed to come based on the warehouse episode and good faith that I will accept the offered job, but since I have yet to speak to Marc, it’s little surprise when Grant doesn’t respond.

“Where’s Pete?” Grant asks when we reach the others.

“You mean the hot head?” one of the women replies. “He stormed off that way. Looked like he was ready to take off someone’s head. And I like mine right where it is.”

Marc wanted another member of his team to accompany me and Parker. Pete volunteered immediately. And since I’m fairly certain Marc is actually concerned about Pete burning down a building with his fire sparking abilities, it was little surprise he handed Pete over for Parker to babysit.

“Did you see the guy sitting in the corner?” I say to Grant while Parker treks off to find his ward. “The one writing with a quill and ink? Keep an eye on him too.”

***

“Well that was a waste of an afternoon. If I wanted to be lied to, that conversation could have happened over the phone,” I grumble, dropping my bag on the couch. Parker flips on a few lights because the house is dark. My right ear has yet to pop since our descent and I rub at it annoyingly.

“Are you saying you didn’t enjoy Dallas?”

“I’m saying I don’t feel any closer to solving this thing.”

Parker abandons his quest in lighting every room on the first floor to stand behind me, placing supportive hands on my shoulders. “Every step brings us a little closer,” he reassures, massaging the stress from my tightened muscles.

I think again about traveling to Bulgaria. It could take weeks to learn anything of significance from Stephany Wares. There hasn’t been a vampire sighting in the area since Dmitri showed up in my class so it’s not like I can pummel out a few answers there, and now that I no longer have the distraction of school, every day that creeps by is a stark reminder I’m being hunted.

Turning around, I step into Parker’s waiting arms. He’s certain the Master has left Bulgaria but my instincts tell me to go there. The only reason I haven’t left is because I don’t have as much experience tracking creatures of the supernatural world as him. With his job he has seen more so I have to trust him.

Maybe this would be a good time to take Parker up on his offer from graduation dinner. It’s not like I am going to suddenly wake up one morning with the ability to accurately aim a crossbow.

Feeling much better standing in his embrace, I lean back to ask about training when his phone buzzes. A crease forms between his eyebrows which I have learned is his apologetic expression. Probably for cutting off whatever I was about to say as he withdraws his phone from his front pocket.

Even without my enhanced hearing I would be able to hear a panicked Leo on the other line. I quickly look to the clock which reads just after midnight before remembering he’s a security guard on campus.

“Hold on, hold on. What did you see? Okay, I’m on my way. And don’t touch it. They have poisonous quills.” Hanging up he shoots me another apologetic face.

“Want some company?”

“This shouldn’t take long. And I know for a fact that you’re exhausted.”

It’s true. Besides the obnoxious ear that refuses to pop it feels like a chore to keep my eyes open. “Why are you still standing here? Leo needs help with . . . something. I don’t even want to imagine what he described to you.”

Chuckling, Parker kisses my hairline before moving to grab the wallet he threw on the table. “I fully expect you to be asleep by the time I get back, Ms. Addams.”

“That makes two of us,” I agree. “Please be careful.”

“I always am,” he smiles, turning down the hallway. I wait until hearing the door close before grudgingly grabbing my overnight bag that I hauled to Dallas, naively thinking I would have some chance to see the city.

Turning my phone off airplane mode, which I discovered earlier is a problematic tendency when Parker is around to distract me, I’m unsurprised to see Eliza has texted me. Forty-seven times. Shaking my head in amusement I shoot off a quick message that yes, I landed in one piece, and no, I haven’t had the chance to read all of her thoughts quite yet.

Reverting to autopilot in my bedtime routine, I focus the majority of my energy on gossiping about her and Ben’s budding romance. Setting my toothbrush back on its charger I know Eliza could, and probably