Hunted by P. C. Cast Read Free Book Online Page A

Aphrodite, who was still drinking directly from the bottle of wine. “You guys obviously know Aphrodite. She’s a human now, but let’s just say she’s not normal,” I said, completely avoiding the subject of her fresh Imprint with Stevie Rae.
    Aphrodite snorted, but didn’t say anything.
    â€œThis is Erin and Shaunee, the Twins. Erin has an affinity for water, Shaunee’s affinity is fire.” The Twins nodded and said hi.
    â€œDamien and Jack are a couple,” I said. “Damien’s affinity is air. Jack is our audiovisual guy.”
    â€œHi,” Damien said.
    â€œHey there,” Jack said. He lifted the bag he was still carrying. “I made sandwiches. Anyone hungry?”
    â€œCan someone explain why that dog’s in here?” Venus said, totally ignoring Jack’s friendly overture.
    â€œShe’s here ’cause she’s mine,” Jack said. “She stays with me.” He reached down and petted Duchess’s soft ears.
    â€œDuchess stays with Jack,” I said firmly, giving Venus a hard look and thinking that I could happily strangle her with Duchess’s leash before I continued with the intros. “And this is Erik Night.”
    â€œI remember you from drama class,” Shannoncompton said, her cheeks turning pink. “You’re really famous.”
    â€œHi, Shannon.” Erik smiled easily at her. “Nice to see you again.”
    â€œI remember you, too. You were with Aphrodite,” Venus said.
    â€œNot anymore,” Aphrodite said quickly, giving Darius
a look
.
    â€œObviously. You’re not a fledgling anymore,” Venus said in a silky voice that sounded way too interested. “When did you Change?”
    â€œJust a few days ago,” he said. “I was on my way to the European acting academy when Shekinah asked that I take Professor Nolan’s place temporarily at the House of Night.”
    â€œWow, I knew that High Priestess looked familiar. That was actually Shekinah!” Shannoncompton said. “I saw her just before she started toward that winged guy and—” She stopped talking and picked at her lip worriedly.
    â€œAnd she was killed by Neferet,” I bluntly finished for her.
    â€œWas she? Do you know that for certain?” Darius asked.
    â€œShe’s dead and I saw Neferet do it. I think she killed her with her mind,” I said.
    â€œQueen Tsi Sgili,” Damien murmured. “It’s true then.”
    â€œI need all of this explained to me,” Darius said curtly.
    â€œAnd this is our Son of Erebus warrior, Darius,” I said.
    â€œHe’s right,” Stevie Rae said. “We need what happened tonight explained to us.”
    â€œNot just tonight’s happenings,” Darius said. His gaze rested on the group of unusual fledglings. “I need information if I am to protect you. I must know everything that has been going on.”
    â€œAgreed,” I said, glad beyond words that we had an experienced Son of Erebus in our group.
    â€œWe could eat and talk,” Jack said. When I looked at him, he gave me a big smile. “It always helps to eat with each other. A meal makes things better.”
    â€œUnless
you’re
the meal,” I heard Aphrodite mutter.
    â€œJack’s right,” Stevie Rae said. “Why don’t y’all go grab some of theegg crates we have in the kitchen and some bags of chips and whatnot. Let’s eat while we talk.”
    â€œWould the whatnot be more blood?” Venus said.
    â€œYes, it would,” Stevie Rae said matter-of-factly, clearly not wanting to make a big deal out of the blood issue.
    â€œFine. I’ll go get some more,” Venus said.
    â€œHey, while you’re getting blood, grab me another bottle of wine,” Aphrodite said.
    â€œYou know I’m not into charity, so you’ll be paying me back,” Venus said.
    â€œI remember,” Aphrodite said.