Free Tamed: A Huntress Spin-off Novel by Adria Wade Page B

yelled, demanding an answer. I couldn’t take the secrets. I needed to know.
    “It’s a long story. Not one I’m willing to tell at the moment. Long story short, I used to be a vampire hunter. I’m still technically a human. I just have supernatural powers.”
    “You hunted vampires!” Shock poured out of me as I raked my hand through my hair. “This is crazy.”
    “You have no reason to fear us. We are not the bad guys. You have to trust us and tell us where you went,” Chelsea said.
    Deep down, I knew I could trust them. My gut was urging me to. There was no reason to not trust them, especially Eli. Despite my resistance, I had to accept that Taylor was no longer the person I knew. Instead, he was someone who obtained supernatural powers and hunted vampires.
    I sighed. My body was drained from the night’s events.
    “He took us to this underground club. We were only allowed in because of Ellis. We had to wear this necklace.” I took it off and handed it to Taylor. “You have to get Andie out of there. Dead or not, she doesn’t belong there.”
    Taylor pulled me in for a hug, and I melted in his arms, comforted by his embrace. He kissed my head. “I’m really sorry about Andie. You lost another friend. I hate that and I wish I could change it, but please don’t let it ruin you more than you already are.”
    I squeezed my eyes shut and tried so hard not to cry. The grief was unwelcome. I didn’t want to break down in front of everyone, so I pushed it deep down within, where I knew it would only poison me more.
    With worry on her face, Chelsea exhaled. “You’re about to enter a club with a huge target on your back.”
    “It has to be done. If it was one of our friends, we wouldn’t hesitate to get them back, even if they were gone,” Taylor said.
    Eli’s eyes shifted from Taylor to Chelsea. “We’re going to need Athena and Lucas.”
    They nodded in agreement as a spark of hope filled their face, as if Athena and Lucas were the missing pieces to the puzzle. I guess, in a way, it was essential that they be involved in the dangerous plan to get Andie out of there.
     
    ****
     
    I sat on my couch in the living room with my foot tapping on the floor as I impatiently waited for Taylor’s friends to arrive. I found myself looking at the clock as time ticked by. I was trying so hard to focus on the movie that was playing on the flat screen, but my mind kept wandering back to Andie.
    Eli sat down beside me, carrying two black mugs in his hands. “I come in peace.” He shot me a smile before handing me the mug.
    Even though I was feeling glum, I couldn’t help but to return the smile. How could he make me feel good when I was practically living a nightmare?
    I couldn’t find it in my heart to be afraid of him. Despite him being a hybrid, he saved me and comforted me at my time of need. He was a good guy and I trusted him completely.
    “I’m not afraid…at least I don’t think I should be.”
    “Only when I’m angry.”
    “Oh, what, does the monster come out to play?” I chuckled as I joked.
    He nodded and took a sip of his coffee. “Yeah.”
    My smile broadened as he said it so casually and without any concern as to whether or not he would scare me away.
    “Well, then I guess I better watch out. Wouldn’t want to anger you, or anyone else for that matter.”
    “Isn’t that what you do best?” With humor in his eyes, he winked my way.
    I wiggled my eyebrows and grinned. “My specialty.”
    He laughed and shook his head.
    I leaned into the steam from my mug and took a drink of my freshly brewed coffee. The taste of cinnamon filled my mouth. It was warm, sweet, and so incredibly delicious.
    I smiled at him. “Cinnamon.”
    “I remembered.”
    My heart fluttered. I liked that he remembered.
    “Thank you for the coffee.”
    “Well, you look like total shit so I thought maybe a little coffee would help cheer you up.”
    I chuckled, taken aback by the bluntness. “Well, thanks. I feel like