Kat sat cross-legged on the bed surrounded by paperwork and books that Lock had given her to read. She had changed into an oversized shirt that kept sliding off her shoulder.

Her eyes glossed over as she tried to make it through a legal form that outlined what her commitment to the Hunter Corps would be. It was hundreds of pages long.

Ten pages in, she gave up. She flipped to the last page and signed it. She didn’t really care what they’d be making her do so long as she could kill the Pale Man. Even if one of her new duties included having sex to heal incubi.

Strange. But maybe it wouldn’t be so bad; she’d be saving someone’s life after all. Maybe.

There was a knock at her door.

She slid off the bed, crossed the room to the door, and Darius stood waiting on the other side, wearing a suit even this late at night. Did he ever wear anything comfortable?

For a moment, he looked distressed, but when his eyes met hers, his face lit up.

Kat held onto the door, not swinging it open all the way. “What are you doing here?”

“I…” he fell silent, and his eyes began to burn blue at the edges. He took a step closer to her.

“If you’re here about the paperwork, I’ve signed it. Although it seems kind of silly, it’s not like you can take me to court if I break the rul—”

Darius reached out and ran his hand along her jaw, caressing it. “I desire you.”

Meeting his eyes, Kat’s heart rate skyrocketed, the thrum filling her ears. She had trouble making sense of his words. No one this hot ever went for someone like her. Plain. Bossy. Focused. Wild hair that did whatever the hell it wanted no matter what product she put in it. Why was she thinking about her hair right now?

The incubus’ hand felt soft yet strong. She lowered her eyes to his sculpted chin and watched as he leaned in, slow and careful. His lips neared hers. His breath smelled sweet.

Her stomach fluttered. But before she gave into the feeling she broke away and stepped back into the room.

Darius didn’t seem to understand what was going on. He stood in place, stunned as if he couldn’t believe the kiss didn’t happen. She took in a long breath and tried to ignore the heat that welled in her torso. “I flipped through a book Lock gave me about incubi. We’re food to you.”

“I—”

“Food. And no offense, but I’m not that interested in being your dinner. Also, you aren’t allowed to take me against my will. That’s the rule, right? Incubi aren’t allowed to influence hunters. We’re off limits unless we engage first. Or you’re dying.”

“Yes, but—”

Wearing her best I-don’t-want-to-hear-your-excuses face, Kat put her hand on the back of the door. “Well, if there’s nothing else, Lord Darius of House Tarrick, I have some reading to do. Please excuse me.”

Darius barely managed to step out of the room before she shut the door in his face.

She leaned against it and let out a deep sigh. Wow, he’d nearly kissed her, and she nearly let him. What the hell was she thinking? A meal. That’s all she’d be to him. He’d turn on the charms, have his way with her, then leave to feed on someone else. She had gone through that once in her life—not the being fed on part, but the being used and left part—and she wasn’t willing to go through it again.

She pushed off the door, heading back to the boring paperwork waiting for her, and stopped when Darius knocked again.

Kat almost ignored it, but then there was another knock, this time quieter, almost sad, if a knock could be sad. She gave in and opened the door.

Darius stood there, his posture slumped and defeated, his face serious. “I apologize for my behavior. I misread the situation. The last thing I want is for you to feel uncomfortable around me. Please forgive me.”

His apology sounded sincere at least. “Alright. It’s okay. But keep your hands to yourself from now on.”

Darius looked at his hands then clasped them behind his back. As Kat moved to close the door, he took a step into the room. “If you’re done with your paperwork, perhaps you’d like to take a tour of the estate.”

“It’s a big stuffy castle with lots of boring art. I’ll pass.”

For a split second, disappointment crossed Darius’ face, but he hid it fast. It amused Kat. This incubus wasn’t giving up, and the harder he tried, the harder she wanted to make it for him. Not that she would ever allow herself to become food, but his efforts were charming.

“Perhaps you’d like to see the academy then. It’s going to be your home while you train, longer if your team is assigned permanently to Ashwood.”

Yes. Kat wanted to get over there and start her training. “I would, but…it’s like eleven p.m.”

He chuckled. “We’re at war with vampires, who have an extreme aversion to the sun. Ashwood is fully staffed twenty-four-seven, but most warriors and hunters keep night hours.”

Oh.

Darius motioned to the hallway. “Come. I give you my word I’ll behave.”

Kat grabbed a jacket, tossed on the heavy boots she usually wore when she went out to kill vampires, then stepped out of the room, brushing past Darius. She nearly froze when his masculine scent floated past her nose. Part of her wanted to spin around, bury her face in his shoulder, and inhale him.

The notion passed when Darius led them down the hallway. “For your information, contracts are important to us. It is one of the responsibilities of this house—one of my responsibilities—to ensure they are upheld throughout our society.”

“What happens if someone breaks a contract? What if I got the runes then left?”

Darius turned abruptly. “Are you planning on doing that?”

“I—”

“We’ll kill you.”

“What?”

“If you had read the contract you’d know that. We’re at war with creatures that want to enslave, torture, and destroy us. We don’t tolerate deserters. If you want out, tell me now. I can help you. But this is your last chance to say no.”

Kat had thought about it. Getting what she needed then taking off to kill the Pale Man, but she didn’t want to be on the run from a whole army of hunters. Besides, what else did she have? Her family was dead, and the money her parents and grandmother left her was running out.

“I want this.”

“Good.” He resumed walking.

As she predicted, the estate was stuffy and old. Grey stone. Dark wood. Bold art. All the candles and statues gave it a total gothic vibe. It was spotless though. Seriously, not a speck of dust anywhere.

Every hunter guard they passed had on a leather uniform, but they were in all different cuts and styles.

Darius led them to an elevator. Kat lifted an eyebrow as they waited. “We’re like two stories up. Aren’t there stairs?”

The incubus looked caught off-guard for a moment, but he hid his bewildered expression almost as quickly as it appeared. “But…ah, yes. This way.”

Kat suppressed another amused smile. Darius seemed to have a particular way of doing things and having them challenged threw him off.

They made their way down the stairwell in silence and exited onto the first floor. It was busy. They passed a maid cleaning a vase, and when she caught sight of Darius, she curtsied and darted away. More hunters stood guard in this hall. They all pressed a fisted right hand to their left shoulder as Darius passed. Saluting, it looked like. Would she have to salute him as well? She wasn’t looking forward to that.

An attractive young woman with short bleached hair—she had to be a succubus—wearing tall heels, and a dress that hugged every inch of her perfect body, exited a room. A built male, wearing only leather underwear and a collar, followed after her like a trained dog.

“Lord Darius,” she said, and gave him a bowing nod.

Darius ignored her as he passed. Rude.

As if reading her, the incubus stopped walking. “I’ve upset you somehow.”

How did he know that? “Why did you brush that woman off?”

“Who?”

The succubus was already gone, but Kat motioned to the room she emerged from.

“Oh. She’s low ranking. I’m not required to acknowledge her. She serves the house as a feeder but isn’t part of it.”

Kat’s eyebrows knitted together. She should have read more of that book on incubi. But, it was soooo dry and boring. It had been hard enough getting through the section on hunter/incubi relations.

Darius, who had been keeping a respectful distance, came a little closer. “Social status and societal rank are important to us. They are…part of who we are as a people. If you wish to understand it, you should read that book Commander Lock gave you.”

Kat pressed her lips together to avoid saying something snarky.

“At the very least,” he continued, “you should know that High Lord General Tarrick owns and runs Ashwood and our entire army. There’s no queen or king for this territory, but the High King rules all of us.”

“Alright. I’ll read the dumb book.”

Darius huffed. “This is important.”

“To you.”

“And to you. You will be serving us.” Darius squared his shoulders a bit. Kat did the same to show he didn’t intimidate her.

“No. I’ll be killing vampires.”

A chuckle broke their standoff, and both of them looked over at a hunter guard, who immediately stopped laughing. “Apologies, my lord.”

Darius scowled and exited a side door. The hunter winked at Kat, and she smiled back at him. At least he wasn’t an uptight jerk. She was starting to get worried everything here was stale and formal.

Kat went after Darius, stepping into the snow-covered front gardens. Strings of lights illuminated the area, and the snow glistened in the light. Kat sharply inhaled cold air. The gardens were magical.

Unable to help herself, Kat grabbed a handful of snow.

“What are you doing?” Darius asked. He had to be cold wearing only a suit.

“I’ve never seen snow before.”

“Seriously?”

“I’m from Southern California, and my parents never took me up to the mountains.” Kat packed the snow together in her hands and chucked it at Darius. The snowball burst on his chest. He dusted himself off, unamused. “You’re not a very fun guy, are you? Are all incubi as serious as you?”

Darius seemed lost, his eyes darting back and forth across Kat’s face. “Most consider me fun. I’m an expert on humans and often go to their parties. I’ve never been accused of such a thing.”

Kat had a hard time believing him. “Do you wear suits to ‘human’ parties too?”

“No. I know how to dress appropriately for any situation. I’m often sought after for advice on such matters.”

Drying her hands on her pants, Kat shook her head. “Yeah. Okay.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that I don’t see it.”

“I am fun. It’s just…it’s you. You are—” Darius took a step away from her. “You are making everything spin, and I don’t know how to make it stop.”

Kat crossed her arms in front of her chest, squishing her boobs. “You want to eat me.”

Darius shuddered, and his eyes rolled up, the lids closing, and his horns emerged, ridged and twisting. “Ilertha, help me.”

Kat heated as she studied Darius’ features. His wide shoulders, his sexy muscles, trim waist, his predominate Adam’s apple. So completely man.

Her sexual experiences were limited. Unsatisfying.

She’d had sex.

Once.

Lying on her back, the boy climbed on top and clumsily penetrated her. He hadn’t lasted long. She had expected more. The disappointment only compounded when he dumped her the next day. Said she was too distant. Not what he wanted in a girl. He’d known that before they had sex and used her anyway to lose his virginity. Kat liked to pretend it didn’t still sting.

But now, she wondered what it would be like to ride a man like the one standing in front of her. To push him onto his back. To climb on top. To feel his—

She shook her head, trying to clear some of the fog. “You’re doing something to me. Stop.”

His head lowered as he looked away from her. “I’m sorry, I can’t help it. I’m young, and it’s something that happens when we get hungry. If it’s too much for you, I can take you back to your room.”

“No. I want to see the academy.”

“Alright, give me a few moments and I’ll be able to suppress my pheromones a little better. Can you just…go over there?” He motioned to a marble bench in the center of some edged bushes.

Sitting, she looked back at him. He rubbed his forehead and paced back and forth in the dark. Eventually, his horns receded and he straightened himself out, tugging at the sleeves of his suit.

Kat’s body cooled and, not used to snow, she shivered. Her eyes wandered to the estate. Rising four stories, the impressive stone structure had gargoyles on every corner, each a different design and in various, frightening poses.

“They’re real, aren’t they?” she asked as she heard Darius approach. “The gargoyles.”

“Yes. When I was a child, I used to lay awake at night terrified one would snatch me from my room. But they’re protectors of sorts and have an affinity for this place.”

When Kat shivered again, Darius slipped off his suit jacket and held it out. Seeing that he was wearing only a thin dress shirt underneath, Kat shook her head. “I can’t. You’ll freeze.”

“Incubi run hotter than humans. It takes a lot longer for cold to bother me. Please.” He held the jacket open for her.

She slipped it on and couldn’t help but notice the satisfied look Darius wore.

“Don’t get too excited, this doesn’t mean we’re going steady,” she said.

He chuckled. “No. You’ve made your position quite clear. Come.”

Kat followed Darius down a path that cut through the garden. They rounded a corner, and the well-lit front of the estate came into view.

The building could’ve easily been mistaken for a castle, and with the buzz of activity, she would have never guessed the late hour. She watched as hunters appeared and disappeared with eerie green light. A group of chattering people—both humans and incubi—descended the stairs and piled into a limo waiting for them at the main entry. The limo pulled away, followed by two black SUVs full of hunters.

It all seemed so otherworldly.

Darius led her to what looked like a second loading area, some distance from the main entrance.

A male hunter teleported in next to them. Kat did her best not to jump at the sudden appearance but failed. The hunter gave her a cursory glance.

“We’re going to VHA, bring the R8 around,” Darius said.

Without a word, the hunter nodded and teleported away.

A caravan of cars drove past them as they waited, pulling up to the estate. The largest man—scratch that—the largest incubus Kat had ever seen exited the center SUV. He had to be at least seven feet tall, and so wide he’d make a lineman look small by comparison. Handsome, too, with ebony skin.

“Wow, he’s huge,” Kat gasped. “Is he one of those warriors Lock mentioned?”

Darius took a step closer to her as if her question was an invitation for him to step into her space. It hadn’t been, but Kat found herself not wanting to move away.

“Yes,” he said. “His name is Lord Vassu of House Reval—the same house Lock serves—and he’s the biggest among us. You should see him in his true form.”

“He gets bigger?”

“Much.”

“That’s…incredible.” Kat tried not to gape as she watched him. And failed. She wondered if there was such a thing as a bad-looking incubus. She hadn’t seen one yet.

“Are warriors your preference?” Darius asked.

Kat turned away from watching Vassu ascend the stairs to the house, and looked at Darius. He wouldn’t meet her eyes. Poor guy. He really didn’t handle rejection well.

For a moment, she considered what it’d be like having him as a lover. Experienced hands mapping her body, warm lips trailing her neck, deep voice whispering in her ear…

Heat pooled in her belly and she chastised herself. She was here to learn how to kill, not get involved. Or become dinner. Or suffer through another empty sexual encounter. Maybe if he assumed she wanted someone else, it’d be easier on him. Or maybe easier on her.

“I don’t know if I prefer warriors. But if I had to look at him for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t complain.”

Vassu, flanked by hunters, paused and looked over his shoulder. He tossed her a sexy smile, then continued into the house.

She leaned over to Darius and whispered, “Did he hear me? From way over there?”

“Yes. Our warriors have exceptional hearing. They’re stronger, too, and have better reflexes than the rest of us. They…” He trailed off, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed a few times. “They fight vampires.”

A blue car pulled up next to them.

Sporty. Sexy. Sleek.

Kat didn’t know much about cars, but she knew this one must have been expensive. Like, hundreds of thousands of dollars expensive. Green glowed around the wheels. Magic maybe?

A hunter exited the driver’s side and tossed the keys to Darius, who caught them and opened the passenger side door for Kat.

Kat paused.

“Don’t tell me,” Darius started, “I’m offending you by holding open the door.”

A mischievous smile lifted on her lips, and she slipped into the car. “Just wanted to make you sweat a little.”