“They raised you like warriors.”
“For mostly their benefit. Keep us fit and stupid and we’re easy to control,” Ethan chides, becoming more and more candid about his distaste for the Order.
“You did go to regular school, right?”
“I did. When my dad was sent out on location, he enrolled me in school. That’s why he became Sam and Julia’s legal guardian after their parents died. They wanted their kids to have at least a high school education as well, even though it was “frowned upon” by the Order.”
“So fucked up,” I mumble and cough again, feeling a headache coming on. I never had a chance to run to the tea store and get peppermint root for that wellness tea and I’m regretting it now.
The elevator doors open, and we emerge into a lobby. If you got off on the wrong floor here, you’d assume you’re at some stuffy law office.
“Hi,” a young woman greets us, looking up from her desk. “Name?”
“Ethan Bailey and guest,” Ethan says and pulls his wallet from his back pocket of his jeans, retrieving a card that has the Order symbol on the front and a single barcode on the back. He hands it to the receptionist. She scans it, smiles and presses a button, letting us through the doors behind her.
“They’re waiting for you in room 4A. Have a great rest of your day,” she says a little too cheerfully. I’m debating grabbing Ethan’s hand and making a run for it. Dread starts to build in me, and even though Ethan assured me there’s no way anyone here could possibly know I’m a witch, I’m convinced that’s what we’re here for and it’s only a matter of time before Ethan is sentenced.
The receptionist presses a button and the door behind her swings open. We step into a hall, going down a row of cubicles before turning a corner. A few people, dressed in office clothes, sit inside, typing away on computers. Everything looks so normal it’s unsettling.
Offices with glass doors line the wall, and other then one of them having a large Order sigil hanging above the desk, you’d have no idea you were in a demon-hunting organization’s headquarters. I bet that was the look they were going for, though the beige walls and carpet, which is nearly identical in color, reminds me more of a hospital.
I walk with Ethan down a hall and go into room 4A. It’s a corner room, with two walls of large windows, giving a breathtaking view of the city. The room is set up like a lounge geared toward teens but is trying way too hard. There’s a large sectional couch facing a TV and a few video game systems on the TV stand below it. Two pool tables are behind the couch, and there’s a little bar area with a mini-fridge and table along one of the windowless walls.
There are only a few people in here, and I recognize most of them. Sam and Julia are playing pool with Stephanie, and Ethan’s father is sitting on the couch reading a book. Two other men in their late forties are playing pool at the other table, while another drinks a beer and watches. Nearly everyone looks up as soon as Ethan and I are through the door.
“Finally!” Julia exclaims, setting her pool stick down and coming over to give us both a hug. “It’s so good to see you guys again.
“It’s been a while.” Ethan gives his sister a one-armed hug.
“It has.” Julia turns to me, pulling me in for a tight hug.
“Any idea why we’re here?” I whisper and she shakes her head. She steps back and I unzip my coat.
“What the hell?” Stephanie starts, eyes wide. Her short brown hair is pulled back in two low ponytails and pretty much everyone here is dressed in jeans and flannel with hiking boots, ready to go out and run through the woods after a demon at the drop of a hat. “You brought a civilian?” Her eyes flash. She knows I’m not just any old civilian, but a witch.
A witch who helped save her life.
“I was asked to,” Ethan tells her, going over to greet his father. David puts his book down and gives Ethan a hug and then turns to me, pressing his lips together in a tight smile.
“It’s good to see you again, Anora,” he says politely. “I trust the drive in was decent.”
“Yeah,” Ethan starts. “We didn’t have far to come, after all.” It takes me a second to remember the Order still thinks Ethan is living in the general Chicago area, not in Thorne Hill with me.
“But why would they want her here?” Stephanie goes on, pool stick at her side as she takes a few steps over.
“They made quite a team,” a man in a blue suit says, appearing in the doorway. “Or so I’ve heard. And I do hope you’re talking to a potential member with respect.” The man comes into the room. He’s tall, skinny, and pale and gives off a vibe that instantly creeps me out. “It is very nice to make your acquaintance, Miss…”
“Benson,” I reply. It’s no use giving a fake name. Not here, that’s for sure.
“Miss Benson. I’m Carl Stevenson, and it’s very nice to meet the young hunter who stole the heart of one of our most talented hunters.” He looks at Ethan, smiling like a proud father, though there’s no hiding the possessiveness in his eyes. And now I’m looking around for a fire alarm I can telekinetically pull so we can get the hell out of here. Because Carl isn’t worried about Ethan getting hurt like his own family is, no, he doesn’t want his prized hunter distracted by—gasp—a girl.
That’s why I’m here.
Ethan, who’s never been shy of showing a little, or a lot, of PDA, puts his arm around my waist. “She’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”
“Well, then she’d make an amazing addition to our team,” Carl replies, a fake smile still on his face. “Please, Miss Benson, make yourself at home and know we always welcome hunters from less structured settings to join our ranks. We are the most prestigious place of education and training for young hunters such as yourself, after all.”
“I’ll consider.” I force a smile, playing with the zipper of my coat. “Thanks.”
The guy smiles back, but his eyes lack any emotion. “Lunch has been ordered,” he tells us. “It will be here shortly.” Thankfully, he turns and leaves, though more eyes are on me than before.
“Ethan Bailey,” the guy holding the beers says, coming over and clapping Ethan on the back. “I haven’t seen you in years, boy. Look at you, all grown up.”
“I can say the same about you,” Ethan says and the guy laughs, patting his stomach.
“I have put on a few, haven’t I?” He eyes me up and down. “And who is this?”
“This is my girlfriend, Anora. Anora, this is Harold Keller, one of the hunters who helped train me back when I was a kid.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say.
“Likewise,” Harold replies. “I never thought I’d see the day when this guy settles down. David says you’re living together?”
“Yes,” I start, ready to launch into my typical over-sharing about how wonderful our life is on our little farm, but the words die in my throat. We’re supposed to be living in Chicago, not anywhere that can house a couple of horses and donkeys. “For several months now.”
Harold chuckles, arching his eyebrows as he looks back at Ethan. “In order to keep you entertained for that long, she must really be good at—”