Addict (Hunter #2)(12)

Wells stopped in the middle of the hall. “You left your trainer without even a good-bye? How heartless are you, girl? Perhaps I should tell the king to train you himself. If you cannot form a bond then there’s no purpose in bringing me into it at all. I would only find myself involved with a creature who cannot love.”

“Would you?” I’d wondered about this for a while. Before Marcus and I had run off together, the king had talked about another academic training me. “If you trained me, is it inevitable that you would fall for me?”

I’d felt an instantaneous connection to Marcus the moment I saw him. While I felt the spark when Hugo Wells touched me, it was a small thing compared to what Marcus did to me.

Wells crossed his arms over his big chest and I felt the weight of his disappointment. “Perhaps not. I’ve trained three Hunters over the years. One of them was too old when we found her. She’d been through too much and I couldn’t reach her. She was cold. There was no way to touch her or form a connection. It was one of the most heartbreaking relationships of my life. I have no desire to repeat the experience. As I told the king, I have a mistress who I care about. I will not ruin my relationship with her for a woman who couldn’t even accept a man like Marcus Vorenus.”

I got in the elevator and Wells reluctantly followed. I pushed the button for five and grinned up at the vampire. It was fun to tease him. “Well, he is a large man. He can be rather intimidating the first time you see him, but I promise you I accepted him just fine.”

The vampire flushed slightly as he stared down at me. It reminded me that though Donovan might be a modern sort of man, most vampires were products of their times. Hugo Wells was slightly shocked I would speak that way, but he was like Marcus. Academics are extremely tolerant. “They didn’t even ask you his name, did they? The king and the prince assumed they would get their way.”

“Nobody but my uncle has asked me,” I admitted. “I’ve only been gone for a few months and my training has been…intense. I spend every minute of the day with my trainer, and when I sleep he’s with me, too. I’m not sure how they think I picked up a lover along the way.”

Hugo Wells sighed, smiling with a relieved expression. “What is the name of this boyfriend you light up over, dear?”

“His name is Marcus,” I said with a happy sigh. “And I doubt he’d ever let you close enough to train me. He does that personally. He’s also the tiniest bit possessive.”

“I can imagine. I’m pleased to hear it, dear. It will be good to have him back with us. Henri Jacobs is here, too. It’s been a long time since we three old academics got together.” The elevator door opened and Wells gallantly held out his arm again. I slipped my hand through it and we walked down the hall. “I hope Quinn doesn’t give him too much trouble.”

“He isn’t on the Council anymore. He’s only here as my boyfriend and trainer. Quinn will have to deal with it. I’m not giving him up.”

“I hope it’s that easy. Quinn is a funny fellow. He likes to get his way and he can play dirty to get it.”

I saw the door to my office and told myself I could handle Quinn. I wouldn’t let him come between me and Marcus. He’d already cost me Gray. I wasn’t giving up another man I loved because Dev Quinn didn’t like him. That faery would discover I could play as dirty as he could.





Chapter Three



My office was a lovely three-room space. It shared the floor with several other businesses serving the supernatural community that had sprung up in the Council’s compound. As we walked toward my office, I noted I shared space with a therapist, a doctor, a dentist, and a lawyer. A stunningly handsome man with pale-blond hair and blue eyes was coming out of his office as Mr. Wells and I walked past.

“Good afternoon, Felix,” Wells greeted the man who smiled openly.

He appeared to be approaching forty and wore a sport coat over his slacks and dress shirt. It was a testament to Marcus’s flair that I considered the man walking out of the therapist’s office to be somewhat casual.

“Hugo, good to see you,” the man said. He studied me for a moment and then held out his hand. “I suspect you’re Ms. Kelsey Owens. It’s an honor to meet you. I held your father in the highest regard.”

I shook his hand, wondering if I would ever get used to the fact that my biological father had been someone people valued. Apparently the simple fact that I was his daughter bought me some respect with a lot of people. It wasn’t a feeling I was used to. The man I’d grown up believing was my dad was neither respected nor loved. “It’s nice to meet you. I guess I should point out I’m not my father. I have an appointment with you next week. I’m sure my father wouldn’t have needed a psychotherapist.”

Wells and Doctor Felix Day both broke out in great wails of laughter. The blond shrink finally wiped his eyes with a shake of his head. “I have known few people who could have used some time on my couch more than Lee Owens. Just because he was a loyal and brave man doesn’t mean he wasn’t completely insane. I look forward to discussing it all with you over the next few months. See you soon, Kelsey.”

“It appears you already have a client, dear.” Wells nodded toward my office at the end of the hall.

The vampire’s grip tightened on my arm as I glanced down the hall and saw a woman in a pretty yellow skirt and white sweater standing outside my door. She looked lovely, but then Liv always did.