Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 108721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
He jogs up the slight hill to join me on a small platform near the front door, set at the edge of the driveway.
“Where were you? I saw Drew run up, too.”
He shakes his head and pulls down his jacket. “Nowhere, man, just scouting things out, making sure the lanterns got set and that there weren't any major hazards.”
I frown as I watch him. The scent of liquor wafts from him in waves. “Are you participating?”
He smiles wide. “Of course. This is my final chance to get out there and play. Did you bring your little pet?”
I roll my eyes and sigh. “She's not my little anything and definitely not a pet.”
He chuckles softly. “Not your employee either?”
I shove his shoulder and stare at the small pack of runners moving and waiting next to the platform, surveying the people who will soon race across the lawn to the woods for the chase.
“Yes, she's my employee, but that's it.”
“I have a feeling that's not all you want her to be.”
The pregnancy test flashes in my mind. The image of her round with my child. Fuck. I can't handle this right now. “I don’t want to talk about her with you, or anyone for that matter. Elyse and I are not a thing, never were, and never will be. Whatever you thought you saw, forget it. It’s over.”
This time he checks me with his shoulder. “I very much doubt that, Seb. You two have something magical going on.”
“Oh, you're the expert now because you're engaged?”
His eyes flash cold, and his jaw clenches tight. “No, I'm not an expert at anything, even less love. I'm just telling you what I saw, and that if it’s obvious to everyone else, then it should be pretty fucking clear to the two of you.”
“Like I said, it doesn’t matter,” I snap and step up to the podium. My suit jacket is tight around my shoulders, and I shrug to try to shake off Lee's words.
The crowd sees me and goes quiet. I nod at them all and wave to the woods on my right. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please? The Mill House welcomes you to this year’s event. The Hunt is an annual fundraiser we put on every year. It’s a race for the depraved, filthy rich, and elite. You only win when you reach the cabin, and you must be the first runner there. Make it there, and the money is yours. If you’re caught…well, the person who catches you gets to do whatever they want to you, outside of causing bodily harm.”
There's some excited murmuring from everyone, chasers and hunters alike. I wave my hand to silence them. “As you know, every year we come up with new twists.” I whip out my fox mask and pull it over my head.
There's an echoing gasp and some laughter. Then I watch as the rest of the hunters pull masks out of their pockets and bags to place them on their faces. Some are animals, like Lee in his panther mask, Drew, who wears a wolf mask, and Aries, who is a bear. There are other animals in the crowd, each with their own design. There’s even one plague mask.
“You won't even be able to see the face of your hunter this year. Maybe...it will inspire our little rabbits to try something new. Perhaps it will give the hunt an added thrill.” I keep my voice low and seductive, weaving the spell, adding the magic they expect from one of The Mill events.
I keep an eye on the time and the sun, and signal to Lee, who grabs the flare gun on the stage. At my nod, he raises the gun and squeezes the trigger. It goes off, a sharp crack ringing in my ears that echoes out across the waiting participants.
“Happy hunting...” I say into the microphone as the runners race across the lawn toward the trees.
The hunters stay back a moment, giving the prey a head start. It's usually more fun that way. It allows the runners to hide but also plants the seed of winning in their minds. They believe they can succeed if they get a head start and think they’re ahead. It’s a psychological mind fuck at best, but it does what it’s supposed to.
Lee hops off the platform and tugs his hoodie off over his head.
“You should take the left quadrant if you're going to be on patrol. It seems only right since you seem dead set that you aren’t participating this year.” He clips each word, letting me know he's annoyed.
I grab the back of his neck hard and give him a little shake, then a shove. It makes him laugh as he catches his balance in motion and turns to flip me off.
“Happy hunting,” he mocks and then turns to race off into the trees.