Hunter Maximus

Isobel's POV

“Where are you going? What’s the matter?” Anthony calls out as I randomly sprint from the room. I don’t answer, fury boiling to the brim inside of me.

I should have realised Luke might find Maximus trapped inside the waste container. Now he was dead - and it was partly my fault.

I head towards Maximus’ room, short sword gripped firmly in my hand. Oh hell, Maximus was going to pay.

I make my way to Maximus’ room in lightening time. I slow as I stand out front of the big dark wood door.

Gritting my teeth I grab the door knob and swing the door inwards. I stalk my way into the room, ready to confront him, a long, determined stride in my step. I’m surprised when I don’t see him anywhere in the immediate bedroom and I hear no sounds from the bathroom.

My senses pick up a shuffle behind me, a whisper of air being sliced from a fast moving figure. A whiff of garbage...

Maximus!

I try to spin around the same time he successfully sneaks up behind me and puts an arm around my left arm and stomach. His other hand wraps around my wrist holding the short sword as he holds me tightly back against him.

“Gotcher!” Maximus says with amusement and menace at the same time.

I growl low in my throat, trying my best to break away from him but I have no room to move.

"You killed my best friend,” I snarl.

“Drop the weapon Isobel,” Maximus whispers darkling in my left ear, “It’s no toy.”

“No, it has a purpose,” I hiss, “Being stuck in you, multiple times!”

Maximus tightens his grip on my wrist and when it gets too tight I angrily loosen my grip and the sword drops to the ground.

“That’s better,” Maximus growls back at me, spinning me around so I am facing him, he yanks the remaining belt of weapons off me. He throws it to the ground and I slap him as hard as I can.

His look turns dark and I take slow steps back, narrowing my eyes.

“Why do you care so much about him?” Maximus asks, staring me down.

“It doesn’t matter - you don’t have to go around killing people just because you’re jealous.”

Maximus has the audacity to look hurt - looks taken slightly aback.

“Well I guess if you don’t want me - you don’t have to stay,” Maximus says this point blank - no emotion.

“I... You - ” I stumble, confused. He was giving up? “What are you saying?”

“You can leave,” Maximus shrugs, still showing no emotion, “I didn’t kill your vampire hunter friend, I lied.”

“His name is Luke...” I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest. Relief floods me - Luke was alive. Another type of dreadful feeling fills my heart, my stomach, my lungs. Why was it suddenly hard to think and breathe?

Maximus just stares at me - saying no more.

One second he wanted me - the next he didn’t.

Or was this just another one of his games?

I guess I’d soon find out.

“Fine,” I whisper.

“Fine what?” he asks, giving me a raised brow.

I don’t say another word, glaring at him I turn my gaze towards the door.

Get fucked, I tell him through our mind link, stalking past him I barge into his shoulder on purpose.

He doesn’t chase me this time as I open the door and slam it shut - not looking back.

I look up to the ceiling - find the pattern of roses and use my vampire strength to jump high to knock the top off and then I jump into the ceiling.

I was leaving - and I felt sick to my stomach. About everything. What was I going to do? I was a Hunter now, Luke didn’t want me either. I had nowhere to go!

One step at a time, I tell myself slowly.

For now - I was leaving.

Maximus’ POV

It takes all I have to let her leave and not drag her back in here and kiss her senseless. But I let her go.

Well, I wasn’t actually.

I was just testing her - seeing where she’d go. Where she’d end up. I could see in her eyes the hurt at me suddenly ‘not wanting her’. How untrue that was!

I had lived two and a half centuries - I had learnt that patience was key to getting what you wanted.

And I was going to get what I wanted.

My little hunter would stay by my side.

First though, I just had to prove that I wouldn’t always have to go chasing. She would come back to me - willingly.

Maybe not every time we had an argument...

...but this round?

I was going to win.