Hunting Shadows (Shadows 3)

I could see concern for them warring with his need to be with me, especially with Ryan around, but the depth of his feelings for Grant and Sarah won out and he grimly nodded.

“Fine, but I expect you to call me once you get there.” He turned to Ryan with a hard look. “If anything happens to her, I’m holding you responsible.”

“Last time I checked, I was the one who saved her.” Ryan’s tone was nonchalant but his words were meant to puncture, and they succeeded. Simon’s jaw tightened and his fists clenched.

“Watch it. I can still destroy you in the blink of an eye.”

“I’m well aware of that. I just wish Caitlin would realize that as well.”

“Enough,” I said in a firm voice. I leaned towards Simon and gave him a quick kiss. “Thanks for staying. I promise to call you when I get to the auditorium.”

I brushed my fingertips against Simon’s granite jaw and it relaxed imperceptibly, although he still looked angry when I closed the front door behind me.

“You need to stop provoking him,” I said as I braced myself against the chilly morning air.

“I just want you to see him for what he is.”

I halted mid-step and turned to him. “Stop. Just stop. If you’re going to continue with your antagonistic attitude, I don’t want your help.”

Ryan’s expression turned grim. “It’s not a matter of wanting my help. You need my help.”

I narrowed my eyes, not liking the autocratic tone of his voice. “Look, I appreciate you being here, but I don’t need your help.”

“Don’t you?” Ryan challenged. “What the hell would have happened last night if I hadn’t been there?”

I couldn’t argue with his logic, but his belief that I needed him coupled with his attitude towards Simon made my anger burn even brighter.

“Simon would have gotten to me in time.”

Ryan scoffed. “And what could he have done? He can only kill humans and vardogers in overtaken bodies. He can’t do anything against a shadow trying to enter you. Only another seer can destroy them.”

I took a deep breath, trying to get control of my anger. “Simon and I have survived a lot together without you. He would have figured something out.”

Ryan almost looked sad as he shook his head. “Caitlin, your loyalty is admirable, but it’s misplaced. You’ve placed your trust in the wrong person.”

I was done arguing so I just continued walking, ignoring his presence next to me. We were silent for the rest of the way, and I resolved to not talk about Simon with Ryan anymore. He would never understand my relationship with him, and a part of me felt like I was betraying Simon by even talking about him with Ryan.

My pulse quickened when we entered the auditorium. The far end of it looked exactly like what I had seen in my vision, right down to the bleachers. Not only that, but several people, presumably the fencing team, were currently practicing. For once, luck seemed to be on my side.

Ryan followed me as I made my way to the bleachers. I shivered a little as I sat down in the exact same spot that I had been sitting in during my vision. I had to admit to myself that I was glad to have Ryan with me. He sat down next to me and we watched the fencers without speaking for a few moments.

“Is anything coming to you? Does anyone look familiar?” He finally asked.

I shook my head in frustration. “Several of them could be the person I saw in my vision.” I sighed heavily. “At least there aren’t that many people to choose from.”

I had learned on the website earlier that there were only eight members on the fencing team, and they were split evenly between men and women since technically they were two separate teams. At least fencing wasn’t too popular of a sport at Maxwell. It was hard enough trying to single out the person in my vision from eight people.

I instantly ruled out two guys and three of the girls. The two guys were too short to be the person in my vision and three of the girls were too well-endowed in the chest area. There was no way I would have missed the generous gifts nature had given them, clearly outlined in their uniforms, that signaled they were singularly female.

Ryan nodded as I explained to him who I had eliminated, his mouth quirking a bit when I explained why I had ruled out the girls. I felt a rush of warmth when he casually glanced at my chest and I fought to keep my face expressionless. Instead of being insulted by his perusal, I felt my pulse quicken and I called myself a fool for reacting that way.

One of the girls that I had ruled out sauntered over to us but she only had eyes for Ryan.

“Hi,” she chirped brightly as she eyed Ryan with interest. “Are you guys interested in the fencing team?”

I nodded as I tried to think of an excuse. I hadn’t expected anyone to approach us. “Yeah, I thought I’d check the team out.”

She reluctantly turned her attention to me. “How much experience do you have?”