Hunter's Alpha (gxg) ✓

29. Athena

Anise is waiting for me.

She is setting on a velvet couch, shadowed in smooth purple light. She is dressed in a blazer with no shirt beneath and black formal pants. A businesswoman.

"I did what you asked," I say.

"I know," she says, and I shiver at the delight in her voice.

The lights glare at me, and I feel like I'm in a dream. Violin music plays softly, and it makes my fingers itch for something to write with. Anything.

"I'll bring the murderer back for you," I say. "I'll deliver him to you."

Anise's eyes glitter. She looks so much like her sister, but there is something more cunning, more manipulative, that sharpens her smile.

"I want him back in less than fourteen days."

"No," I protest. "I'm leaving Friday. That will leave me with nine days━"

She lifts a shoulder in a delicate shrug. "Your problem."

I grit my teeth. "Fine. But . . . can you give me any hint? Any clue? Who even is he, and why he is hunting the girls around Toulouse campus?"

"Ask your roommate," she says.

My roommate? Angela? She might be the campus drug dealer, but she's not a killer. So what am I missing?

But that's all she'll give me, so I nod and leave.

The mug of hot chocolate is warm in my hands.

Gianina's red lips are curved into a smile, and I can't help admiring the colour. That red was made for her.

"Thanksgiving is soon," she sighs.

I lean over the counter, sipping from the hot chocolate. "Is it?"

Considering it was only ever me and my mom, I can't recall a time when I ever had a real Thanksgiving feast.

"My favourite holiday," she says dreamily.

My head snaps toward her. Dressed in her apron, with her warm brown skin and her full red mouth, she looks ridiculously happy. "Thanksgiving cannot be your favourite holiday."

"What?" she says. "Food."

"Yeah but . . . Christmas. Presents."

"Sure, gifts are great, but turkey and roast potatoes and buttered asparagus . . ." She sighs. "Food is the real priority here."

Tommy slides up to the counter. "What are we talking about?"

"How Christmas is the best holiday."

Gianina presses her palms flat to the countertop. "No, we're talking about how Thanksgiving is the best holiday ever."

Tommy hesitates. "I don't know. Food or presents?"

"Okay, presents, but what about the Christmas tree and the colourful string lights and the snowy night sky?"