"You kissed me," I point out as Hazel pulls me to my feet.
"Shut them up, didn't it?" she shrugs. "Stops them from fighting in my room. It didn't mean anything."
"Okay," I say just as Shade appears, followed by Hunter. Both of them glare at Hazel like the enemy, and I chuckle as I walk around them. The party is being held in an abandoned house and I can't stop staring in awe at the building. It's falling apart, sure, but some kind of magic is holding parts of the roof and walls together, making see through rooms almost.
"Oh, no, you aren't welcome here," Amelia states, stopping right in front of me. Dressed in a near to nothing black dress, she looks amazing but I'm not going to tell her that. She crosses her arms, a sneer on her lips. "Leave."
"Honestly? Make me," I suggest, standing up to her.
"Woah," Hazel mutters and the guys all but laugh even as Hunter moves to my side.
Amelia's eyes widen as Hunter wraps his arm around my shoulders.
"Better yet, make me leave, sis," Hunter suggests. "I've warned you once when it comes to Millie. Don't make me say it twice."
"Why her?" Amelia all but shouts. "She is a hybrid and this will get you in trouble with dad."
"Really that has nothing to do with you," I say. "Hunter can choose his own friends."
"Yeah, you seem to like to collect friends you kiss, huh, Boots?" Amelia sneers and my cheeks redden. "No wonder all the guys like you. You seem easy if the rumours are true."
"That's it," Hunter growls and grabs his sister’s arm with impressive strength. We all watch as he drags her away and they both argue the entire time.
"I've never seen Hunter stand up to anyone," Shade comments, crossing his thick arms. "And what Amelia said is bullshit. She is just jealous."
"Totally," Hazel agrees. "Now let's go and dance, drink and be normal-ish teenagers for the night."
"Good plan," Shade agrees, taking my hand and making me walk fast with him into the house. The inside is crazy, all multiple levels of magic floors and a floating dance floor in the middle of the room. Heavy music makes it impossible to hear anything Shade says, but I get the gist when we get to the edge of the floating floor. He jumps on and pulls me up with him before wrapping his arms around me. We dance for ages, to many different songs, and soon the start of the night is completely forgotten as I enjoy this time with Shade. Eventually, we climb off the dance floor and make our way to a room at the back. Shade stops me in front of the door and points at the bar.
"I'm gonna get us a drink. Stay here," he all but shouts and I nod once. The crowd soon eats him up and I lose track of Shade at the bar. Turning around, I open the door behind me and step into a quieter room. There isn't much in here, Just a few sofas positioned around the space. I nearly jump when I see Hunter sitting on one. He is drinking something red and thick from a tumbler and I know exactly what that is.
"Hey," I whisper, and he looks over at me, lowering his glass. Hunter runs his tongue over his lip and smiles.
"Hey," he replies. I walk over and sit next to him, slipping off my shoes and curling my legs underneath me. "Are you thirsty? I don't even know if you drink blood yet."
"Yet or ever," I remind him. "Vampire clan classes don't go well for me."
"Me neither," he shrugs. "Something is holding me back, but recently it comes out. Only when I'm protecting you though."
My heart beats hard in my chest. "Thank you for sticking up for me against your sister."
He meets my eyes. "If you haven't realized it by now, I'm fighting for your heart, Boots. I know I have competition and I've never been a fighter, but hell, I am going to be one now."
"Hunter," I whisper and he reaches up, tucking a little strand of my blonde hair behind my ear.
"Don't give me an answer, I'm not expecting one. I just want you to know," he explains to me. "I'm not here for friendship and I don't care who you kiss. I want us to be Endgame."
"Like the movie?" I ask and he laughs.
"You like those kinds of movies?" he asks, and I nod.
"Guardians of the Galaxy is my favourite Marvel movie," I admit. "What's yours?"
"Hmm, that's a hard decision, but I always loved Spiderman," he tells me. "Now what's your favourite food?"
"Peanut butter cups," I say, remembering how nice they were. "One of my foster parents, the only one I liked, Mollie, made me a peanut butter cupcake once for one of my birthdays. We didn't have much money, but it didn't matter to me. That was the best present."
"Noted for your next birthday," he replies with a grin.
"What's yours?"
"Pizza with lots of different meats," he answers.
"I still can't get over how vampires can eat food and the movies lied to us," I sigh, making him laugh.
"We also don't shine," he tells me, but I figured that detail out.
Shade comes tumbling into the room, a few drinks in his hands and followed by Silas. They both camp out on the sofa. Even though Landon isn't here, this is the perfect way to party.
Chapter 21
The days turn into weeks, and gradually I begin to settle into a routine. Get up with the breakfast bell, have breakfast with Hazel and the guys,
