Hunted by Adam Slater

okay? Ed Bolton’s been waiting there for me for the last two days, and I bet he’d have a go at you instead if he got the chance.”
    â€œDon’t worry. My auntie and all my cousins live up there too. I’ll stand on someone’s doorstep and scream my head off if he tries anything. And I don’t have far to go after that; we live in the yellow brick house next to the station.”
    â€œBe careful anyway,” Callum said.
    â€œSure.”
    Callum watched as Melissa walked away into the trees, then took a deep breath and turned back towards the cottage.
    Time to face the music.

    The Hunter’s insides twist with hunger.
    It can see its prey now, so close, so close—radiant with nourishing power. The sensation makes the Hunter almost dizzy. It halts silently at the garden gate, poised for the kill.
    Then the boy steps squarely over the threshold of his dwelling place. Instantly, the tantalizing presence vanishes.
    The Hunter is baffled. One second it could sense flesh and blood and bone, ripe for the taking. Now it has disappeared behind the crumbling mortar walls as though it never was.
    The dwelling must be protected. A charm? Blessing? Curse?
    The Hunter slinks around the flimsy barriers thrown up against mortal intruders: the low wall, the wooden gate, the briar hedge. It leaps lightly along the roof of the adjoining cottage to examine the dwelling from above.
    No mere charm protects this place. It is enmeshed in a complex web of magic shields, cloaking it and guarding it. The flowers and herbs along the garden path, the guardian trees, are situated with accurate detail and woven together with spells of warding and concealment. The prey is well protected in its den.
    The Hunter pauses. Has this quarry woven this protective web itself? Can it be a foe with power that can be used against the Hunter?
    The Hunter considers the possibility for a moment.
    No. It cannot be. This victim is not dangerous; it is simply better at concealing itself than the others.
    But the Hunter knows that a mortal creature cannot stay forever within protective walls. It must venture out for food and the social gatherings that fill all human days. Sooner or later the boy will cross his charmed threshold and stand blinking and unshielded in the world beyond the garden.
    The Hunter will be waiting. It looks forward to toying with this prey when it is finally caught. An end to this game of cat and mouse.
    It is still hungry.

Chapter Fourteen
    Gran was on her knees, scrubbing at the spilled hot chocolate with a floor cloth and a steaming bucket of soapy water. As Callum came in she leaned back on her heels and said sarcastically, “How good of you to join me!”
    For once Callum had no doubt that he held the moral high ground. He stood with his hands on his hips and did not offer to help.
    â€œGran, you were completely unfair to Melissa. You didn’t even listen to what she was doing here, you just told her to get out! Is that how you expect me to treat your visitors?”
    â€œCallum, this is my house ,” Gran retorted angrily. “I won’t have random teenagers moving my furniture around and making free with my kitchen. I simply won’t have it, Callum. You ask first.”
    â€œYou weren’t here and I didn’t know she was coming.”
    â€œAll the more reason not to let her in.”
    Gran was being completely irrational.
    â€œGran, Melissa goes to my school. I see her every day. She’s in my class. She’s not a stranger!”
    Gran took a deep breath, obviously trying to control her temper.
    â€œHow much do you actually know about this girl?” she challenged. “Do you know where she lives?”
    â€œThe yellow brick house next to the station,” Callum answered triumphantly.
    â€œDo you know who she lives with? Are her parents still together? Has she got any brothers or sisters?”
    â€œShe’s got cousins who live in the new housing