Unlikely Alliance: A Humble Hill Story Chapter 8

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Eli had misjudged the modern era. He tried not to let himself sulk in public as he only half listens to the town’s latest gossip. Most seemed to revolve around how wonderfully sweet that new Hunter was. The foolish human had even gone as far as helping the elderly carry their groceries. Who even acted like that? He held back a growl as he listened to Selene tell him more about how Alec had started to ingrain himself into the town. She wore a sly smile, which made him frown even more. She seemed to think he wanted to know this information for whatever reason. He couldn’t deny that her insights were invaluable in his current project, but he didn’t want to know how Alec had helped a young child find their dog in the park last week. Project Remove Hunter was failing. People were already in love with him, and it had only been a month. It had taken him almost two before they spoke that well of him.

His experience with Hunters told him they tended to be proud. If you strike at their pride, they become the most arrogant creatures in the world. Demons were above this. He just needed to find what the man was prideful about, and then he could strike.

Selene was leaning over the counter; for once, Eli wasn’t bothered. He was too busy listening to the latest Alec story. Information would be critical, and he needed more information on his enemy.

“Josh felt awful,” Selene repeated. “But that’s what he gets for being a busybody. Alec’s a widower.” Eli could not help but nod in relief. That meant that Alec wasn’t working in a pair. He didn’t need to worry about other hunters snooping around the town. “It’s so sad. His wife died not long after they were married. He’s been on his own ever since. \No other family to speak of. Didn’t even know this uncle existed until some estate lawyers contacted him for a potential sale a few years ago.” That struck Eli as a cold reality filled him. That could only mean one thing.

Was he the reason Alec had landed in the town? If Alec hadn’t known about the house, he would never have ended up here and wouldn’t have failed at removing him from the town. Eli closed his eyes to keep his rage in check. He only opened them as Selene reached over and patted him on the shoulder for unknown reasons.

“I know.” Selene agreed. “It’s just awful. Once he discovered he owned the place, he spent years saving money to fix it.”

“Sounds like it’s straight from fiction.” Eli threw out. Maybe he could build a level of disbelief. Let the town of Humble Hill see just how much of a liar this Hunter was. Hunters never told the whole truth. They danced around it, trying to make themselves out to be the hero of the story. There had to be some lie mixed into the story. He just needed to determine what part was the lie.

“I know, what a romantic story it would be. Childhood sweethearts falling in love only to have one of them die and the other spends the rest of their life lamenting over their lost love.” Selene let out a romantic sigh as she clasped her hands before her and pretended to swoon. She kept that position for a minute too long before she turned back to him. “Pa wants me to invite you to dinner tonight. He says you’ve been working too hard.”

“I have not.” Eli countered. He was glad to be back to some ordinary conversation. The less time spent discussing the Hunter, the better. Even if he did get some information from it.

“When was your last day off?” Selene asked as she jumped to sit on the counter. Eli glared at her before elbowing her off of it. Selene resisted for a moment before jumping back down and leaning against it. Eli let out a harsh breath through his nose. First, she bombarded him with information about the Hunter, and now she’s contaminating his counter. Why did he even allow her into his café?

“That’s beside the point. I’m the only employee. Someone needs to be working whenever we’re open.”

“You need to hire someone else,” Selene shot back. Eli wondered if his glare had become too soft over the past few years if it did not incite true panic in Selene as she shifted.

“Who?”

“Why not Alec?” Eli bit his tongue so hard he could taste blood. Why would she even suggest such a foal thing? No self-respecting Demon would ever work with a Hunter. He knew better than to sprout curses over how idiotic that idea was. However, he also knew he had a role he needed to play. Forcing a pained grin on his lips, he asked.

“How would you even know if he was looking for a job?”

“Please,” She waved off his concerns. “He said he quit his old job before coming here. According to Josh, fixing the house is much more expensive than originally assumed. He’s probably desperate for something. It would be unneighborly not to offer him the job.” Eli thought carefully over his following few words before finally settling on one.

“I am not going to hire someone based on what other people think,” Eli said. When Selene opened her mouth, he raised a hand and continued. “I’ve only heard from you that he needs a job. If he needs a job, then he needs to be the one to ask. I’m not desperate enough to ask him.” Selene opened and closed her mouth several times before sighing. Eli knew he had won. He didn’t have to say he could never picture a world where he, one of the Archdukes of Hell, would ever be desperate enough to ask for help from a Hunter.

“Fair.” She then got a sly look that made him more nervous than it should have as she changed the subject. “So, Dinner?”

“At seven?” The LaLunes were nothing if not punctual. Well, most of them were.

“We tend to like routine,” Selene said. “Don’t try to bring anything. Mama doesn’t like it when you go extra for them.”

“So just dessert then.” Selene rolled her eyes and nodded. This was not Eli’s first time invited to the LaLune manor. It stood just off the edge of the town. The LaLune family had been running the town for the last three generations. He wasn’t sure how the elections worked; as far as he knew, there weren’t any, but Stephen LaLune had been mayor for the past twenty years. Selene hopped back from the counter.

“I’ll see you tonight.” Selene grinned as she turned and raced out of the door. Eli waved her off, mind already thinking over their conversation. There had to be some shred of information he could still use — something he could use against the Hunter. Had Eli not been so preoccupied, he might have noted the mischievous grin on Selene’s face as she turned, not towards the LaLune manor, but towards Forrest Manor.