“Yes, the next time there’s an attempt to collect her, we need you to allow it to happen,” my grandfather added, his gold irises whirling with uncanny power. “It’s our best lead to tracking them.”
“Right,” I replied. “Because of her mating bond to Shade.”
“Exactly,” my father murmured. “The Elders had originally wanted it to be you, but we feared no one would believe you’d disregard such a fundamental law on a whim.”
“So they tapped the one known for rule-breaking,” Shade drawled. “Me.”
My grandfather grunted. “You didn’t even balk at the request.”
“Of course I didn’t. You gave me permission to taste an Elemental Fae, and a gorgeous one at that. Why the hell would I refuse?” Shade sounded so flippant, as if we were discussing the damn weather. But I was starting to recognize his tactics for avoidance. He made jokes to deflect, and in this case, he wanted everyone to believe Aflora meant nothing to him.
However, if that were true, then he would have told them all about our united bonds, and he hadn’t.
“Yeah, yeah,” Tadmir replied. “Enjoy it while it lasts, Death Blood. You’re still promised to my daughter.”
Shade smiled. “I’m aware of my obligations, Malefic Blood. Just enjoying my freedom while I can.”
“Shall we give Chern the room?” my grandfather suggested, gesturing to the patiently waiting Sangré Councilman. “Or do you prefer the dungeon for your interrogation?”
“The room is fine,” Chern replied.
“Then we’ll reconvene in three hours,” my father announced, standing and squeezing my shoulder. “Try to learn what you can. We’ll talk more over dinner later.”
That wasn’t a request but a demand. “Of course, sir. Thank you.”
He smiled, pleased, and led the others from the room, leaving me alone with Shade, Chern, and Headmaster Irwin.
“Shall we begin?” Chern asked.
Shade kicked his feet up on top of the table and crossed his legs at the ankles, the picture of uncaring. “Sure. Have at it.”
I didn’t mimic his pose but instead laced my fingers on top of the wood and gave Chern my undivided attention. “Teach me.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
ZEPH
It wasa testament to humanity that no one seemed to notice or care that I carried an unconscious female through the streets of New York City. There were a few glances here and there, but not a single human tried to stop me or raise questions.
Which was precisely why I chose Manhattan to lie low.
“Good evening, sir,” the doorman greeted me as I approached the familiar residential building. I’d spent a good portion of the last year here before returning to the Academy. No one really knew about this place, aside from Kols. He knew I enjoyed hiding here, mostly because of the added convenience of available blood walking around everywhere.
“Is everything all right?” the doorman asked, eyeing Aflora in my arms.
Of all the mortals, of course this one would ask. “She’s fine, just had a bit too much to drink. Bringing her back here to sleep it off.”
He nodded solemnly. “Ah, yes. I understand. Good luck, sir.”
“Thank you,” I replied, heading toward the stairwell. My flat was on the third floor, making it easy enough to reach by foot, even with the precious cargo in my arms.
She didn’t stir or make a sound as I walked, her head pillowed against my shoulder as she slept off whatever magic she’d tapped into back at the village. I’d felt the burn of it, the imminent danger surrounding us both, and her mental defensive measures.
It’d all happened so quickly that I hadn’t been prepared to fight, and the next thing I knew, power exploded out of her. My only option was to bite her, to try to ground her. It’d resembled an electrical wire hitting my bloodstream, spiraling me into a dark-magic whirlpool that nearly drowned me alive. Then she surfaced, bringing me up with her, and we were back in the village again.
The whole thing had felt like a dream. But I knew it was real because of the energy humming through the cobblestone street and dancing along the wood beams of the surrounding light-colored buildings. Flares of magic had lit up the night like lanterns, drawing a straight path to Aflora.
I hadn’t waited around to see if anyone else felt the disruption, and instead headed right for the portal to bring her to the Human Realm. We’d stay here until I heard back from Kols—who’d been silent since going into the Council meeting.
