Griffin hangs up the phone without saying goodbye. I revisit the idea I had about his abrupt departures being part of his personality. Seconds later, my computer dings with the arrival of an email. I don’t have to read anything other than the subject line to see that it is, in fact, a cancellation notice.
“Well, that’s the second meeting that was canceled today without any indication they’ll be rescheduled. I’m starting to think people are avoiding me,” I say only half-jokingly.
Griffin makes a noncommittal grunting noise and walks over to my open door to close it. The snap is barely audible before he returns to lower himself into one of the empty chairs facing my desk. It seems almost too small for him.
I don’t bother to join him on the same side. I don’t feel the need to make him feel any more comfortable. Hell, it’s supposed to be my office, I’m the one behind the desk, after all, but I have the distinct impression that Griffin would be comfortable anywhere he wants to be.
“So, did you mean it?” he asks again, and I know he’s referring to my conversation with Jon.
I sit in my chair but keep eye contact with Griffin. “Every word,” I offer. “But is there something specific you’re asking about?” I wonder if Griffin is reporting back to the director, maybe that’s why he canceled the meeting. He wouldn’t need to meet with me himself if he has Griffin as his eyes and ears.
“It won’t be easy,” he warns me, as if I’d assumed it would be.
I fold my hands on the desk and tilt my head. “Do you know how many times I applied here at Havenfall, or at any of the other facilities like it?” I don’t wait for him to answer. A small chuckle escapes me. “I applied to Havenfall the most. Nine times, including all the times I offered to do my internships here.”
“Why did you apply here more?” Griffin settles deeper into the chair, trying to find a comfortable position for his arms, but his build is a little too wide, so they barely sit on the thin armrests. He resolves to crossing them over his expansive chest instead.
“A few reasons.” I look over to the left. “My neighbor is a shifter, their family has lived there longer than mine, several generations, but he was my teacher for a time too.” I give him a slight shrug, that’s enough for now.
“Professor Mackey?” Griffin inquires.
“Yup, and thanks for confirming you’re watching me.” I give him a knowing grin.
Griffin’s face goes blank for a second, then he shakes it away, replacing it with a narrowed eyed assessment of me. “I have to say, you’re not quite what I expected,” he states, just above a whisper.
“So…” I turn my gaze to the computer screen, pulling up the schedule I already memorized just to have something to do other than watch Griffin. “Are you going to be my shadow? Might get pretty boring,” I warn jokingly.
Griffin rises from the seat and places a palm on my desk, leaning forward a little. I’m caught off guard by his nearness, so I lean back in my chair, but I still get a whiff of his cologne. It’s slightly peppery with a light musk, familiar, but I can’t place it. Especially with him looming over me.
“Why, am I am making you uncomfortable?” Griffin’s voice is pitched low.
“No, not at all, are you trying to?” If I had hackles, they’d be rising, because heismaking me uncomfortable, but not for the reasons I should be.
“Shadows only exist in the light. I think you’ll see I’m much more comfortable in the dark.” With that statement, Griffin turns and breezes out of my office, leaving the door open on his way out.
“Okay…” I blink several times, wondering if that was as weird as it seemed, or if I’m making too much out of it.
I make a conscious effort to forget about Griffin, and all the questions I have about him, and get some work done. I pick up the note I jotted down with Jon’s full name and student number. I need to get a little more background information on him before he comes back tomorrow after lunch, so we can go over his schedule.
I also need to do some research on the University of Michigan, see what I can find out about their stance on supernaturals. I want to get a feel for the student body as well. I know my fellow peers at school were much more open to the idea of mixing species as friends and colleagues more than the staff was. I’m hopeful that, even if the institution isn’t welcoming, the students will be. Their support will go a long way in pushing for better integration.
Chapter 6
Quinn
As the nextseveral days pass, an easy routine begins to form. Although I’m still getting used to the later schedule, so I usually eat breakfast alone. I cast my eyes around the mostly empty cafeteria, noting that the faces are starting to become familiar. Josie, a woman I would guess is a few years younger than me, is rechecking the crock of oatmeal. The omelet and egg station isn’t even up and running yet, but they still have way more selections available than I’m used to.
Finished with my bagel, I grab my trash and send a wave in Josie’s direction before heading to the door. My face falls when I see the person entering—Letty. If there’s one smudge on my time here at Havenfall, other than the dead pig on my first night, it would be her. I have no idea what I did other than accept a ride from Evan, the head of security, that pissed her off, but the woman does not like me.
“Morning.” I try for civil as I work hard to keep my voice even.
Letty’s blue eyes narrow, pinching her elfin features into a scowl. “Still here I see.” She casts her gaze over me and it’s clear she finds me lacking.
“Just leaving actually, it’s all yours.” I wave my hand out behind me, indicating the cafeteria and purposefully misunderstanding her taunt.
Letty makes a sound that I could only call a growl, but I don’t rise to the bait. Instead, I keep my feet moving in the direction I was already heading. She takes a quick step to the right, and I’m forced to move over a little or our shoulders would have collided. It’s something I do on instinct, an ingrained courtesy, but to her it’s like admitting defeat. The predator in her likes that she made me move out of her way, I know by the shorthrumpsound she makes.
I ignore her, because there’s no way for me to win this battle. She’s a trained security officer and a shifter. But I keep my head high as I walk away. Just because I know she could wipe the floor with me doesn’t mean I need to let her know—I know it.
