“You had a meeting with him your first day.” Evan sounds like he’s trying to convince me that I actually knew this and somehow forgot.
I cross my arms over my chest. “A meeting that he canceled, well, he had his secretary cancel. Every time I tried to reschedule, she told me, ‘Headmaster Stone is not accepting appointments with you.’” I shake my head and close my eyes slowly.
“He probably didn’t realize you didn’t know.” Evan sounds like he’s full of crap.
“Believe me, he knew exactly what he was doing,” I deadpan. Evan falls quiet. “I knew he was moody, but I didn’t realize he was a child too.” I snap my mouth closed, determined not to say another word, especially to his friend. I’m the newcomer here. I’m not going to ruin any chance I have at friendship with anyone else because Griffin likes to play games.
“Sorry, it’s been a long day already. Can you help me get another room, maybe on another floor?” I really don’t relish the thought of running into Griffin every time I go in or out of my room.
Evan gives me a small wince. “I’ll see what we have, but I don’t think it’s much. That room was only available because a couple moved in together.”
Perfect, of course there isn’t another room. “Well, I need to do something about the door. Griffin…” I grind my teeth. “Director Stone broke the knob last night.”
“I’ll take care of the door, Quinn, get a better lock put on too,” Evan offers quickly.
“Thanks,” I mutter solemnly.
“Absolutely, Quinn, anything you need.” I hear his words, but I don’t take them to heart, not after what I just learned.
“Thanks for taking time out of your day for this. I better get back.” I push out my chair and grab my mostly uneaten breakfast, lunch, to toss. I feel slightly guilty that I wasted it, but I can’t stomach it, not now.
Evan rises like he might come with me, but I wave him away and hustle from the room. I need some time to think.
Sitting at my desk hours later, I’m still thinking about Griffin and his purposeful omissions. One memory brings a smile to my lips, the one when I kneed the moody jerk in the balls.
Evan
“Absolutely, Quinn, anything you need.”I can tell she’s not really listening to me. The usual pink flush to her cheeks is washed away, while darkness lingers under her eyes. She’s tired, and it’s not just the lack of sleep weighing on her.
I can’t believe Griff didn’t tell her who he was—well, I can actually. Being one of the most powerful vampires in the world comes with a lot of responsibilities and expectations. I think Quinn herself has more to do with him not telling her than any of that though.
With quick movements she crumples up her food and excuses herself. I want to follow her, to offer an explanation for my friend, if only to make her feel better, but I don’t. The moment she’s out the door, I have my phone at my ear. “Where are you?”
“Room, what now?” Griff’s words are terse.
“Let’s just say your little secret is out of the bag, Director.” I nod my head at the security officer seated at the desk to the staff wing, telling him to open the door.
I’m faster than the lock though, so I end up waiting for a brief second. I glare over my shoulder, and the guy’s shoulders come up near his ears at my glare.
“Fuck, you told her?” Griff accuses.
“Not intentionally, you shithead. Why didn’t you? Just forget it, I’ll be up there in a minute. I have to replace her lock anyway.” I hit the end button before Griff has a chance to respond. I’m only so pissed because I know Quinn is pissed. Sure, it was wrong of Griff, but if she was anyone else, I wouldn’t give a shit.
“What did she say?” Griff is waiting for me at the top of the stairs.
“I don’t know, man, she was upset.” I cross my arms over my chest. “She seemed kind of pissed at you before that came out. What’d you do?”
Griff looks away. It’s not like him, so I know immediately that I’m right. He did do something.
“Griff, man, seriously. What the fuck is going on with you?” I toss my hands up, but keep my voice low.
My best friend looks at me and wets his lips. “She’s making me crazy. She’s all I can think about, but then…then I think about before and—”
I cut him off before he can continue. “That was a long time ago, Griff.”
His light eyes slash toward me. “You think I don’t know that?”
“She made you feed on only her blood to have control over you.” I say the words I’ve thought about saying for over a lifetime. Griffin’s nostrils flare and he lowers his head.
