Lucien flipped his hand up to lace their fingers, mouth in a thin line as he stared at Rhyden. "I’m fine, my V girl. I know when not to play with dangerous weapons indoors—unlike some."
Cyrus clapped his hands, the sharp sound ringing in her ears. "Alright. Enough playtime. We have an Academy to burn."
Rin rodeon the back of Rhyden’s motorcycle, while Lucien drove one of the vampires’ armored vehicles with Auren and Cyrus.
After the short drive, Rhyden cut the motorcycle’s engine off, leaving them in silence. They both got off, and Rin removed her helmet, watching as Rhyden pushed the motorcycle the last few feet until it was hidden in an alley. They were right outside the Academy rear gates.
Headlights cut through the city’s darkness as Lucien pulled the large armored truck into position.
"The backup generators are most likely focusing on the needed areas, and even beyond into the city. When I—" Rin bit her lip. She hadn’t exactly told themwhyshe left to see Xara—not that she could explain it herself. "When I went to my dorm,the lights were off. I only realized after I left that it was because they were trying to consolidate power. Why run a generator in the dorms and the main Academy building if all the Hunters are out?" Rin lifted her watch so they could see. "An all-call notice. I saw it right after the blackout."
Cyrus took her wrist and lifted her hand to his face, squinting. "What’s that mean?"
"It means—" she started.
"Shit hit the fan," Rhyden interjected.
Rin knocked her elbow into his ribs, then winced. She heard his huffing laughter.
"It means," Rin asserted, "that all trainees have been called. No matter their station or team. The Academy is vacant."
"And it is the perfect time to enter and get rid of any research they are keeping below," Lucien murmured, contemplative.
Rin touched his arm. "Exactly. We have to do this. Now."
No planning—maybe that was what would make this work. She just knew, she felt it in her bones, that time was running out. They had to get rid of that research below. The drawing of the Nova Spire haunted her…
It felt inevitable.
"I will take the underground by myself," Lucien said.
Rin immediately stopped him. "No, Lucien. You’re not going down there alone. If any place will have surveillance, still, the underground will."
"That is why I must do this, Vesperin. That research is mine. My past has caused this nightmare." His voice was rough. "I have to be the one to get rid of it—to protect you."
"Lucien," Rin beseeched, "you can’t. Please. Take one of the outside corridors. It’s safer."
Lucien cupped her cheeks, thumbs on the edge of her mask. "I will be okay, my V girl. I swear it to you."
"Fuck it." Rhyden sighed sharply. "No, you’re not.I’llgo underground. You and the others take the above-ground corridors and the perimeter."
Lucien’s eyes narrowed. "Why?"
Rhyden reached into his pocket for a lighter. It was black, faded from wear. And something was etched onto the surface of the paint, revealing the silver casing underneath. He rolled it around in his hands, then tossed it to Rin. She caught it, then lifted it to read the engraving:
V. V.
Rin ran her thumb over the letters.
"Because the thrill of danger makes me hard," Rhyden finally answered. "Isn’t that what you expected me to say?"
"That’s my line," Cyrus purred, wrapping an arm around Rin’s shoulder. He shoved his mask down then pressed his lips to her ear, breath hot. "Thank you for letting me feed, doll. I felt your pleasure when you looked at Auren. What have you two gotten up to, hm? Want to tell me?"
Rin’s cheeks warmed. "Nothing," she mumbled.
Cyrus’s tongue traced the shell of her ear, making her earrings tinkle softly. "Later, then. Maybe you’ll get loose-lipped after I wring a few orgasms out of you." He let her go, laughing sensually as she stumbled, weak-kneed.
Auren plucked at the hem of his dark shirt, as if unused to such form-fitting clothing. "We must go if we wish to do this tonight. I do not believe that it is wise to be away from each other. It makes me feel… unpleasant."
