Page 44 of Lost and Bound

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

THIS CAN’T BE MY LIFE

CANE

Being diplomatic at these academy meetings is necessary, I offer respectfully, despite being as frustrated as he is.

Talking is necessary, but this is not. Finish this, or I will.

My wolf severs our link with something akin to a door slam. I bounce out of my seat and stride to the large window, which offers an unhindered view of Thales. Although it’s the woods past the boundary wall of the academy that calls to me and soothes my frustration slightly.

My wolf is right. This benign argument happening behind me is nothing more than a waste of time. No amount of discussion on who is the most suitable representative for the academy is going to change what we need to do—present a unified front.

In the reflection, Ballin rocks back in his chair. The movement is an intentional attempt to disrupt my calm. “Is there an issue, Cane?”

I turn to face him, enjoying the spark of apprehension in his eyes.

My wolf is equally amused and unconcerned by Ballin’s antics. Everyone here is aware of the type of person he is: a coward. He constantly skirts close to a challenge but never has the balls necessary to cross the invisible line. Nepotism and bluster got him to where he is today, while his obstinance and bullying are the only things keeping him in his role as Thales Head of Magiks. He’s a skilled practitioner, but he’ll never be respected or revered like his parents.

I stare him down, waiting until he looks away, then I ignore his question. My gaze jumps to Augustus. The vampire elder gives a slight nod, indicating I have his support.

“The vampires are in agreement,” I say casually, breaking the quiet, though my comment is most definitely directed at Ballin.

“So are the shifters,” Alpha Roberts says as he slams open the door, finally gracing us with his presence.

He stops next to where Ballin sits at the head of the table. Robert’s eyes glow golden at the obvious disrespect Ballin showed when he chose where to sit. Robert’s scowl deepens as his gaze shifts from the man to his assigned seat over and over until Ballin stands and moves to where he should be sitting.

Before being asked, Denise, the secretary to the board—a sweet and talented witch—appears and wipes the table in front of where Ballin had been seated. In a way, it’s another reminder of his place because she had mentioned that the Magikster was in the wrong seat when we started.

It’s the little things that are important to an Alpha; like where peers fucking sit and who others naturally defer to.

Ballin looks way too cocky for my liking. It’s not a hard leap to see he’s been setting things up behind the scenes. His ego and stupidity are going to get him killed one day.

“Duke Amon, where are your loyalties?” Ballin’s voice is oily and peppered with presumption, but it’s not a huge surprise when Amon murmurs his support.

The reality is that it will be a cold day in hell when the demons change alliances. Which, all going well, will be very soon. Though very soon in our world often involves decades.

Roberts swings around to face the last person to vote. “Heavenly Appointed Michael?”

The professor of Celestial Studies doesn’t immediately respond with words. The slow speed at which he puts his device to the side is deliberate. No one can miss his obvious displeasure at being dragged into the discussion.

In the time I’ve been coming to these meetings, never once has Michael simply sat and listened. It’s not that he believes these meetings aren’t important, but he shares my sentiment that we waste a lot of time rehashing the same topics. He’s also a master of disguise. His focus might have been on the work he was doing, but he wouldn’t have missed a word or even a silent cue.

“We’ve already decided Callista is our elected representative for academy dealings with Council. She was selected because she’s the only being able to be unbiased and truly empathetic of our collective history while also being cognizant of what our academy and our students need from Council for our subsequent success. We are wasting time.”

His placid mannerisms hide the brutality of his righteousness. Celestials have a vicious temper, one that’s unexpected, given their creator.

Ballin scoffs dramatically.

“Enough,” Michael warns as he goes back to his device. “We should move on to the issues at Nomina House.”

Augustus jumps on the change in direction and clears his throat. “Our early analysis is pointing to an air-borne virus being the cause.”

Vampires have heightened taste sensors in the same way shifters have enhanced olfactory receptors. Where we differ is that their cold, analytic ability has become second nature, and they’re now the most respected and trusted in investigative research. Their success in disease and sickness detection is second to none.

“And the origin?” Michael asks as he types, reinforcing his ability to listen and work.

Ballin’s lips purse, and though everyone sees it, they are more interested in hearing from Augustus.