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Crushing exhaustion settled into my bones the moment I stepped into the alchemy workshop. I rolled my hair up with two long metal pins before getting to work. I fed the snakes then allowed my favorite black python, Edgar, to settle around my neck. The serpent was larger and heavier than Nidhogg, and his weight was oddly calming, so rather than hurrying to put him back in his tank, I continued checking on all the potions and distillations with him around my shoulders. I returned him when I was finished with everything.

Leaving the workshop, I locked the door and forced myself to stand straight. My feet dragged as I made my way to my office at the end of the corridor. I’d only applied for this position because I wanted access to the library and the alchemy lab. But staring at my name on the door, I was reminded of the accolades I received for my teaching and contribution to the world of alchemy. A pleasant warmth spread through my chest.

I unlocked the door and stepped inside. There were shelves of books against the wall behind a massive mahogany desk. Most of the books were academic, but there were a few collections of poetry and literature. I’d tried to read them several times before, but my mind was too keen on wandering, and in the end, I always gave up. I missed the ability to get lost in a story, because I hated my reality.

At least the nonacademic books were pretty, with gold-leaf titles on the spines standing out against the black leather. There were also drawers with different things ranging from personal blood samples—mine, Magdalena’s, and Irving’s—to gems I wanted to keep outside of the alchemy workshop. The biological samples were preserved with magical sigils, and my friends had been willing to contribute to my studies. Side quests, Magdalena had called them.

I was just about to lower myself into my chair when a knock came at the door. I paused, my ass hovering above the leather seat, hands gripping the wood of my desk.

Perhaps it was Shan coming to check in on what else needed to be done in the lab?

“Yes?” I called out.

Another knock.

“Shan?”

Silence.

Frowning, I walked to the door. The heartbeat beyond the barrier was strong and steady, sure and arrogant. There was no way that beast had come back after how I’d left him yesterday … right? But I knew that damn heartbeat. My own tried to race in response, but I tamped down the anger trying to surface and took a breath. Maybe if I stood still long enough, he would leave.

“Let me in, Nygaard,” Sylvan said. “I can hear your angry little heart.”

I rolled my eyes. “Back for more paralytic, are you?”

“I came to give you an offer.”

Flinging the door open so quickly he had to leap backward, I pulled him into the room by his shirt. With the door securely shut, I stared up at his arrogant face. His brows were arched, a question in his amber eyes as they roamed over me.

“What could you possibly offer me?” I asked him.

He leaned back against the door, arms folded and one leg crossed over the other, a picture of casual indifference.

“I’ve come to offer you my blood,” he said. “And my venom.”

11

THE DEAL

SYLVAN

Aura stepped back, all suspicion and spitfire at my offer.

Her lips parted, but no words came. She took a few more steps back to lean against her desk, her fingers gripping the edge of the wooden surface. Her notes depicted the use of venom and blood. Being a vampire, even a Nygaard, it was unlikely she had easy access to lycans.

She didn’t speak for a while, her lips pressed together beneath her perfect little nose. Her ivory skin was blemish free, and there were black and white strands of hair tumbling from her bun at the back of her head. When she finally spoke, her crimson eyes were calculating, disbelief leaking into every word. “So, you’ll give me your blood and venom and keep my secret? That makes no sense.”

“No, I’ll give you my blood and venom and keep your secret in exchange for access to the university library.”

Her eyes narrowed to slits, a fang sinking into one corner of her lower lip. I’m certain nothing was intended by this subtle action, but my stomach tightened with want, my eyes drawn to the perfect bow shape of her mouth. I looked away, hoping my body didn’t embarrass me.

“Get out of my office.” She pointed, a scowl on her face.

Abrupt …

“Either you take me for a fool, or you’re an imbecile.”

“No, I’m a lycan,” I said, intentionally keeping my voice soft. I didn’t want to seem too personally invested. It would raise too much suspicion. “The disease⁠—”