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It’s strange to read about the history of a family while one of them is psychically present inside my head. But I flick through the various chapters until the bell rings and I have to go to class.
I scoop up the books.
There must be a reason for me coming back, Cyrus says.Can you bring these books to me later so I can study them?
My skin tingles at the thought of seeing him again.Okay.
But it’s going to be dangerous. It’s going to involve walking around the castle alone at night when someone is killing auras.
Yet I already know that I will go to him.
Twenty-Three
The restof the day goes by in a blur. I struggle along with Latin phrases in a spellcasting lesson, then my thoughts grow dark and intense in a meditation session that’s supposed to relax me.
But once lessons are over, Octavia takes to the dais in the dining hall to tell us that the school will again be on lockdown for the evening. We’ll all be smooshed into the recreation hall like we were last night.
I managed to sneak away the first time, so hopefully, I can do it again to drop off the history books at Cyrus’s crypt.
I’m gathering up the books when Cooper makes a beeline for me.
“Hey, Belvedere. Are you working on extra credit or something?” He gestures to the books then starts reading the spines. “Oh. I guess you’re catching up on some history. Well, I can’t blame you, considering everything. Do you want a hand with those?”
“I’m good. I was just going to drop them off in the study next door so I don’t have to carry them around.” I plopthem down on a spare table to save my arms. “Any news on Jenny Valetta?”
He shakes his head. “But the teachers are totally keeping things from us. It’s super suspicious if you ask me.” He glances towards Damien at the other end of the hall. “If I find anything out, I’ll let you know. It must have been horrible, stepping into that crime scene.”
I nod, remembering the blood. Then I glance across the room to Gabrielle. “Yeah, if you could convince Gabrielle I had nothing to do with Jenny’s disappearance, that would be great.”
“I can do my best.” Cooper shrugs. “She’s a force unto herself, though. The royals usually are.”
“So she’s in the Black Orchid Society too?”
“Yes. Her family rule the witch’s circle. You know you can join if you want? You have royal blood. The Belvederes don’t rule the necromancer’s circle anymore, but it still counts.”
I consider Gabrielle’s potential reaction to me joining her circle and shake my head. “I think it’s too soon. But maybe once I’ve read these books.” I grab the stack again. “I need a little quiet time to read, so I’m heading next door. I’ll, erm, speak to you later.”
I do not like this one,Cyrus growls just as Cooper is saying goodbye.My sister never trusted a man who smiles like that. They’re always hiding something.
Nah, Cooper passes the vibe check, I say.
I smile at Cooper, feeling like I’m getting the hang of this telepathy thing, until I walk straight into Gabrielle and drop all the books.
“Watch it,” she snaps.
I bend down to grab the fallen stack, and she kicks onelarge volume away from me. Tamping down the urge to grab her skinny ankle and pull her down to the floor, I collect the last dusty tome and push my way past her.
Fuck that bitch.
Cyrus chuckles.While I wouldn’t use such vulgar language, I do agree with the sentiment.
Are you too much of a gentleman?I slip through the door into the study and stride over to the bookcase.
Of course I am.
A gentleman who bites.
The timbre of his voice lowers.Yes.
