Page 20 of Radiant Shadows

“Do they live on the mountain?” I had a hard time believing any creature would force themselves to dwell in such an unlivable place.

He shrugged. “Who knows? They could be living in one of the small townships. There’s only one actual city in Yukon, and they could be there, too.”

“So, I’m to search the city and towns, as well as the mountains?”

He smirked. “That’s what I would do, yes.”

It seemed easy enough. I had been assigned a similar task back when I’d first joined Hadrian. The former shifter schoolhad eluded Hadrian and his followers for years, and I had been assigned the task of finding it. I’d been successful in that mission, and I’d regretted it ever since, as Hadrian had destroyed it. If I found gryphons in Yukon, I’d never admit it to Hadrian.

“Is Piper assigned to come along with me?” An expedition like this could give her the perfect out. We could fake her death.

Hadrian shook his head. “No. I need her expertise here at the school. We’re on the verge, Julian. The day of the vampire-shifter hybrid is near.”

His eyes lit as he spoke, as if he could see his dream just inches away.

I set my jaw. Hadrian was mad. Such an abominable goal had to be stopped. The question was, would Arya fulfill the shifter prophecy before Hadrian’s hybrids came to be?

“Where will that put people like us?” I asked.

The light in Hadrian’s eyes snuffed out, and he gave me a hard look. “People like us?”

I shrugged. “Average vampires with standard abilities. When your hybrids come waltzing in, they will crush us.”

Hadrian laughed loudly as he made his way back to me. “If you elect not to become a hybrid, that’s your own choice. But I would advise you to start considering which shifter powers you’d like added to your compendium of current abilities.”

“I will think on that,” I said, lying through my teeth.

A knock sounded at the door of the trophy room.

“Enter!” Hadrian boomed, turning around.

The door opened inward, and I saw a young, dark-haired boy—the same nine or ten-year-old I’d seen embracing Hadrian the last time I was here—sheepishly step inside.

I cast a look at Hadrian, finding the vampire leader’s features warm and soft.

“I’ve lost track of the time!” Hadrian said excitedly, then looked back at me. “You may begin your mission now, Julian. I have other responsibilities I must see to.”

I bowed ever so slightly. “Of course. I’ll return as soon as I’ve learned more about these gryphon sightings.”

Having to walk past the boy at the doorway, I gave him a half smile. The child returned the gesture with a chilling glare. What terrible plans was Hadrian involving such a young child in?

Pushing myself out of the trophy room, I decided I needed some fresh air rather urgently.

Exiting the school, I went down the stairs at an easy pace, then began to hike the northern mountains. It was evening, and although there were clouds, I could see patches of the night sky glittering with stars.

I had a call to make, and I couldn’t afford to be overheard. Once I felt confident with the distance up the easy climb, I pulled out my phone and dialed Caesar’s emergency number, hoping the gryphon was in a position to talk—and that he would even answer me after what happened with Shea.

After several buzzes, I heard Caesar’s gruff voice on the other end.

“What?” His tone was hard to read, but the reply itself was less friendly than usual.

“I have urgent news for you.”

“About Hadrian and his plans?” His tone immediately lost its hostility and became urgent.

“No,” I said quickly. “There’ve been sightings of a flock of gryphons.”

Chapter 9

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