Page 44 of Ever Dark Academy: Vol. 1

Eiji and Amara were both the most obvious–and the least likely–for the Sect to have recruited. They were some of the very few that had been interviewed so the fact that they had gotten into the academy was public knowledge. The Sect could have approached them, blackmailed them or convinced them to join in their cause, after they had been chosen. Choosing them after they got through the rigorous process would explain how they weren’t identified before. But the Vampires would have had a watchful eye on these two for just that reason that they could be harmed or approached by their enemies. So reaching them would be the most difficult as compared to other students. He’d have to watch them just as carefully as anyone else. They weren’t ruled in or out.

“Your final quad-mate is downstairs,” Julian said, breaking him out of his thoughts, then added dryly, “She brought a few things.”

“Not the one with the birdcage.” Grayson frowned. The thought of birds squawking at all times of the day and night--well, all times of the night as there was no day in the Ever Dark--would be Hellish.

“No, no.” Julian scrubbed the back of his neck with one hand though as if what this person had brought was worse than the birds.

“It’s the one with the pool table,” Christian remarked.

“You’re kidding!” Amara burst out then plastered a smile on her face as if she was afraid that objecting would have points taken against her. “I guess that explains the empty spot over there.”

She indicated an empty corner of the common room where that pool table would just fit. Grayson wondered if the birds would have been better.

“I’m afraid so,” Julian said tightly.

“I suppose it will be something we can do together,” Amara said just as tightly, but she tried to smile. “But don’t they understand that we’re starting new lives here? Holding onto something as large as a pool table is--is hardly doing that.”

“Some wish to hold onto their past,” Eiji remarked neutrally with that benevolent smile.

“Indeed. You don’t seem to bring anything with you at all, Grayson,” Amara remarked as she took in his lack of luggage.

“Oh, my pool table is yet to be delivered,” Grayson deadpanned.

Amara blinked again, but then let out a pleasant laugh. “Right! We’ll have dueling pool tables!”

“Grayson, why don’t we go look at your room and see if there’s anything you want changed,” Julian suggested.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Grayson said.

He suddenly didn’t want to see his room. It was to have been Gregory’s. He already felt like a fraud and that would make him feel more so. Besides, no matter what was in his “room” it would be better than anything he’d had since he was a kid.

“Well, we want to make sure you’re completely comfortable,” Christian said and gestured towards the left hallway.

Grayson resisted the urge to sigh and headed down the dark wood hallway with a tight smile. He could almost feel the questions in their eyes following him. Now the Vampire Prince and his best friend were assuring that his room was to his liking. What were they likely thinking of him? He’d been a street kid and now he was… what? He felt conspicuous and strange.

“It’s the last door on the left,” Christian said as they neared the first door to his right.

He found himself glancing inside the first room. It was very spare with grays and whites predominant. There was a futon with no pillow on the floor and a low table with pillows on either side. It clearly evidenced a Japanese aesthetic.

Must be Eiji’s room. Beautiful.

He realized he immediately presumed his own room wouldn’t be half so nice. But then they reached his room, or rather Gregory’s room. It was meant for Gregory so why would it be less nice than Eiji’s? It wouldn’t. He was just staying there. It wasn’t his room. He hesitated by the door, unwilling to push it open and see what had been planned for a dead man.

“We changed things based on what we thought you might like,” Julian said quietly, as if understanding the reason for his reluctance.

And maybe he did. Prince Julian was said to have all the gifts, including that of Eyros to read minds. But Grayson sensed that Julian just guessed what he was feeling out of sheer empathy. That caused him to speak out loud what was eating him up inside.

“I saw him die,” Grayson said. “Though he was supposed to be a spy, he wanted to be a part of this. One of you. It makes me wonder what I’m doing here.”

That last phrase just slipped out. Grayson wondered if that single glass of champagne had been a mistake and made his tongue loose. But that rarely happened to him. Not that he often drank to excess--though he had to quiet the nightmares--but he normally became more withdrawn when he drank as his mind offered visions of his past. But he did not feel at all drunk. He was stone, cold sober and yet he had spoken out loud what he truly felt.

“Seeyr believes that fate is real. Some things, no matter what we do, must happen. Seeyr is an Immortal. She has the gift of seeing the future,” Julian explained gently. “This could be one of those things. You being here could be meant.”

Grayson studied the intensely handsome face of the Vampire Prince. He saw no lie or con in it. Julian was telling him the truth as he saw it. Could this be meant? All his life he’d had this ability that, in the movies and books, should have led him to some incredible fate, but all it had done was to destroy his life.

Except for now. This is the first time that my gift has led me somewhere good.

He couldn’t believe he was thinking that of the Ever Dark. Not to mention he was likely still being hunted by the Sect. So…

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