Page 65 of Ever Dark Academy: Vol. 1

Yes, he did, a voice said, dark and deep and somehow familiar. And you did well.

Grayson’s head shot towards the trees behind them. That was where the mind voice had come from, not from the opposite direction where Balthazar still hung in the air like some huge ornament. For a moment, Grayson thought he saw two glowing red eyes disappear from sight, but he wasn’t sure if they were real.

Is everything all right over there? It was Balthazar’s voice this time.

Grayson looked back. He met the Eyros Vampire’s eyes.

You knew what he was doing, Grayson realized.

Of course, Balthazar answered, narrowing the thought just to him, he understood.

And you were… watching?

We didn’t leave you, Grayson, Balthazar said gently. You’re not alone.

Grayson blinked. Suddenly, hot tears filled his eyes. He could not cry in front of everyone. This was ridiculous! He was fine on his own! He didn’t need anyone!

It’s not about need. It’s something deeper than that, Balthazar said. Now… shall we go on? Or…

Grayson jerked his head up. You’re letting me decide if the parade goes on?

The crowd was shifting uncomfortably. People were murmuring to each other. They were also looking over at him and the strange tableau they must have made. He looked up at the bear who was gazing down at him. If this went badly it would reflect on the Weryn. It was in his hands to decide. Lawson had struck first. He lightly brushed his fingers through fur that was terribly soft.

Don’t stop the show, Grayson said. Don’t stop it for Lawson. He’s not that important.

Balthazar grinned and flung his arms wide. And see what having a Weryn friend or two can do for you! I wonder if they’ll all let us pet them!

The crowd started laughing, unsure what was happening, but suddenly--inexplicably--losing interest in them.

The Eyros power at work, Grayson realized.

But of course! Balthazar laughed.

A lioness stalked over to them. Her eyes were shadowed. She was looking at Lawson as if he had broken her heart. Lawson’s jaw worked as if he might spit out some words, but he didn’t. He turned on his heel and stalked away. The lioness gave Ryder and Demos a final look before loping off after him.

It was only then that Ryder and Demos shifted out of their animal forms and into their Vampire ones. Ryder gently cupped Grayson’s jaw, turning his head right and left at the bruises that Lawson must have made. He gently caught Grayson’s injured hand too.

“You’re not all right,” Ryder’s voice sounded thick with pain.

“I’m fine,” Grayson said, and tried to put meaning into those words.

“I wasn’t here,” Ryder whispered. “I wasn’t here and he--”

“Doesn’t matter. He’ll be gone tomorrow and I’m fine,” Grayson repeated. He had, after all, allowed the painful grip to last as long as it had to fuel his fire, which was now surprisingly banked but ready to burst to life if he needed it.

“He’s leaving tomorrow,” Demos said with a silent snarl as if still in his sleek panther form.

“He’s leaving tonight,” Ryder growled.

“No,” Grayson said and held onto Ryder’s hands. “Don’t run after him. Don’t ruin this night because of him. He’s not worth it.”

“He hurt you and--”

“He hurt himself. You’ve got to believe me that I really am fine,” Grayson said, even as his throat was sore.

“You don’t want to be alone. No, you shouldn’t be. I can’t leave you again while he’s still here,” Ryder said, misunderstanding Grayson’s desire for him to stay as a desire to be kept safe.

Grayson let out a breath. If it kept Ryder here and Demos out of trouble for a while that was good. They needed cooler heads when they dealt with Lawson. He urged the two of them to join Eiji and Mairead, who were desperately pretending not to listen to every word, but they had earned that. They hadn’t really left. And, more importantly, they’d come back.

---