Page 39 of Ever Dark Academy: Vol. 1

“They must think that what they know is greater than anything they don’t,” Grayson surmised.

“For some that may be true, but for most? And we are supposed to find our Children among them?” Ryder shook his head.

“Gregory made it pretty clear to me that the Sect got other people into the academy,” Grayson said as he stared at the students with a darkened brow.

Ryder frowned. “That seems so unlikely to me with the Eyros guarding us.”

“I know. But…” Grayson turned determinedly to Ryder. “Balthazar said that I was to pretend to be a student here while he and the others figured out who these Sect people are and what their plan is.”

Ryder lifted his eyebrows. “He did?”

“Yeah, and I admit that for a moment I thought that I could sit back and let him and whoever do that, but you and I fought them,” Grayson pointed out.

“Yes, but that hardly makes us experts,” Ryder pointed out. “They bear no mark that identifies them as Sect and we cannot read their minds. We won’t know who they are unless they decide to stick a knife between our ribs.”

“Maybe, though they are likely to do that considering what we did to them, right? Shouldn’t we be looking to take them out first?” Grayson countered.

Again, Ryder lifted his eyebrows. But why was he surprised? Grayson, for all his beauty and fragility as a human, was a warrior. He’d sensed it--smelled it--at the church and there was a faint whiff of it here and now coming off of him.

“Perhaps, but that seems like more reason for you to keep yourself safe, not seek out trouble,” Ryder said.

“Trouble comes to me. It always has. And I’ve never been able to count on anyone to keep it away.” Grayson gritted his jaw. His gaze was distant as he clearly remembered something from his past, maybe a bunch of somethings. Then he focused on Ryder. “I have an idea.”

“That sounds dangerous.” But Ryder found himself grinning.

“You need a way for Daemon to overlook the fact that you’re not playing by his rules with the fledgling thing,” Grayson said. “And I need help against the Sect of Dawn. So why don’t you help me get them? The two of us work pretty well together. If anyone asks while you’re interested in spending so much time with me, you tell them that--”

“I’m interested in you as a fledgling?” Ryder’s eyebrows really did shoot up this time. He had no idea how he felt about people even thinking he was looking for a Childe.

“If we can find out who the spies are for the Sect in here, that will impress Daemon and maybe make him more forgiving about anything else you’re failing to do. And it will give me my life back faster,” Grayson said.

“As I said, this sounds dangerous.”

Grayson’s pewter eyes narrowed. “They killed Sam. A harmless old man who hadn’t hurt anyone. Alcohol was the reason he was out on the streets. They cut him down like he was nothing. So dangerous is just fine in my book.”

Ryder thought then that Grayson sounded awfully like a Weryn right then. But he kept that to himself.

“All right,” Ryder said slowly. “I agree to help you with your dangerous plan.”

“Good.” Grayson flashed a smile. “Now let’s go meet some of the suspects.”

BAIT AND SWITCH

Grayson snuck a look over at Ryder as they strode towards the very fancy dorm building. What was it about this Vampire that caused him to behave as he did? After all, he did not apologize for being rude. Who cared what people thought, who dug into his past? He didn’t. He thrust those people away as fast and hard as possible. But not Ryder, evidently. Besides, the size of the man indicated he probably wouldn’t be able to physically push him all that far anyways. A faint smile appeared on his face. He did so like big guys and Ryder was huge.

Is that why? Because I find him attractive? I don’t want him to go until I get what I want from him?

Ryder moved with an easy grace that few big guys did. He was silent, too, his footsteps not making any sound on the cobblestoned streets. He was utterly comfortable in his body.

Well, he’s been in it for nearly half a millennia. That’s enough time, I suppose.

Was that why he asked Ryder to help him with the Sect? Because he was capable? Grayson didn’t “team up” with anyone, let alone someone he hardly knew. He didn’t rely on anyone to have his back. Because people disappointed you nine times out of ten. Or maybe it was ten times out of ten, really. It was a surprise when someone did not betray or turn away or simply could be counted on. Yet from almost the moment he had met Ryder he had known on some level that this person could be trusted to show up.

I feel that I have to look out for myself because I have no idea if Balthazar and whoever else will put me first when it comes to the Sect. Yet I think Ryder will? Grayson grimaced. Maybe it’s because he’s an outsider too. For all his talk of pack and belonging, he’s set apart somehow. I wonder why.

There was a burst of excited talking and laughter from the crowd of students and Vampires around the dorm’s steps. There were at least forty people there, talking, looking about, milling around, and generally cluttering up the broad street. Grayson found himself slowing his steps. Ryder immediately caught it and his eyes narrowed. Grayson licked his lips, nervousness entering him at the sight of the excited crowd.

There were people of all ages, races and nationalities. Some were conventionally attractive, but many weren’t. All though were bright eyed as they gazed at Nightvallen and the twin moons and at the Vampires who openly used their powers as if it were nothing.

---