Page 45 of Darkbirch Academy

“Is there a purpose to this inspection?” Dayn asks, his tone just short of insubordination.

Mazrov completes his circuit before answering. “There have been multiple security breaches in the past twelve hours. The moonfire greenhouse. The blood repository. Disturbances in the lower levels.”

“Interesting,” Dayn says, the picture of academic detachment. “And you’re here because...?”

“Your movements have been irregular since Monday.” Mazrov turns to face Dayn fully. “You’ve missed scheduled check-ins.”

I frown, wondering what Dayn has been doing since Monday: early preparation for this, spying on me?

“I wasn’t aware that faculty members were subject to investigation if they miss a few check-ins.” Dayn’s voice carries just enough edge to communicate displeasure without crossing into open defiance. “My movements have been entirely supportive of my work, and I have had a large amount of class work to catch up on.”

“You are not standard faculty, Professor.” The emphasis Mazrov places on the title strips it of any respect. “Your continued presence at Heathborne is contingent on compliance with very specific terms.”

“Terms I have not violated.”

“That remains to be determined.” Mazrov moves toward the desk, his gloved hand hovering just above its surface. “Management has concerns about your loyalty.”

“My loyalty has never been in question.” Dayn’s posture shifts subtly—a predator preparing for possible conflict. “I’ve served Heathborne faithfully for decades.”

“Service without choice is not loyalty.”

“Do you have specific accusations to make?” Dayn asks, drawing Mazrov’s attention away from the desk where our ritual components are hidden.

“Not yet.” Mazrov’s blue eyes flash brighter for a moment. “But I will be watching you more closely.”

“As you wish.” Dayn’s voice turns dismissive. “If that’s all, I have classes to prepare for.”

Mazrov moves toward the door but stops at the threshold. Without turning, he says, “There’s a scent in this room that doesn’t belong.”

My heart stutters. Even with the silver tablet suppressing my magic, could he somehow detect my presence in a small, enclosed room?

“I was testing student assignments today,” Dayn replies smoothly. “Several counteractions for blood rituals under controlled conditions. Perhaps that’s what you’re detecting.”

Mazrov remains motionless for several heartbeats, then nods once. “Report any unusual student activities directly to me. That is protocol.”

“Of course.”

After Mazrov departs, Dayn waits a full minute before approaching the bookshelf. When it slides open, I step out quickly, putting immediate distance between us.

“That was too close,” I say, keeping my voice low. “He can smell darkblood magic even through suppression tablets, at least in this small space.”

“Not surprising.” Dayn locks his chamber door. “Mazrov is improving every day, and he was specifically designed to detect magical signatures outside clearblood patterns. He’s a hunter at his core.”

“Why didn’t you seize him right then?” I demand. “He was right here, alone. We could have completed your ritual immediately.”

Dayn shakes his head. “And raised immediate alarms. Mazrov reports to management too regularly. His sudden disappearance would trigger lockdown protocols throughout Heathborne. We’d never complete the ritual before security forces discovered us.”

“Why did you originally offer to let me train under him?” I ask.

Dayn shrugs. “As I mentioned, it was an effective way to command your attention.”

I roll my eyes. “So instead you want me to lure him away during his free time.”

“Precisely. When he’s in the village, his check-ins are reduced to once per night, at midnight. If we take him from the tavern, we’d have nearly four hours before anyone realizes he’s missing.”

I pace the room, weighing our options. As much as I hate to admit it, Dayn’s plan makes strategic sense. A controlled environment, extended timeframe, and minimal witnesses.

“What makes you think he’d follow me at all? If he’s so mechanically focused on duty? How do you even know he’ll be attracted to me?”

---