Page 13 of Midnight Reign
“What a dick. What did he think was going to happen, exactly?”
“Fuck knows, but probably not what did happen. But I made it clear what would happen if he came near her again. Let’s just say, he’ll be looking over his shoulder for a while. Especially as I intend to inform Dad about this.”
I narrow my eyes. “Why would he care?”
“Why would he care…” Zephyr repeats in that annoying as fuck way he has when he’s being a cryptic dick. “Because she is his future daughter-in-law, that’s why.”
“Oh really?” I snort. “And does she know this?”
“She heard me say it, plus, we have an understanding. She knows she is my princess. She has yet to formally declare me her prince, but it will happen.”
I nod, not sure if I’m happy or angry about this archaic claiming. Not that I should talk. My parents will be extremely interested to know that I’m getting closer to Adelaide Black. That alone will perk their ears up, but the fact that she is unique will be like vamp-nip to them. However, thisisgood news. If MistHallow knows that Addy has been claimed by Zephyr, it should keep her out of trouble.
Should.
I don’t hold out much hope. She seems to be the kind that attracts it without trying.
“But this doesn’t solve our bigger problem, though. If people know about Adelaide...”
“She’ll be a target,” Zephyr finishes grimly. “We need those maps, and my father needs to know what happened here. The attack on MistHallow won’t go unanswered. Even if it was Randall Black who ordered it.”
I study him for a moment, taking in the set of his jaw, the determination in his eyes. But there’s something else there, too, a flicker of uncertainty that he’s trying to hide. “There’s more, isn’t there?”
Zephyr sighs, looking suddenly weary. The weight of his responsibilities as the Dark Fae prince seems to settle on him, ageing him beyond his years. “I hate going home. You know this.”
“I do. Is that all?”
He holds my gaze for a while before he nods stiffly.
I have no choice but to believe him. I mean, I understand his concern. The politics of the Dark Fae are complex and brutal, a world of shadows and secrets that make the vampire politics look like child’s play. I pity him, but I would never say that to his face. He would kick my arse from here into the next realm.
“Be careful,” I say finally, reaching out to clap him on his shoulder. “Be quick, as well, yeah. Adelaide needs you. We all do.”
Zephyr nods with a ghost of a smile. “Try not to let her drain you dry while I’m gone. And Corvus, watch her back. I don’t like this one bit.”
“Me either.”
With that, he steps back, shadows swirling around him like a living cloak. In the blink of an eye, he’s gone, leaving me alone in the courtyard, pissed off and hungry.
The aftermath of the attack is still evident in the damaged buildings and scattered debris. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly our world can change, of how vulnerable we all are.
With a deep breath, I turn and head into the main building, to search for Blackthorn. We need that blood for Adelaide, and I have a few questions for our esteemed professor. He is being shady as fuck, and I dislike being lied to and told not to worry about shit that is a worry not just for me, but for all of us.
I find Blackthorn in his study, poring over an ancient book. The room is in shadows. The air is thick with the scent of old books and powerful magick. He looks up as I enter, his eyes sharp and knowing, as if he’s been expecting me.
“Mr Sanguine,” he says, closing the book with a soft thud. “I assume you’re here about Miss Black’s blood supply?”
I nod, stepping further into the room. The floorboards creak under my feet, the sound unnaturally loud in the quiet study. “Among other things.”
Blackthorn sighs, rising from his chair. He moves to a cabinet in the corner, its dark wood gleaming in the low light. He pulls out a large flask, its surface etched with symbols I don’t recognise. “This should last her a few days. But Corvus, you must understand - this isn’t a long-term solution.”
I take the flask, feeling the weight of it in my hands. It’s heavier than it looks. “What do you mean?”
Blackthorn fixes me with a piercing stare, his eyes seeming to look right through me. “As I’m sure you’re aware by now, Adelaide is unique. Her needs, her abilities, are beyond anything we’ve dealt with before. The blood in that flask will sustain her for now, but eventually, she’ll need more. Much more.”
A chill runs down my spine at his words, the implications settling in my gut like a lead weight. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying,” Blackthorn says slowly, each word measured and deliberate, “that we’re in uncharted territory. Adelaide’s transformation is unprecedented. We don’t know what she’s truly capable of, or what she’ll need to survive.”
