Page 23 of Midnight Reign
My father studies me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, to my surprise, he smiles. “You’re in love with her.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I? I’ve never seen you this protective over anyone.”
“This is different,” I mutter, but I know it sounds weak. I’ve inadvertently put Addy in my father’s crosshairs, which is never a good thing.
“Is it?” My father’s voice softens slightly. “Love isn’t a weakness, son. It can be a strength, if you let it.”
“It doesn’t matter. What matters is keeping her safe. There’s something big coming, Dad. Something that’s got everyone on edge.”
“And that is why I’m here,” he says, getting back to business. “The board will convene for a meeting tomorrow.”
I nod. “Look, I need to get back to Adelaide. She needs blood.”
He turns his nose up. “The synthetic kind, I presume.”
“Unfortunately,” I mutter.
“Go,” he says, with a nod of his head. “And keep that girl safe, Corv. She is more important than you can fathom.”
“I know,” I murmur and turn back to the dining hall, glad that this meeting with Dad wasn’t as bad as I was expecting.
Yet.
10
ADELAIDE
I’m sittingon my bed half naked in just Zaiah’s black tee. It smells distinctly of him, of exotic spice. I feel restless and anxious. Corvus still hasn’t returned with the synthetic blood, and the hunger gnaws at me, a constant ache in the pit of my stomach. Zaiah, half clothed in just his combat pants now, and Ignatius are sprawled out beside me, both looking as worried as I feel.
“He should be back by now,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair, and then pulling on the strands in front of my face, in a nervous habit I have never done before.
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Zaiah says, but I can hear the uncertainty in his voice as he climbs off the bed to stare out of the window.
Suddenly, there is a tug on my soul, deep down, and a familiar presence washes over me. My head snaps up just as Zephyr materialises in the room, emerging from the shadows like he was born from them.
“Zephyr!” I exclaim, leaping off the bed and throwing myself into his arms. He catches me easily, holding me close. I breathe in his scent - night air and something darker, more primal. “You’re back.”
“I am,” he murmurs into my hair, also drawing in a deep breath. “And I come bearing gifts.”
He pulls back slightly, producing an old, leather-bound book. “Maps of MistHallow. Every secret passage, every hidden room.”
Ignatius whistles low. “Now that’s what I call useful.”
Zephyr’s eyes darken as he looks around the room. “Where’s Corvus?”
“Getting synthetic blood,” I explain. “He’s been gone a while, though.”
A frown creases Zephyr’s brow. “That’s not good. He should have been back by now.”
“That’s what we were just saying,” Zaiah comments, moving closer to examine the book Zephyr brought.
Ignatius stands up, stretching. “I’ll go look for him. Maybe he got held up somewhere.”
As Ignatius heads for the door, it bursts open, revealing a dishevelled Corvus. His hair is mussed, and there’s a wild look in his eyes that sets me on edge immediately.
“Corvus!” I exclaim, rushing to him. “What happened? Are you okay?”
