Page 122 of House of Ruin
“Norse,” Blaze whispered back. He leaned closer to look inside the kitchen and see the second person. “And—”
Words died in Blaze’s throat as he recognized the bright blue hair.
“Bea,” he finished.
Next to the kitchen island, in the empty room, stood Norse. He held a small vial with red powder in his hand.
Opposite him stood Bea, chewing on her nails while she stared at the vial Norse was trying to hand her.
Bea shook her head. “You said they’d arrest him. He’s free to go. Your plan didn’t work.”
Norse didn’t look bothered. “A mere obstacle. You made a deal with me. There was no talk about changing your mind. I don’t think you can afford such a luxury, can you?”
Bea’s chin was wobbly as she considered the warning. Finally, she took the vial from Norse, her shoulders slumping.
“Good. Now make sure you continue poisoning him until I tell you otherwise.”
Before Norse and Bea left, Blaze took hold of Alecto and swooped them back through the door leading towards the basement.
“What was it?” Alecto asked, her eyes wide.
“It was Norse,” Blaze told her. “He’s the one working with Professor Namiad. And Bea is helping him.”
Alecto blinked, taking in his words. Then she nodded. “Okay. I’ll get Val.”
43
Before Alecto brought the news about Bea to Val, there was one thing she had to take care of first.
“I know you have the notebook,” Alecto said, her voice low. Val smiled at her, and that made Alecto want to slap her across the face. Instead, Alecto dug her nails deeper into Val’s arm. “Give it back to me. Now.”
When Alecto had woken up this morning in her bed, Blaze’s arms wrapped tightly around her, she found Val long gone. Her mother’s notebook had been gone with her.
Val glanced at Alecto’s hand wrapped around her forearm, her sharp nails very close to drawing blood. They stood in the middle of their library, people scattered around them, but Alecto didn’t care who saw them.
Let them talk.
It wasn’t as if things could have gotten worse for the Snakes than they already were.
“Relax, Black. Or you might draw blood.” Val lifted her gaze and smiled. Then she slowly ran her tongue over her plump upper lip. “I’d love another sex ritual with you, a bit dirtier, a little bit bloodier than the last one, but we don’t have time for it now.”
“I’m serious, Val.” Alecto’s fury was making her whole body tremble. “It belongs to me, and I want to get it back. Did you read it?”
“Of course, I read it.”
“You had no right.”
Val twisted her arm out of Alecto’s grip, taking a step back. “Do you want to know what’s in it? It’s your mother’s diary from when she was a student back at Venefica. Filled with secrets of hers and those of others.”
Alecto frowned.
“You will get it back, don’t worry. I only needed it to see what secrets our alumni are hiding and if there was anything that explains what’s going on currently.”
Now it made sense why the notebook had been protected by an elaborate spell and hidden away where nobody would look for it.
“I want it back now.” Alecto crossed her arms. The noise from downstairs came through her cracked door. “Now.”
Val’s lips curled into a smile. “Fine. I’ll get it to you, Black. And I’ll even tell you which page to read first.”
