Page 88 of House of Ruin
Leigh smiled. “I went to see Professor Namiad after I managed to copy half the file. I returned to the police archives the next day to finish the job, and guess what happened?”
“The file was gone,” Blaze said.
“Yes.” Leigh nodded. “So the file you have only has half the only information about the murders that happened back in 1952.”
“That is fascinating,” Val said. Her gaze was on something over their heads, a frown between her eyebrows.
Alecto rubbed her hands together in a pathetic attempt to warm herself as she awaited wicked plan Val was about to conjure in that sick mind of hers.
“You’ve been more than useful, Leigh. Thank you,” Val said finally. “Now I’m going to ask you to leave us. Jolene will come find you once we discuss some things in private.”
With one last glance at Jolene, Leigh nodded and headed towards the metal ladder. Once the Snakes were alone in the cold night, Val clapped her hands once and said, “Professor Namiad is busy networking with the faculty and alumni at the party right now.”
“Val, whatever it is you’re about to suggest, it’s a bad idea,” Andro said.
Val ignored him.
“We’re going to return to the party and enjoy our night keeping an eye on her,” Val said. She then turned to Alecto, smirking. “While you and Blaze will break into her office to see if you can find the original police report.”
Every hair at the back of Alecto’s neck stood. “Why us? Why don’t you go yourself?”
Val’s smile widened, but it was cold as the frosty air.
“You two disappearing together in the middle of the party won’t raise any red flags,” Val said. She eyed Alecto. “Everyone’s talking about how you two are an item.”
Alecto straightened her spine, refusing to show how uncomfortable Val’s words made her. She hadn’t heard such gossip going around.
“Second, you both arelegacy. Even if you get caught, the repercussions are going to be much lighter for you than they would be for me.”
Alecto rolled her eyes.
“And it’s not like I can send Jolene or Andro to do something like that.” Val scoffed. “Jolene’s gonna start crying, and Andro’s gonna have a panic attack before he even breaks into the office.”
“Fuck you, bitch,” Andro and Jolene both cursed at the same time.
Val only laughed.
Then she turned towards the ladder. “The White Ball won’t last all night. You better hurry.”
33
Blaze held the light orb in his hand while Alecto kneeled in front of the door to Professor Namiad’s office, her long black silk dress pooling around her. Blue and black glitter ornaments covered her arms, almost completely obscuring the rose tattoos on her left arm.
“For fuck’s sake,” Alecto muttered underneath her breath, and a moment later, the lock clicked.
Slowly, Alecto lowered the handle, pushing the door, and they entered the office.
“Lock it,” Blaze said once he closed the door behind him. “If it’s open when the professor returns, she’ll definitely know someone’s inside.”
Alecto didn’t argue as she cast a spell to lock the door again.
They were left to stand in the darkness of the office, illuminated only by the light orb in Blaze’s hand.
She looked as beautiful as ever, even if a little bit more tired than usual.
Blaze frowned as he inspected Alecto’s sharp features.
“What the fuck are you looking at?”
