Page 106 of House of Malice
That seemed to have surprised the Dean. But he quickly composed himself. “And who would that be, if I might ask?”
“Me, of course,” Alatar said, smiling. “The board was more than thrilled when I offered to take the position. You see, it would be an honor to have a Black, an alumnus no less, as the head of Venefica.”
Alecto was going to throw up. She gripped her glass so hard, it cracked, and the bubbly wine leaked through her fingers, down on the floor.This cannot be happening.
If her father was to take the Dean’s position, she would not be able to avoid him anywhere. Venefica was her territory. Her safe space where he couldn’t reach her whenever he wished.
“Well, then,” the Dean said. His demeanor had changed, his mood darkening. “We’ll see about that.”
He walked away without another word.
“Well played,” Galliermo said. “He didn’t see it coming.”
“Is that the truth?” Val asked carefully. “Will you, Alatar, be the new Dean?”
Alatar nodded. “Yes, Valeria. We have proposed the new plan to the board, and they like it. Of course, the process is long and tedious, and Gondalez will probably fight back. So it might take a little while.”
“Excuse me,” Alecto murmured and left.
She couldn’t be there anymore. She needed some fresh air. Or maybe to faint.
From the lounge, she walked outside, onto the backyard. There were still too many people, so she took the path that led to the side of the property.
The gravel path was lined with thick bushes, shielding her from the outside world. The sound of crashing waves came from the distance.
Alecto found it hard to breathe. Each time she inhaled, it felt as if something were crushing her chest and she couldn’t get enough air.
Finally, the gravel path ended, and rocky sand began. Alecto kicked off her high heels and walked towards the end of the cliff.
It was only her, and the ocean roaring as the waves crashed into the rocks underneath.
The view of the moon lazily hanging above the ocean blurred, and Alecto realized she was crying. She touched her wet cheeks with trembling hands.
An image of her inching closer to the edge of the cliff and then taking the step into the void popped up in her mind. It would be so easy to end it.
To finally be free.
“Baby.” Blaze’s voice brought Alecto back to her body.
She blinked the tears away and turned to him.
“I’m sorry.”
Alecto shook her head. “I can’t—” Her voice cracked. “I can’t be there if he’s at Venefica all the time. Everywhere.”
Blaze wrapped his arms around her, keeping her close to his chest. He cradled her head in his palm and held her while the tears spilled from her like a waterfall.
When she started shaking, he held her tighter.
“He said it might take some time for things to settle,” Blaze said once Alecto calmed down. She sniffled, still keeping her face buried in his chest. “We will figure something out, okay? I won’t let him lay a single finger on you ever again, you got it?”
Alecto nodded. Then she mumbled into his shirt, “I cried all over your shirt.”
Blaze’s chest shook with a chuckle. “Don’t worry about it.”
With a sigh, Alecto pushed herself away. She looked up at Blaze, and he leaned down to give her a sweet, gentle kiss.
“I will protect you,” he said, leaning his forehead against hers. “I promise you that.”
