Page 109 of House of Malice
Laughing and giggling, the girls made their way towards the two of them.
“Blaze, your father,” Alecto repeated.
Blaze turned his head in his father’s direction. His jaw tightened, and a muscle ticked. And then he cupped Alecto’s cheek and kissed her in front of everyone.
Alecto was shocked, but his lips coaxed her, and she gave in. When he pulled away, he said, “Let’s go, baby.”
Jolene and Leigh walked with them, clearly tipsy.
“Alecto,” Jolene said once they were in the hallway. “Thank you for organizing such a beautiful evening for us. I love you.”
She hugged Alecto, and Alecto laughed. Then it was Leigh’s turn. She hugged Alecto tightly and said, “Thank you, truly. It is a magical evening that wouldn’t have been possible without you.”
“You’re welcome,” Alecto said, smiling. “I’m so glad you both enjoyed the celebration.”
Blaze led them to Alecto’s father’s study. Val, Andro, and Gael were already there.
“Finally,” Val said, crossing her arms. She sat behind Alatar’s desk. “We have business to discuss, for fuck’s sake.”
“Yeah, we do,” Alecto said.
“So, for those who weren’t present when the conversation took place,” Val said, “our alumni just announced to the Dean that they are getting him replaced. And what’s even better is that the replacement will be none other than Alatar.”
“What?” Jolene asked, rubbing her face. “They told that to the Dean?”
“Alatar Black will be the next Dean?” Leigh asked. She appeared as confused as Jolene. “That is huge.”
“No, he will not,” Alecto said.
All eyes turned to her. Val arched an eyebrow.
“He won’t be the Dean because he’s dead,” Alecto clarified.
The silence in the room was deafening.
“He’s dead?” Andro asked. “He was just alive. I saw him twenty minutes ago. What do you mean he’s dead?”
Alecto glanced at Blaze. He lit up a cigarette and nodded.
“Yeah, well a lot has happened since then. And now he’s dead,” Alecto said, crossing her arms and tilting her chin up. “I killed him.”
“You—what?” Jolene frowned. “Your father? Alecto!”
“I had every reason to,” Alecto said. “He was not a good man. And he deserved to die. So it wasn’t intentional, but it happened. Which means we don’t have a new Dean.”
“Where is the body?” Val asked.
“At the bottom of the ocean, I hope,” Alecto said.
Val pursed her lips. “Let’s hope he is truly dead. Was Blaze with you?”
Alecto nodded.
“Okay. We were all with you,” Val said. “Everyone who is in this room right now will say they were with you, outside smoking a fucking joint if anyone asks. Do you understand?”
Everyone nodded.
“Good,” Val said. “We have to prepare for anything now. The Dean might be triggered by the news, and Gods know what he has planned for us. And the alumni will have to deal with Alatar’s disappearance, and that might be another set of problems.”
