Page 31 of House of Malice
“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” Leigh said. “And the sudden career change… How many artists have you met who want to dabble in college politics?”
“That rarely ever happens,” Andro said. “Most Deans we had previously were politics majors.”
“Exactly,” Leigh said. “So that’s all I could find. But it doesn’t mean there isn’t more there. Venefica has an archive where they keep files on every person who attends and every person who works there. I can’t get in, even with a media pass. And I can’t guarantee you’ll find something there either. But it could be worth a shot, so I thought I would mention it.”
Val nodded. “Thank you.”
“So, doyouthink the Dean is the bad guy?” Alecto asked Leigh.
Leigh shrugged. “I mean… I don’t think there is enough evidence yet, at least from what I have seen. You have a witness, someone who accused the Dean, and then he has a mysterious past. It’s something to keep you alert and cautious for sure. But if you plan on going to the police, I’d advise against it.”
“We’re not going to the police,” Val said. “We’ll deal with it quietly.”
Blaze was curious to find out how Val planned to take down the Dean once they figured out all the missing pieces of the puzzle. It seemed impossible to him, but Val always had something up her sleeve.
“Alright, let’s head back,” Val said. “I have a lecture in an hour.”
They all got ready to go. Blaze kissed Alecto’s temple and said, “I’ll be with you in a few moments.”
He watched their group walk towards the elevators, chatting with Leigh. Once the elevator doors closed, he turned to Moren, who still sat on the emerald couch. The color made her red hair so much starker.
In one hand, she held a glass of whiskey; in the other, a cigarette holder with a smoldering cigarette.
“Mr. Leveau,” she said, and her voice sent shivers down Blaze’s back. He took a seat on the armchair Leigh had occupied before. “It’s been a while.”
“It has,” Blaze said.
“I assume you know what I would like to discuss with you today.”
Blaze nodded.
“Let me ask you a question first, Mr. Leveau,” she said. “Why did you accept my offer?”
He hadn’t thought about it well when he accepted Moren’s offer to get her the chest from his father. It was one of those decisions where his mouth decided before his mind could catch up.
But now, Blaze knew the answer well.
“Because I want to be free of my father’s grip,” he said without hesitation.
Moren eyed him in silence for a moment. “And you think retrieving the chest will help you do that?”
Blaze shook his head. “No, but it is a start.”
“Very well then,” Moren said. “It is time to start acting, Mr. Leveau.”
“I am aware,” Blaze said carefully. “Is there a particular deadline I have?”
Moren tipped her head to the side. “The sooner I am in possession of the chest, the better. For everyone.”
Blaze nodded again. “Next week, there is a party at my family home. I’ll use that to check out the wards surrounding the chest and see how I can break them.”
A corner of Moren’s mouth twitched. “I’m pleased to hear that. You’re free to go.”
Blaze rose to his feet and resisted the urge to bow to the Imp Queen. She didn’t seem to be old-school, and so he only inclined his head and then made his way to the elevator.
He had to find a way to make this work. It was his only hope to free himself from the shackles that had been suffocating him for years.
13
