Page 92 of House of Malice
Blaze crawled back on top of her and braced his hands on each side of her head. “Fine. I’ll let you rest for a moment or two. But then we’re on for round two.” He kissed the front of her neck. “And three. Maybe even four.”
38
This time around, Alecto felt quite confident returning to her family home. She knocked on the door, and when the Crahen opened, she and Blaze went inside.
“You sure your father is home?” Blaze asked, his voice low.
“I checked in with his assistant this morning,” she said. “He’s home for an hour between his meetings.”
“Alright. Lead the way then.”
Alecto nodded. Then she drew her shoulders back and walked towards her father’s study on the left wing of the house.
Their feet shuffling against the hardwood floor was the only sound in the corridor. When Alecto reached the door to the study, her confidence diminished.
She didn’t want to go in.
She didn’t want to talk with her father.
Blaze slipped his hand in hers and gave her a gentle squeeze. Alecto’s heart calmed, and she knocked on the door.
“Come on in,” Alatar said from the other side.
Blaze dropped her hand before Alecto opened the door, entering the study. He was right behind her. She could feel the heat from his body.
Alatar’s eyes widened in surprise when he noticed Blaze. Then a wide smile spread on his face, and he got on his feet. “Blaze, Alecto, what a surprise,” he said and motioned to the two white chairs in front of his desk. “Please come, have a seat. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Good afternoon, Alatar,” Blaze said and shook her father’s hand.
Alecto and Blaze both sat down, and so did Alatar.
He leaned back into his chair and laced his fingers together. “Well, how’s everything at Venefica?” he asked, looking between the two of them. “Sweet pumpkin, I hope they didn’t cancel the play just because that Fox boy got into trouble?”
“No, Father. The play is still on,” Alecto said. It took a lot of effort to keep her voice steady. “One of ours is playing the role Norse had.”
“Ah, I’m pleased to hear that,” Alatar said. “Snakes deserve to have the stage.”
Blaze nodded in agreement.
“So, if everything is alright at college, why are you here?”
Alecto tilted her chin up. “I am here to ask a favor, Father.”
“Do tell, Alecto. What favor?”
“You are leaving for a trip next week, correct?”
Alatar nodded.
“Well, I was wondering if we could borrow the house for a party while you’re away.”
Alatar barked a laugh. “A party? Here? Of course. This house wasn’t built to stand alone. It was meant to be appreciated. What’s the occasion, if I might ask?”
Alecto was tempted to tell him the truth, purely because she was curious to see his reaction to the news. But she didn’t want to do Jolene dirty, not on such a special occasion.
“No occasion,” Alecto said with a shrug. “We just wanted to throw a party for the faculty and students. It’s been a while since we had an opportunity to wow other Houses.”
Alatar regarded her for a moment, and Alecto thought he wouldn’t believe her excuse. But Alatar was a Snake. And he was vain enough to take this reason as a valid reason for a party.
