Page 48 of Venomous Lies
“This is Demir,” Falke answered since my brother had remained silent. “He’s a colleague of mine.”
I blinked slowly, staring at the centaur, then my brother, wondering what that meant. Did Falke work for Onyx, like Demir and Mom? Or was Demir dispatched here for some kind of job? My brother’s face gave nothing away. He stared blankly at me, his hair stirring in the breeze as he waited for me to keep talking.
What the hell is going on here?
Either way, this shit definitely didnotinvolve me, and my plate was already overflowing.
“Did you have any other questions for me, Professor?” I asked as I started to step away, creeping in the direction of my dorm. “If not, there’s something I need to do for herbology over the weekend, and I really need to get started?—”
“Miss Hallowes,” Professor Falke grumbled, stepping forward as if to stop me from leaving. Apparently, my evasions were noticed and not appreciated. Before he could continue, Demir smoothly stepped forward, taking over the conversation.
Or at least he attempted to.
“The conservatory is not required to share information with the students,” Demir said, his voice as bland as his face. “So, if you?—”
“How would I be able to give you information if I’m unsure what is noteworthy or not?” I cut in smoothly. “Since, as you just said, I don’t have all the information.”
“We could start with discussing the disturbance that just occurred in the dining hall. Did you see anything?” Falke intervened, shooting Demir a look to be quiet.
“An disturbance?” I questioned, keeping my tone and face neutral.
‘This is going to go well.’
‘Give me commentary later,’I hissed.
“Someone attacked a student in the hall, and another student ran out of the building in a panic. Not a normal occurrence here,” Professor Falke stated, his hooves and legs moving as if he were shifting his weight.
“I’m not sure I can really expand on anything that happened. I was there, sure, but I was minding my ownbusiness and getting breakfast with my friends.” I shrugged. “Who was attacked?”
“Witnesses said you were involved in the altercation,” Demir said, an eyebrow arching as he studied my face. “Would you like to rethink your answer?”
“What proof do you have that they’re telling the truth? Besides, maybe the important question to be asking would bewhysomething happened at all.” I laughed softly. “Regardless, I have a project to work on and more important things to think on. Professor Falke, if I could be excused?”
“But—” Demir started, but he quieted when Falke held up a hand.
“We’ll see you around, Miss Hallowes. But a word of caution, we will be keeping an eye on you.”
I nodded in acknowledgment then started walking back to my dorm.
Why the fuck is Demir here? And why did his presence set off every alarm in my mind?
Not to mention the fact that he wasn’t going to have a good reaction to me being mated. The longing looks and glances I’d ignored in the past would be unavoidable once he realized I was tied to a fated mate.
Just when Echo was somewhat calming down, life had to add more uncertainty to my plate. This was going to be a complete fucking shit show.Honestly, the story of my life right now.
‘There could be a good reason that he’s here, something that isn’t bad news,’Cas proposed as I drew closer to the dorm buildings.
‘Like what? And how does he know Professor Falke?’I countered, taking a deep breath as I neared my dorm building.‘Could he work for Onyx with Demir?’
‘How much do you know about the company that your mom and brother work for?’
‘Really not that much. Do you know anything about it that I don’t?’I added when he didn’t reply right away.
‘I don’t think so,’Cas answered slowly.‘But it’s always good to ask questions. Maybe we will find out.’
‘Maybe.’
‘Now, to just figure out this potion and make it by the end of the weekend.’I sighed, rolling my shoulders as if that would help me at all.‘I have no idea how I’m going to do this.’
