Page 59 of Mortal Blood
“And Thaden has fulfilled most of his promises with the resident humans.”
“Most?” Ling frowned, setting her book right down on the table in front of us.
“Yeah. Turns out swinging the time in the grounds is proving tricky. But the last of the new furniture arrived last week, and I’m not kidding Ling, you should have seen their faces.” I shook my head bitterly. “It was like it was Christmas.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Ling said carefully, watching my face.
“It’s furniture. Basic, functional furniture. How did anyone let their situation get so bad thatfurnitureis the highlight of their year?”
“Good job they’ve got you to turn things around for them. I’m serious, Cali. You should be proud of what you’ve achieved. Centuries of tradition doesn’t just get turned around overnight.”
“See, that’s the thing though. It’snotcenturies of tradition. Astor was—” I glanced around, and despite the fact that we were, as usual, utterly alone in the library, I lowered my voice. “Astor was human once, and not ‘raised by vampires in some kind of twisted adoption’ human. She grew up knowing nothing about vampires. How could she have allowed things to get this bad? It’s almost like…” I shivered. “Like she wants them to suffer.”
“Well, they’re suffering less because of you.”
“Right, but what happens when I graduate?”
The question hung between us unanswered until I turned back to the abandoned book in front of me. “One problem at a time, I guess. How many of these journals do we have left to go through?”
Ling glanced to her right. “Twenty-eight.”
Twenty-eight more journals of past academy dominas and domini—and these things werelong.But if there was a record of any shifter leading a pack from within the academy, there was a pretty good chance it’d be here. Finding it, on the other hand…
With a groan, I slid my book closer to me. “Still, itmightbe in this one, right?”
“That’s the spirit. Delusional optimism. Wait…”
“Ha ha, very funny.”
“No, Cali,look.”
She slid her book across to me, almost sending it right over the edge of the table in her excitement. I scanned the text quickly.
It grieves me to record the loss of Alpha Victor and his heir apparent Samuel during the Battle of Bloodswood. Their unfortunate demise has left the Nightfleet pack bereft of leadership at a time when strength and stability are most needed.
As there are no remaining direct descendants to assume the mantle, the pack has summoned Victor's nephew and current Darkveil pupil, Athelstan. Despite Athelstan’s youth and inexperience, as Victor's closest living kin it is his bloodright to take up this duty.
Though I have my doubts, the urgency of the situation leaves little alternative. As domini of this institute, I shall render what aid I might to ensure that Athelstan has what support he requires to maintain his position while he completes his education.
“It’s not exactly his position, I know,” Ling said, “but…”
“But it’s close enough.” I pushed my chair back. “I need to tell Cole.”
“Go.” She bundled the book into my arms, and I hurried out of the library, excited and terrified in equal measure. Because this…this meant it was real. Cole would have to fight his father.
“Careful, dhampir girl.”
I jerked my head up to see Jax’s grinning face right in front of me.
“Er, sorry. Got to go, bye!”
I stepped round him quickly and hurried away, and it wasn’t until I reached the dorms that it occurred to me to wonderwhyJax had been going to the library. I shook my head. Somehow, I didn’t think he was there for the books.
“Hey, princess,” Cole said as I stepped into our dorm, pulling me into his arms and inhaling deeply. For a moment, I melted into his hug, enjoying the closeness of his body against mine. It truly did feel like coming home.
And then I pulled back.
“What’s wrong?” he asked immediately, scrutinizing my face. “Who upset you?”
