Page 48 of Mortal Blood
She lifted one shoulder in an easy shrug. “If you say so. Still, when you’re ready for that talk, I’ll be waiting. And amusing myself in the meantime.”
“I’m glad. That you enjoy being here, I mean. But not all ofthe humans do.”
Her expression sobered. “No. And I’m sorry for that, truly.”
“Me, too. And I’m still trying to make it better.”
I pushed open the door at the end of the short hallway and stepped inside the small communal area that served as a common room for the academy’s humans. It was much like I remembered it from my last visit—bland and basic, lacking any of the ostentatious luxury that was lavished on the feeding den. It was brightly lit, but not with the convincing artificial sunlight that most of the academy shared. Instead, it was more akin to cheap artificial lighting which reflected harshly from the white tiled floors—which had been designed to make the blood easier to see and clean, Sam had once told me.
The chairs and couches were the same hard and uninviting specimens I’d seen on my last visit, but as then, they were still in use. This time, I noted, some of the occupants were engrossed in new-looking books. The bookcase, which’d had only a couple of dozen books, now seemed filled to overflowing. Thaden had kept his word, then. Not that I’d expected otherwise. Not even he was arrogant enough to think he could get away with breaking that promise without me noticing. Probably.
“Cali!” Sam said, looking up from his book and quickly scrambling to his feet.
“Hey, Sam. Uh, no need to get up.”
“Yeah, don’t give her ideas,” a bitter voice said as its owner sashayed through the doorway. I glanced over to see one of the humans I’d spoken to on my last visit—Celine? Celia?
Sam rolled his eyes. “You should try being grateful, Celeste.”
“To her? You must be joking. She sends a few books andwe’re supposed to fall at her feet?”
“Um, you’re really not,” I put in quickly. “I just wanted to check in.”
Celeste snorted and looked away.
“Ignore her,” Sam said, crossing to me. “How are you?”
“Oh, you know, trying to get through the year without anyone killing me when the whole academy wants me dead.”
“Not thewholeacademy,” he said.
“Right.” I gave him a grateful smile. He had more reason than most to hate me after getting caught up in Thaden and Thessalia’s scheme, but somehow he didn’t. “Why is that, by the way?”
“You’re trying, which is more than can be said for anyone else. And, you know, you’re not aterribleperson.”
I laughed. “Gee, thanks. You sure know how to compliment a gal.” I swept my gaze around the room, and frowned. “Is it just the books?”
“No, you’re not terrible because of a whole list of reasons, which I’m sure someone will write one day.”
“Funny. No, I meant, haven’t they changed anything other than bringing new books?”
“We’re grateful for whatever we’re given,” he said automatically, and then his eyes tightened in the smallest wince.
“Thought you were breaking that habit,” I said softly.
“Yeah, me too. Not like there’s any point though, right? It’s still going to be a long time until I’m back out in the real world, whatever’s waiting for me out there.”
I squeezed his arm gently with a sad smile.
“I’ll be fine,” he said. “And we are grateful for the books, honestly. But no, there haven’t been any other changes.”
“Thaden,” I snarled. “That lying, cheating leech.”
Sam’s eyes widened, though whether at me accusing Thaden of being a liar, or calling him a leech I wasn’t sure.
“Can you make a wishlist?” I asked him, and then looked around the room, raising my voice so the half dozen humans could hear me. “All of you, can you get together and tell me what you wish would change round here?”
Celeste snorted. “Where’s the point in that? It’s not like you have any actual power.”
