Page 83 of Mortal Blood
“The blood?” I murmured. It had only been a few hours since I’d fed from him, but it hadn’t been that much blood. Maybe supe blood was more potent? It was probably was one of those things that all vamps grew up knowing. I canted my head, watching the two figures. “Does it seem weird to you that they’re just standing there, this time of night?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think they might be…waiting? For us?”
“I do.”
“Well, that’s probably not good. We’re definitely not at war yet, right?”
“We’re not. But they’re not students.”
I looked again, and then shook my head. “They could be. No-one wears uniforms this late at night.”
“It’s not the clothes. It’s the scent.”
“The scent?”
“One of them’s fae. And I know the scent of every fae in the academy.”
“Fuck.” I gaped at him. “I amsofar behind.”
“I think that’s about to be the least of our worries, princess.”
I notched my chin and shrugged. “We’ve got nothing to hide.”
We walked the rest of the way in silence, though I couldn’t help but notice how close Cole stayed to me, and how the tension never left his shoulders, nor the protectiveness his eyes.
“Callista Ellis?” the one on the right, the one who was unmistakably fae—though I couldn’t have told you why—said, stepping from the shadows. The guy on the left hung back, andin the same way, I knew he was a shifter.
“Who’s asking?” Cole said coldly.
“No-one’s askingyou, pup,” the shifter said, his eyes locking onto my mate. Cole squared his shoulders in response, and both men bristled. Shit. In about three seconds this was going to become a blood bath.
“Yes!” I said, stepping quickly. “That’s me.”
The fae nodded and stepped forward, then grabbed my arm before I could react. Something cold snapped around my wrists and I stared down at them…and the set of cuffs binding them together.
“Callista Ellis, by order of the council I am placing you under arrest.”
“What for?” I demanded, as the shifter moved to block Cole, who glared at him. Shit. I needed him thinking straight, because someone had to get me out of this mess, and I was pretty sure no-one else round here was in my corner. I shot him an urgent look, and shook my head. He settled back, turning his attention to the fae.
“She asked you a question,” he ground out. “On what grounds are you arresting my mate?”
“She’s under arrest for leaving the academy grounds in direct violation of a council order. Do you deny it, Ellis?”
“No, but—”
“I don’t buy it,” Cole said. “Since when do you arrest people for taking a walk against orders?”
“Since she used that walk to arrange for another person to violate a council remand order.”
“What?” I looked from him to Cole and back. “I didn’t— I don’t… Who are you talking about?”
“Like you don’t know,” the shifter snapped.
“I don’t!”
“Your mom,” Cole said quietly. “They’re talking about your mom.”
