Get away from it, Grayson,Balthazar sounded stern.I will make sure that it is taken somewhere safe.
Trembling slightly, Grayson fully wrenched himself away from the crate.By the time he found the staircase that led up into the mansion, he felt himself again.He crept up the stairs and reached a door.He put his ear against it and listened as hard as he could.He was truly missing his Vampiric senses at this moment.He heard nothing, whether that was because there was nothing or no one was truly there was unclear, but he put a hand on the door handle and cracked the door open.
Warm air redolent with the scent of cinnamon wafted over to him.It made the cold, wet air of the basement more apparent.He was sure he was causing a draft.Hearing nothing–like someone saying, “Stop, intruder!”--he slipped through the door and closed it behind him.
He rested his back against the door as he again listened.He was standing in a hallway.There were warm, mahogany wood floors beneath his feet as well as wainscotting.Oil paintings adorned some of the walls.There were vases full of flowers sitting on antique tables.
He knew from the blueprints that he needed to head to his left to find yet another staircase that would take him up to the third floor.Satisfied that no one was going to simply come upon him at any second, he crept down the hallway.The cinnamon scent came from the many red candles that were lit and set strategically to cast warm pools of light as if to light his way to the stairs.Thinking on it, it likelywasmeant to do just that.The Helm wanted people to succeed.
Grayson froze when he saw the front doors to the Helm mansion ahead of him.There were two guards with their backs to him, though at that moment, one of them turned to the other and Grayson dove behind a potted plant.They were laughing and smiling as they spoke.Neither fully looked back into the house through the glass-fronted doors, but he wasn’t going to move until they turned back around to face forward, but then he heard some footsteps coming up behind him.
Fuck!
He kept low to the ground and practically rolled himself around the edge of the bottom of the banister before taking the stairs two at a time.His heart was pounding so hard that he couldn’t hear if he was being followed by the time he got to the third floor.Whatever it was in the crate had taken more out of him than he’d thought.
Shaking it off, he glanced down the third-floor hallway.There were a dozen doors, a few open, but most were closed.He knew that the door he was looking for was the fourth down to the right.It was closed.He started down the hallway when he saw two figures coming towards him from the other end.He dove into the nearest open room and hid behind the door.
“...are you sure?”A female voice asked.
“Yeah, I’m sure.We’renotstudents here, Tasha!”The man's voice answered with a touch of irritation mixed with exasperation.
“But we were told that being Acolytes was another way to become Vampires,” she argued.
That was true.At least it had been in the past, but it was rarer than most Acolytes would have liked even back then.But he didn’t know what the modern Vampires were doing.His understanding was the students were the only way.
“If you want to be certain of turned, mine is the only way,” the man answered.
“But those Vampires aren’t even in the city,” she answered.“That means they’re not following Daemon, right?”
“God, could you not be so loud?Any Vampire could hear you,” the man groused.
“You brought it up!”she sounded disgusted.“And they aren’t in the mansion.”
“Doesn’t matter.Just… look, if you want to find out how to really be turned then you should meet us at…” His voice drifted away as they passed by.
Balthazar, I assume you heard that,Grayson sent.
I did.They will be picked up along with the crate,Balthazar muttered.I should send you sneaking into places more often.
Do you think they’re meeting with someone from the Sect or just with some angry Vampires who don’t want to be part of the school?Grayson asked.
Could be either.In fact, it could be nothing at all.But we’ll see when I look–
You will not be looking into their minds until I test them for structures,Grayson interrupted.After I’m done with this, I’ll test them.
Grayson, I can almost hear Daemon ordering you to bed,Balthazar said, but gently.This is going to be–
Fine.It’s hardly an issue.Just don’t look into their minds until I make sure it’s safe, Balthazar.Even if we have to wait until after I’ve rested.Okay?Grayson insisted.
All right,Balthazar sighed.
You just think you’re a big shot now with having both Kaly and Eyros powers,Grayson teased him.
Of course!I am practically unique!Balthazar preened.
Until I get turned and, hopefully, the same thing happens,Grayson said.
Ah, yes, who will turn you?It’s the question on everyone’s lips.And the answer on everyone’s lips is Weryn!Balthazar laughed.
