“Have you had any run-ins with these students?”
I press my lips together and nod. “Radcliffe was among the Soldiers that attacked campus when I was moving in.”
“How do you know it was him? I imagine they were wearing masks as they typically do.”
My shoulders tense. “His scent.”
“That wouldn’t hold up in court, but it’s good enough for me. Please, continue.”
I walk him through the attack, through Rad’s continued attention and Kelvin’s threats. I tell him of Rad’s attempted assault in as much detail as I can bear. I describe what I learned from Jaime and Trinity about Heather Lindstrom, what threats Rad has made to my person in his macabre courting attempts. I tell him of the dance the night before, sticking to what Rad said to me.
I don’t reveal my affinity to the detective inspector, don’t tell him that I had anything to do with Trinity’s change of heart.
Or her suicide.
“My family is looking to forge a business relationship—an alliance of sorts—with Pack Radcliffe and Radcliffe Industries,” I finally say. “I don’t know what my father knows about Andrew Radcliffe, but he has encouraged me to be… friendly with him. A heavy-handed investigation could be detrimental to that business relationship, hence why I think my father made me lie to you.”
Saints, I wish I knew if I could truly trust this alpha. I’ve probably already said too much if I can’t, but every sense I get from him—both instinctually and from my affinity—tells me he’s trustworthy. Good and honest. Still, I don’t tell him about my locked magic, about the shipping container, or the yet-unknown Project Halcyon.
He taps his pen against the notepad, agitated. “Radcliffe has harassed you this much and nothing has been done about it?”
“Headmaster Langford attempted to expel him. The board overruled him. One of Fairhaven’s senior mage inspectors has questioned me a few times in regards to Radcliffe. He thinks I’m a spiteful, manipulative omega. I think Pack Radcliffe lines his pockets.”
“That’s quite the accusation.”
“Ask for any files on Radcliffe. There won’t be any.”
“I didn’t say that I don’t believe you, Miss Rose. But I don’t think I’ll have the help of local law enforcement as I look into this, which will make this all much more challenging. But I’ve been investigating the Soldiers of Saint Aldous for too long to be dissuaded. Was there anything else?”
I bite my lower lip and finally admit that I think Rad has been following me. “I don’t have proof, but I’ve caught his scent where he shouldn’t be allowed—within the wards of the omega residences at Fairhaven. He… he seems to have an unnatural knowledge of my comings and goings.”
Now he studies me, amber eyes crinkling. “You’re a brave young woman, Miss Rose. I don’t know if I’ll be able to be of service regarding Radcliffe’s personal interest in you—at least not without the support of local law enforcement, which, if you’re correct, we won’t receive. But you have my contact information. If I can be of any assistance, don’t hesitate to use it. Please, if there are any further developments, with the Soldiers or personally with Mr. Radcliffe, get in touch.”
When the Detective Inspector has gone, I fill Luca in on the rest, tears slipping down my cheeks as I describe what happened with Trinity, how I fought with my affinity and ultimately triumphed over Rad’s blood magic—only for Trinity to take her own life.
Luca holds me there on the floor of Quill & Clover’s stockroom, until Marcus’ phone rings.
“Haley,” he answers, then cuts a wide-eyed look my way and mouths two damning words, “Your father.”
“Miss Rose is in her nest,” my honor guard lies. “She must be taking a nap and have missed your call.”
Fuck. I’ve only been carrying my burner phone lately—the one my father can’t track or trace.
“Yes, I’ll ensure she’s ready and at the academy’s front gates by then. Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
He hangs up and I think the worst. “He’s taking me home?”
Marcus shakes his head. “Dinner with your family, which sounds bad enough. But we’re cutting this too close. We need to get back to the cottage.”
* * *
Dinnerwith my family is a tense affair. We’re in a private dining room at one of Fairhaven’s most upscale restaurants. Our server has assured us that we’ll have the utmost privacy, and that we won’t be bothered by waitstaff until we summon them.
That gives my father the perfect opportunity to lay into me for the small scrap of truth I told the detective inspector in my first meeting with him.
I bow my head and keep my voice soft, obsequious. “My apologies, Father. I didn’t think saying that Trinity acted under duress would be problematic.”
“That’s the problem, daughter. You never think. Your friend was clearly very troubled. Under duress? In what manner?” He shakes his head. “And then there’s the issue of Radcliffe. He says you injured him?”
