“As you say,” Rumlock nodded. “The darkness that covets her threads is the true concern. There are forces at work intent on keeping yourDilectusfrom completing her bondedVinculum. For a female to have so many fated at risk can only mean something is coming that will either restore or completely shatter the balance.”
“How many fated threads does she hold?”
Rumlock clucked his tongue. “You know that is information I cannot share with you, my prince. To speak such things is to invite dark forces to meddle further.”
“You’re a superstitious old man,” I groaned, wiping a hand roughly down my face. “Why tell me any of this if you’re just going to speak in vague riddles?”
“It’s not superstition when I’ve seen the results of speaking such information aloud. Not when my own whispers have snapped fated threads before they could bond.” Rumlock scowled. “I may not be able to tell you more, but you know the signs of a fated pairing. What little I’ve been able to share should be enough for you to suss out the rest of yourVinculum.”
I took a second to consider his words. Even if he refused to tell me how many mates would be part of our bonded group with myDilectus, he still gave me enough to watch for the signs and find them on my own. If Bechora’s bonds were truly at risk, I needed to move up my timeline to woo her and begin introducing her to more demons until we found the others.
“One last thing, my prince,” Rumlock spoke, interrupting mythoughts. “You may want to extend your vernacular for yourVinculumto include brood, lest you waste time searching in the wrong direction.”
“Vampires?” I asked. Rumlock pressed his lips together in a firm line and narrowed his eyes at me. I let out a heavy sigh and shook my head at his refusal to answer. “Very well. I will brush up on the terminology for other supernaturals. You have done well bringing this to my attention, though I must caution you to find other means of getting my attention in the future. I will not tolerate putting myDilectusin danger a second time.”
The professor let out a derisive snort. “She was never in danger. The magic in the arena wouldn’t have allowed her to come to mortal harm. But I will account for your most protective instincts should I need to speak to you outside of classes in the future. I wish you luck, my prince, and will pray to the Morrigan on your behalf.”
“I doubt the Fae goddess cares for our kind, but I thank you anyway,” I replied with a curt nod before turning to leave.
“Who better to care for a species born of war than the Goddess of death and war herself?” I heard him call out as I strode from the training pitch.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at how Fae the half-demon seemed in his belief before letting my mind mull over the information he’d given me. The professor provided enough clues to figure out that Bechora had more mates than was usual even for my kind, and unlike other females who mated into demonVinculum, not all of herDilectiwould be demon-kind. I was going to need allies, to not only win her over and complete our bond, but to help find her other males. A wide grin split my face as I decided I knew exactly who to ask.
I arrived at Magus House moments later. Several mages milled around their common room, giving me wary glances when they noticed my presence. Not wanting to waste time assuaging their unwarranted fear of my kind, I grabbed the collar of the nearest male mage.
“I’m looking for Miles Dalton. Where is his room?”
“Room two-oh-one,” the male squeaked out.
“Thank you.” I smiled, releasing his collar and patting him on the shoulder before making my way to the stairs on the other side of the room.
It took me a few minutes to find the correct room, but I was pleased when Miles opened the door after the first knock. The sudden loss of color in his face that greeted me was another story.
“Are you well, Miles?” I asked, studying the lean male for any signs of injury.
“Uh, um, Zypher. Hi, uhm, hello. What can I help you with?” His words came out jumbled with a slight tremor.
Grabbing his shoulder gently, I turned him and walked him into his dorm. “If you are unwell, I can return another time. I simply wished to ask for your assistance. The knowledge of human realm customs that you shared with me over dinner allowed me to realize I will need to… date… myDilectusif I wish to win her over.” Miles shuddered under my grip. “You are unwell, I will come another time.”
“N-n-no,” the mage stuttered. “I’m not sick. I’m just…” He paused, looking over his shoulder at me as if to gauge my reaction. “Honestly, a demon showing up at my door is terrifying enough, but you’re… well, you and I know B said she’d make sure you didn’t rip me apart for touching her hand in spellcasting, and I washed my hands at least a hundred times just in case—”
“I see. You’re babbling, but you’re afraid of me,” I interrupted, causing Miles to pale further as his eyes widened. “I have no wish to harm you. Even if you weren’t friends with myDilectus, your consideration for the impulses males have toward their fated is enough to know you’re no threat to me.”
“Uh, good, that’s… that’s really good,” Miles mumbled, pushing his glasses up his nose with one finger.
I released his shoulders and let him lead me to the couch in the communal space of his dorm room. Miles motioned for me to take a seat while he nervously gathered up textbooks andloose papers spread along the coffee table.
“You said you needed my help with something?” he asked without lifting his gaze from the items he gathered up.
“Yes. I’d like to plan one of these dates you spoke of at dinner. Something that will impress myDilectus.”
“I’m not really sure I’m the right person for the job,” he replied with a wry smile. “I mean, I barely know Bechora. Shadrie would probably be able to provide you with better information on what she likes and dislikes.”
“I’m sure the ice mage would tell me what I wanted to know, but you are less likely to spoil the surprise. After all, us males need to stick together, yes? I think that’s called bro code.”
Miles’ head snapped up, and he let out a laugh of disbelief. “Who taught you bro code?”
Letting my amusement show clearly on my face, I grinned at him. “I may not have had reason to learn your realm’s customs before Bechora, but I met others from there. This is my third year at the Academy; it’s not like I could avoid them completely.”
