“Indeed you are,” Caemorn agreed. “But now it is time for us to be.”
Tarn and Farun let out soft whines and hunkered down on either side of Caemorn. They leaned their big furry bodies against his as if to comfort him. He absently scratched them between their ears, which flickered happily.
“I am fine,” Caemorn assured them both, but the werewolves seemed unconvinced and snuffled his Grandsire’s neck with their snouts.
“Are any of us truly fine?” Balthazar sighed and shook his head. He’d lowered his hands and let them fall into his lap. “This is a disaster. There have been some injuries. No deaths, thankfully. It was all caught on camera. Already, those blastedreporters are trying to smuggle what they’ve recorded out of the Ever Dark. Of course, none of that is going to work. But I am going to have my hands full of eliminating memories and creating new ones they’ll believe.”
“Why we ever allowed reporters into the school is beyond me,” Caemorn groused.
“Because we had to. We’re trying to pretend this is the Disneyland of Vampires. A fun, cool, spooky experience, but totally safe,” Balthazar’s voice was full of smarm. He pinched the top of his nose. “I don’t know if that was my best idea.”
“No, but as you said: we had to,” Caemorn admitted. “In order for us to be accepted, we must give the illusion of transparency, control and safety to humanity. Otherwise, we would be locked in a war with them already.”
“Grayson has had some interesting interactions with the students, Hue and Eiji, of course. They are more accepting of the violence and danger than he’d thought they’d be,” Balthazar said with a hopeful note. “Of course, he’s already snapped up Eiji for himself.”
“Are you surprised? Eiji is a general in his own right. His clan is powerful. Luckily, he has covered his tracks and the news reports have been few and far between about who he really is,” Caemorn said. “But you helped with that.”
“I did.” Balthazar beamed. He then turned that beam towards Elgar. “Elgar helped the most.”
Elgar blushed and held the skull more tightly against his chest. “Master is kind to say. Whispering to humans is quite easy. Especially reporters. They are always listening.”
“Yes, they most certainly are.” Balthazar ran a hand through his hair. “Speaking of listening, I’m keeping an ear on Ryder’s–I meanWeryn’s–discussion with Grayson. It’s going about as well as one would expect.”
“Meaning it’s going badly,” Caemorn stated bluntly as he glared down at the empty hole in the floor.
“Oh, yes, but Weryn is avoiding memories too. Or I should say that Weryn does not want to believe a bunch of things because if he does, he fears he will be called to account,” Balthazar explained as he clearly rifled through the other Immortal’s mind. “Grayson is none too happy. But at least it’s making him consider whether ignoring his life as Grayson is the best idea. Ah, and he’s leaving. He thinks–”
“He remembers Legion’s favorite places. He goes to Forsworn,” Elgar said and looked at the skull.
“Back to his own Ever Dark city?” Balthazar’s eyebrows rose as he confirmed it. He stood up, dusting off his knees. “Well, he cannot go alone.”
“No, he cannot, Master.” Elgar thrust the skull towards Balthazar.
“Ah, Elgar, what do you want me to do with your–I mean,my–skull?” Balthazar stared at it distastefully.
“You must keep it safe, Master. I cannot risk it getting damaged when I travel with Weryn to Forsworn,” Elgar said and waggled the skull at him.
“You–you wish to go with Werynwithoutthe skull?” Balthazar finally took it carefully, though it appeared more to do with his dislike of it and not respect for his formal remains.
“Yes, Master. I will need both hands. Legion is dangerous,” Elgar said.
“Ah, yes and–”
“I trusted him, Master. He betrayed my trust. Without my assistance, he could not have discovered Kaly’s secret and joined them,” Elgar explained. “You will take care of the skull, Master.”
“I–ah… well, you know–”
“He will,” Caemorn stated. “I have a box for it.”
Balthazar’s head snapped towards him. “You have aboxfor it?”
“We keep many skulls here. I have a favorite one I will give to Elgar,” Caemorn said.
“Only you would have afavoriteskull box.” Balthazar frowned at Caemorn as if he truly suspected him of other strange tastes. But then he was whipping towards Elgar as Elgar had contacted Sana. “But I haven’t agreed to you going, Elgar! Did we not just discuss how I am intent on protecting you?”
“We did, Master,” Elgar said.
“And you’re still going?” Balthazar looked flummoxed.
