“Perhaps if you let me check for structures one time,” Dani suggested almost meekly, which meant she knew he wouldn’t like it, “we could determine if a Vampire’s power would really set them off–”
“No!” he practically shouted, which had only increased hers and everyone’s alarm at the fraying of his temper. He softened his tone. “I won’t risk you–or anyone–when we’re socloseto being done with these people. I won’t allow them to take anything more from us when we have them on the ropes.”
But her and Balthazar’s quick looks at one another before meeting his gaze told him that they already thought the Sect of Dawn was taking something fromhim.
“Will you scan the whole world for structures, Grayson, before you allow yourself to be turned?” Balthazar asked lightly.
“If I must, yes.” He felt despair but relief too well up in him at the thought that he couldn’t be turned yet. Not yet. “Once we find the Roan responsible for creating these structures and you or Caemorn rip out of their mind how they are created and how they can be defusedthenI’ll relax. But not before then.”
There was another quick look between Dani and Balthazar. They were communicating telepathically abouthim. He stood up straighter, trying to not let any weakness show.
“It will be fine. I can handle this,” he said and then stalked away.
But he’d practically collapsed on a bench a block away. Kaito had jumped down from a rooftop–he’d been following Grayson–and without a word, swept him up in his arms. He’d taken Grayson back to the dorms to rest. He’d slept since then. And now he felt… okay. Mostly restored. He had enough energy to go to the Kaly party tonight. Well, it wasn’t exactly a party, but it wasn’t a test either. His understanding was that the Kaly were going to allow the students to talk to someone who had died. A family member. A friend. Maybe even someone famous. It would depend on the person and if their souls were
He grabbed his favorite leather jacket and stepped into the hallway. He nearly bumped into Mairead, who was standing outside of Eiji’s old room. She had one hand on the threshold and a guilty expression on her face.
“Hey, Grayson! I was just… ah…”
“Missing Eiji?” Grayson filled in gently, guessing that Mairead was thinking of the older Japanese man. “I spoke to Nero the other day. Eiji is doing great after being turned. He’smore than hitting all his milestones. And, more importantly, he misses you, too.”
Her eyes widened and her expression brightened. “He is? I mean, I’m not surprised! And he mentioned me? That’s so awesome. I… I really wish I could talk to him.” She gazed longingly into his empty room. “I could really use his advice right about now.”
“He wishes he could speak to you, too. But it won’t be safe until you’re turned,” Grayson reminded her.
“Too bad cell phones don’t work here! We could Facetime or Zoom or whatever.” Her hand tightened on the doorframe until her knuckles went white. “But even that might be problematic, right? He could seduce me to come to him so he could feed.”
“It really depends on the person,” Grayson said. He knew he was walking another knife’s edge as he spoke to her about this. Hopefully, she would think his extra knowledge came from being so close to Ryder. “Christian and Julian were completely in control when they were turned. Nero isn’t an Immortal–and clearly isn’t Daemon–but he is a very old Vampire. Some of his strength will support Eiji.”
“And Eiji is used to controlling himself,” she pointed out.
Grayson nodded. “He is. But he cares about you too much to chance it.”
“I heard that some Masters are really possessive too and don’t want their fledglings around others for a while,” Mairead said uneasily.
She probably worried that even when she was turned that Nero wouldn’t let her and Eiji be together. But there was no chance of that. It simply wasn’t Nero’s way. He already wanted to throw some really big parties to celebrate Eiji’s turning. He desired to celebrate his newest Childe, not hide him away.
“I wouldn’t worry about that,” Grayson said. “Nero… doesn’t strike me as that sort of person.”
“Me either.” Mairead flashed him a brief smile. “We were like three peas in a pod, you know?”
“I do.” Grayson nodded.
Nero had told him he liked Mairead very much and was considering asking one of the other Ashyr to turn her. He felt that she and Eiji had a very close connection and it would be hard on both of them to be apart. Grayson had no problem with this. Mairead was an acquired taste, but he admired her loyalty, quick mind and actually found her quite endearing. He’d been about to give his approval when Seeyr herself had approached him and Nero.
“Seeyr! What a pleasure!” Grayson had said.
“I hope you don’t mind me stopping by your very sweet rooms.” She’d gazed around his bedroom at the dorms as if she could actuallyseethe place physically, but the wrap of silk still covered the holes where her eyes had been.
“Nero, let’s speak a bit later,” Grayson said. Nero nodded and bowed to Seeyr before heading out, leaving them alone. Moving over to the sitting area before the fireplace, Grayson sat down. “Please come in. Sit down.”
The fire was lit and its warmth reflected against Grayson’s calves. Seeyr sat down easily beside him. They both gazed at the fire quietly for some time.
“How are you doing, Grayson?” she asked.
He opened his mouth to tell her “fine” or something that was a throw away, but his throat grew tight and he found himself unable to say anything at all for a time. Seeyr did not make small talk. She didn’t ask a question that she didn’t really want the answer to.
“Ryder is free of the guilt that plagued him,” Grayson finally said, which didn’t answer howhewas doing.
