“We’ll have to agree to disagree for now.” The levity that Griffin was showing, though it seemed somewhat forced, falls away, and he cradles my face with both hands. “When I asked you to stay put, it was because I want you safe. Need you safe. I will do anything to make sure that happens.”
“Then talk to me about it, Griffin, but you can’t be my bodyguard twenty-four seven.” He lifts one eyebrow, challenging me. “Let me rephrase that. I don’t need or want you to be my bodyguard.”
He lowers his forehead until it’s resting on mine. “I’m asking you for a little grace here. Just until I fully understand everything that’s going on. I can’t lose you.”
I close my eyes and yield to him without much of a fight. “Okay, but this can’t go on forever.”
“It won’t. I won’t allow it,” he states with confidence, believing he can control every outside factor if given the chance. Griffin kisses the side of my face tenderly, then backs away. “Stay with Evan.” I huff, pretty sure our entire conversation just went in one ear and out the other.
After reapplying my mascara, I meet Evan in the living room. “I’m ready when you are.”
Chapter 22
Griffin
Iusually don’t come in on the weekend, so there’s no assistant at the front desk when I enter my office. The empty chair reminds me that I still have to deal with the Millie issue. She can’t be allowed to continue receiving my blood. Her little obsession has gone too far. I’m going to have to find a replacement. I wonder how Quinn would feel about a new position, or maybe I could convince her to move her office into mine. I would feel much better if I could see her all the time just by looking out my door. I could put my assistant in her old office. She’ll never go for it, but it could be fun to try.
It takes me a moment to refocus on the issues at hand. I need to find out if the woman working at the blood bank saw an opportunity to make some extra money and offered to get Millie my blood, or if Millie sought out an avenue to further her obsession. I already have a headache just thinking about dealing with either of them.
I make my way over to the wall and open one of the hidden safes. This office used to be my father’s. He was a great many things, pragmatic being one of them, so when I opened up Havenfall as a school, I took over this space. Not only because I knew it would dry out his corpse a little more to know I was inviting shifters and vampires from lower casts to live here, but because the room has hidden secrets that only I know.
A black, leatherbound book lies among many other useful items inside the small compartment. This book was my father’s, and his father’s before him. It contains the supernatural council’s information, and all the powerful clans and packs of our community with ways to contact them, but that’s not what I’m interested in. What I’m after are the numbers to the four other schools placed throughout the United States that I added to the book myself.
After taking a seat at my desk, I flip the book open. Using the blood caked silk ribbon bookmark, I find the newest entry, then slice the tip of my finger to feed the book. It’s an old custom, one I do without thought.
The phone rings twice after I dial the first number. When it’s picked up, I’m met with silence.
“Blackwood,” I intone.
“Stone,” the female vampire replies evenly.
“I have information that you might find useful.”
“And what might this information cost me?” she asks warily.
I take a moment before answering. Giving away things, even information, especially valuable information, doesn’t usually come cheap. “This will cost you nothing.”
I hear a slight noise in the background, but one would assume the line is empty, considering how deadly quiet she’s gone. “I’m listening,” she eventually responds.
I give her a brief explanation of Wet and the human organization’s involvement, but I do not divulge the events that have taken place at Havenfall. It’s her place to clean her own house.
The other three calls all go similarly. I’m not offended by their wariness of me. I’ve never made an effort to cultivate a relationship, even a working one, with any of my counterparts. I didn’t and still don’t care to. However, the real reason for their apprehension is my rise to power and how it came to be. Not many sons kill their sires, especially with a father as powerful as mine.
After rearranging the book where it belongs, I return to my desk and run my thumb over my phone screen. I’m tempted to call Evan and make sure he’s still with Quinn, but I curb the desire and text Millie.
Me:My office
I don’t feel compelledto add anything more. She will know I mean now.
Millie:On my way.
I don’t haveto wait long before I hear her rushed footfalls on the carpet in the hallway. Her heart rate is erratic. “Headmaster?” she calls once she makes it through the locked front door. I don’t bother to answer her, she’s already on her way to me.
Millie knocks politely on my door and waits for a response before entering. “Come in.”
I assess her and note her casual attire. It’s not her usual style, however it is Sunday and I only texted her ten minutes ago.
“Headmaster,” she addresses me again, as if I didn’t hear her the first time.
