“Have a seat,” I instruct. Normally, I would just confront her about the blood and fire her immediately, but Millie is a dedicated employee. She’s also been at Havenfall since she was young. I’m not sure how young, I never really cared to look into that, but she was recommended by her teachers and quiet, which I valued. More importantly, I know she will answer any questions I have.
She lowers herself into one of the chairs in front of my desk, barely perching on the seat with her back ramrod straight. I let her sit for a moment and stew. I’ve never invited her to sit in my office, so I’m sure she knows something is amiss.
“How long have you been blooded, Millie?” I don’t go right for her heart. She probably has Quinn to thank for that.
I watch her swallow. “Seven months, nearly eight.”
“Working with me, you’re privy to certain information, like when I donate my blood to ease transitions.” She jerks her chin and begins to wring her hands in her lap.
“I’m sure you’re also aware that I only provide for those who are in the throes of a transition. It was never meant to be part of the daily supply for feedings.”
Another nod, this one stiffer.
“Can you explain to me then why you would still be consuming my blood, and how you went about procuring it?” I don’t mask the cold indifference I feel. She winces, either from my tone or the direct question.
“I arrange your deliveries. When I would order yours, I’d slip my order in too. No one questioned me about it for a long time.”
I sit back in my chair, surprised at the ease of her explanation and how neat and tidy it is. “But at some point, someone did raise the issue with you?”
“Tammy,” Millie admits. “I knew I was bending the rules, but…” I wait patiently for her to continue. “But it didn’t seem to bother anyone, and it’s not like I was taking it from someone who needed it,” she explains, easily excusing her behavior.
“Neither did you,” I remind her. Millie looks down at the floor briefly, then lifts her head but doesn’t make eye contact with me. “Youset up the arrangement with Tammy? She works at the blood bank, correct?”
“Yes. She mentioned she was running low and insinuated I should ask you to donate more since I was the one always taking it.”
“So you decided to bribe her into giving it to you?” She doesn’t answer me quickly enough, so I add, “I need to know who approached who, Millie. It won’t affect where you stand. I just need details. Either they come from you or her. It makes no difference to me.”
“I said I would pay for it. I was kind of joking, but not really, and she said okay.” Millie lowers her eyes.
I pull my phone off my desk and shoot Evan a quick text, asking him to send someone to her room to confiscate any blood she still has now that I know she’s not there to put up a fuss. “Don’t worry about a resignation. If you need a few days to pack, let the security office know.” I place my phone back on the desk and look up.
Millie looks shocked, like she never saw this as a possible outcome. I don’t know if it’s denial or sheer positive thinking that has her dumbfounded. “You’re firing me, making me leave?” Her voice is low, as if she’s afraid to say the words out loud.
I stand up and straighten my coat. Now that this is over, I can meet up with Quinn and Evan.
“Headmaster Stone?”
I look over at her. “Was that really a question?”
“I’ve been here for ten years, worked for you for six of those, and you’re firing me, kicking me out of my home because of my blood preferences?”
I raise a single brow at the fact that she’s comparing this to being partial to O negative. “I’m doing you a favor, considering I’mjustfiring you.” If I followed the council’s laws, I would be completely within my rights to kill her for the slight, and she should know that.
“Is it really that easy for you just to let me go?” Millie is standing now too, her hands balled together under her breasts.
Of course it’s that easy.When I don’t respond, she takes a step backwards as if the physical distance can spare her from reality. “Why are you so cruel?” she whines.
It’s clear she’s delusional. “I’m not being cruel,” I state evenly. “Being cruel would imply I cared enough about you or any of this to elicit an actual emotion. I don’t.”
Millie stands rooted in place, staring at me as if I’ve shocked her. I don’t see how any of this is a surprise, but then again, it’s obvious to me now that she’s slightly deranged. Let’s hope her obsession fades when she no longer has access to my blood.
“I’ve had security clean out any blood in your room. I would suggest you avail yourself of the clinic or find a live donor while you’re looking for a new residence.” Thequicklyis implied. My words get her moving. She storms past me with her head down as if she can’t bear the sight of me. I’ll take that as a good sign.
“Millie,” I call just as she’s about to rush out of the main office. She turns around to face me, her eyes wide with hope and a sheen of tears. “Leave your keys on the desk.”
She lets out an unstifled sob while tugging a small set of keys from her pocket. Working frantically to remove a key from the ring, she tosses the remaining ones toward the desk. They hit the floor. I don’t expect she’ll pick them up.
I send a text to Tasha and tell her I will need her to cover any shifts this week that should have been Millie’s. Her reply is swift and unintrusive, a simple, “I understand.” I wonder just how many people knew about Millie and her fixation.
