Smart man.
“Delvin.” King Elverson nods and looks between us, categorizing our similarities: our gray eyes, sepia skin tone, and brunette hair. “What is your relationship with this student?” he asks, wrinkling his nose in disgust as if he suddenly finds my presence foul.
“She’s my daughter,” Dad says simply with bass in his tone and fire in his eyes.
“I didn’t know Nerezza was your daughter,” he accuses and gives me another once-over. “She looks nothing like you.”
Rude!Especially when he just took the time to look us over, you can easily see a resemblance.Asshole.
“Would that knowledge change the way you treat her?” he causally asks, pointedly looking at the King’s cape where he has his sword hidden once again.
How does Dad know him, or what is their history, I wonder?
A slight flicker of a smile appears on Elverson’s lip that I almost miss before he answers.
“You of allthingsshould know; if I see trash, I deal with it as trash.” He sneers before he turns and walks off with Emer sputtering behind him.
“But Daddy…”
Dad turns to me, looking a slight shade lighter, and takes a deep breath before grabbing me by the shoulders and leaning down into my line of sight.
“Donotgo anywhere with that man alone. He is not safe, do you understand me?” His hands squeeze too hard, causing some pain.
“Yeah, I got that from my vision, but what did he mean by ‘you of all things should know’? What’s your history with him?” Iask, throwing it back in his face. He lets up on my shoulders and runs his hand through his hair.
Gesturing to a stand of trees, he leads me to a small bench where we sit, and he places a spell so we can talk.
“King Elverson is as evil as they come, and I didn’t see it or take the warnings as seriously as I should have. I ended up in debt to him, and one day I was called in to pay one of my debts. That day, I was asked—no, demanded to help take out his ‘trash’.” Dad’s voice wavers, and my stomach bottoms out.Please don’t say what I think you’re going to say.“That was the day his parents and brother were murdered, and he became heir.”
The fact that Dad can’t look at me right now is damning enough, but through watery eyes, I stare at him and find I have to know more. I need to know if he really did everything that’s running through my head.
“Did you have a choice?” I ask, dreading the answer.
“I was bound.” His words are like ice as they stab me and steal my breath. “Nerezza.” He cups my face and tries to get me to look at him, but all I can think is that his hands are those of a murderer. They are covered in blood.
‘But yours are no better. How many enemies have you killed in the name of good, honor, or need? He had no choice, you did,’the elusive voice within me speaks up, and my body starts shaking uncontrollably at her truth.
“Shock,” Dad whispers. “You’re going through shock.” I’m barely aware of the words falling from him as heat wraps around me as if a warm blanket has engulfed me with an eternal hug, and my body slowly stops shaking. He rubs his hands up and down my arms and frowns when he pulls my sleeves back to see my wrist guards. “You’re armed?
His question finally pulls me out of my daze, and I have more pressing questions than answering his.
“Nah, Dad. I thought I would just come to a buffet of would-be killers without protection, especially when my magic is on the fucking fritz. That sounded like an even better idea than a tea party with the Mad Hatter when he’s on LSD. Now, you said youwerebound.Does that mean you’re not anymore?” I plead with him, grabbing his hands and holding tight. Ineedto know.
“He has not called on the debt since his son, which should have been my last task.” His words ring true, but my gut is still a tornado of red flags at a bull party.
He squeezes my fingers, and his brows pinch with worry.
“Your nerves are a wreck, sweetheart. Look, you won’t do yourself any good here. Besides, I heard L.A.M.B. is already backing you, so you’re good. You should go home and rest while you can.” He makes a compelling argument that makes too much sense.
“You’re right.” I hang my head in defeat, but reach for my phone in my pocket.
Hey, I’m headed back 2 the dorms. Reaper’s w me.
Bestie: Okay
Chester: Be careful
Playboy: C U B @ Dorms Ma Cherie
