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“It is a possibility they found answers within the archives and wanted to destroy that evidence,” the professor said with a frown.

This was information overload, and Blaire didn’t know what to make of it. Some big group of somebodies in the Vasirian world wanted to know more about her? She wasn’t anyone special. She was a regular human. The most remarkable thing she’d ever done was to appear on the news when she gave an interview after someone tried to rob the diner. Her humdrum life was the perfect example of why it made no sense she was somehow fated to this beautiful being who held her as if nothing else in the world mattered.

Kai crossed his arms and tilted his head in contemplation. “What purpose would that serve? It’s our history, and if humans are a part of that history, then why erase it?”

“There is a strong chance that whatever those texts held carries the secret to what makes Blaire so special,” the professor said.

Blaire sure didn’t feel special. She felt more like a burden and an inconvenience. No matter where she went, she always caused problems for someone. Because of her ties to Caleb, her work life was under constant scrutiny. She couldn’t have a social life because the Wilcox family bullied anyone who tried to be friends with her, so eventually, they ghosted her. She counted herself lucky Charlotte remained by her side, but she had heard the ways Caleb had tried to run her off too.

Forget about romance. It wasn’t even on the table. Anytime someone tried to get close to her in the diner, as soon as Ricky got wind of it—which meant Caleb got wind of it—she’d soon find they were no longer customers, and she’d never see them again. Now, her existence was disrupting all their lives. It didn’t matter as much when she thought she didn’t want to be with Lukas, but now… she couldn’t deny her feelings for him any longer. Being the first human in a Korrena pairing inconvenienced everyone around her.

“But that doesn’t make any sense,” Mera spoke up, shaking Blaire from her thoughts. “If they already know from the texts, then why is her blood so important?”

The professor sighed and folded her hands in her lap. “Unfortunately, I am in the dark as much as you all are. But I will say this much… considering how botched this job looks, they may come for her blood again.”

Aiden growled. “That isn’t happening.”

Lukas pulled Blaire’s body against his more firmly, and in turn, she reached up and placed her hand over his forearm, gripping lightly. He must sense her fear, as there was no way she could hide it. The idea this could happen again, even though she couldn’t remember what happened, sent her mind into a panic. From the sounds of things, it nearly killed her this time. What if it happened again and they succeeded? She shuddered.

Riley asked, “What would they find in Blaire’s blood? Why didn’t they just ask her for a donation or something so they wouldn’t risk killing her if it’s just to find out something that will help everyone in the end?”

“That’s simple.” The professor waved a hand toward Lukas and Blaire. “They likely believed she wouldn’t voluntarily give her blood for experimentation, since she has yet to share willingly with her own Korrena, so they took it by force.” She sighed. “I am not sure what they will find in her blood—if anything at all. Again, this is completely unfamiliar territory for everyone, me included. Even the Oracle hasn’t provided any insight as to what could be happening here.”

“The Oracle?” Blaire had not heard that before, and she felt behind having to ask all these questions. Maybe she should have read the handbook more thoroughly, but so much had happened. She hadn’t had the opportunity to fully finish it.

“The Oracle is a centuries-old Vasirian who sometimes gets prophetic visions which help guide the Order on the choices they make for the academy and all of Vasirian kind,” the professor explained.

She turned in her chair, focusing her full attention on Lukas and Blaire, her expression severe. “You need to come to terms with your connection and fully seal the bond, because I strongly fear the Order will soon intervene. If your bond is not sealed, then there is no reason for Blaire to continue to stay at Blackthorn Academy.” She leveled Lukas with an intense stare. “If there is no reason for her to be here, then they can’t let a human live in the normal world with the knowledge of what we are. It’s too much of a risk.”

Lukas lifted his head and growled.

“Wait. Would they seriously just kill Blaire?” Riley shouted in a panic.

Aiden jumped up from the bed. “No way will I allow that to happen!”

Lukas once again tightened his hold on Blaire, his face seeking refuge in her hair as he whispered, “Never.”

“I’m sorry, but if you do not claim Blaire in both body and blood soon, Lukas… then yes, the Order will most certainly terminate her contract, and in turn, her existence. Blaire is only here because she’s fated to be your Korrena. If she doesn’t fulfill her end of the contract, then there’s no need for the contract to exist.” She took a deep breath. “To put it bluntly, there would then be no reason for her to exist. Not in their eyes.”

“Fuck that. Not happening,” Lukas said.

Blaire turned to meet his gaze, his eyes holding such strong intensity she felt the conviction in them deep inside her bones.

Aiden dropped down onto the foot of the bed, holding his head in his hands, shaking it back and forth. “This can’t be happening…”

Lukas shook his head. “It won’t happen. I won’t let them touch her.”

“It’s clear to everyone how you both feel about each other. Why won’t you complete the bond?” Kai asked, his forehead wrinkled in confusion.

Blaire looked down at her bruised arm.

The professor filled in the silence. “It’s understandable that Blaire is likely afraid. She’s a human who has been thrown into our world. She has been attacked more than once, so the idea of giving her blood to another must be frightening.”

“Not to mention she’s a virgin, and she has to do the… well, Lukas.” Riley motioned toward Lukas with her hand, her face bright red in embarrassment from her indiscretion.

Aiden rolled his eyes. “Smooth, Riley, smooth.”

The professor chuckled. “Well, yes, if that is a new thing for her as well, then it would add another element of fear for her.”