Chapter Ten
GRACE
Two more days went by, and Noah seemed extremely focused on pushing the students to their limits. Exhaustion was apparent when they left Noah’s classes. The majority wasn’t pleased, and Grace was the one they complained to.
On the third day, Noah decided to test their weapon abilities after a warmup. The class took place at the gym. Perhaps, because it was raining heavily, and they couldn’t use the football field. Nevertheless, shooting and fencing were the favorite pastimes among the hunter apprentices. Grace’s classmates were pleased to know they were practicing with weapons that day. Competing against one another was exciting to them. Grace knew that Noah was more interested in evaluating their skills than allowing them to have fun.
Still, she used that opportunity to show off her aiming ability with a bow. Even if Noah didn’t seem impressed with anything or anyone. She and her classmates seemed to be average for his standards.
After the class, Grace had a meeting with the house staff. The meeting was short because her grandfather called. It had been a few days since his last news. She was eager to know what the council was going to do about what happened and if they were willing to let Noah stay.
After saying hello and asking Grace how things were going, Vincent talked about what had been discussed so far. “A committee has been assigned to investigate what happened and how the vampires were able to cross the borders.”
“I’m glad they are taking this seriously,” Grace said.
“The other students might have been killed. Several important kids are attending our school. I have important friends, too. I’d be offended if they didn’t investigate and try to find what’s going on.”
“Are they coming here to investigate?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.” She mused, “It rained since the attack. In fact, it’s been raining for a few days now. I’m sure there isn’t much evidence left.”
“We did our job. We retrieved the weapons left behind, and Noah has information about the leader of the assassin unit. The weapons will have DNA, and the remaining attackers might be identified, so we can link them to a Dark Conclave fraction or a rogue guild.”
“We also need to know who’s their target,” Grace reminded him.
“We already know.”
“Me.” Grace sighed and closed her eyes momentarily.
“It will be all right, honey.”
“Is the council willing to protect a mere hybrid like me?”
“You are my granddaughter. Why wouldn’t they want to protect you?”
“And my other family? What did they say?”
Vincent cleared his throat. “It doesn’t matter, child. You don’t need them. You are my family, and I love you. You are my top priority. Now, how’s our guest behaving?”
“Exemplary,” she assured him.
“And the classes? Is he following the plans with ease?”
“He’s been improvising, but I’ll write you a report about the exercises and methods used.”
“Are his methods valid, or does he have no idea of what he’s doing?”
“He knows what he’s doing. He’s not doing anything you wouldn’t approve of. Don’t worry. It’s more of an evaluation of their abilities than anything else.”
“As long as he keeps the pups busy and in shape,” Vincent said with a sigh.
“You sound tired. When are you coming back?”
“I’ll stay a few more days. We need to gather more information and wait for the vampire community to give us some answers. We are working with them.”
Grace nibbled on her bottom lip. “What about Noah?”