Chapter Eighteen
GRACE
The Kingdom of Sanabria was on high alert due to the recent events. Two bombs were found in another big city, Kuticute, where Celestials had an embassy. Like last time, the new crown prince had been targeted, but the bombs were dismantled before they could create causalities.
At the academy, Noah continued his job as a new professor while the headmaster had his hands full with the bomb attacks and the attack on his granddaughter’s life.
Celestials being the target of terrorists was something unheard of. They were impartial, and most of the inhabitants of this world thought of them as guardians, almost gods.
“Who could be targeting the angels?” Grace asked her grandfather.
Since Vincent Delacroix had returned, even with the attempt on Grace’s life, the academy’s students and staff felt safe.
“Someone who wants this world to start another world war,” he replied from across his desk. Rubbing his temples, he added, “The students’ parents are worried about their safety. Some wanted them to return home and for me to close the academy until the culprits are caught.”
“I can’t blame them. They’re in danger because of me.”
“You have Noah and me to protect you. I’m pleased with his performance and how he seems to care about your safety. I might have misjudged him.”
Grace smiled. “I’m glad you aren’t against our mate bond. He’s been working hard for the past week.”
“Not only that, he has been using his contacts to find out who sent the hitman to kill you. We believe your attack is related to the attack on your Celestial relatives.”
“I’ve been cast out by my family and kind. Attacking me is a waste of resources.”
“Don’t be so sure about that. The terrorists are targeting the Celestials Royal Family. Your mother was third in the line of succession. With the crown prince’s death and the recent attempts on Prince Sorath, the Celestial Sovereign has ordered for all Celestials to return to the sky cities.”
“I guess they forgot to send me the memo,” Grace joked.
The headmaster frowned, apparently not amused. “No one has called yet.”
Grace snickered. “As if I would move out of here if they called.” She got up and stretched her arms. “Anyway, my home is here. If my presence is a danger to others, I can move to a safe house. With Noah,” she added, glancing at her grandfather.
He offered a lopsided grin. “Only Noah? You don’t need anyone else?”
“They need you here, and the king has assigned a battalion of soldiers to patrol our property. I have two cars following me around when I go to college. I can take care of myself, too. I’m in no immediate danger.”
“Your uncle was well guarded, and they missed the bomb that killed him and his entourage. Ten celestials and eight shifters died. Forty other people were injured. Many families lost their loved ones. These people don’t care about the collateral damage just to take out one being.”
“All vehicles are scanned for bombs before entering our academy. All divisions have been searched by the Bomb Squad Department.”
“Your college is a dangerous place. It has easy access to the outsiders.”
“I can’t protest about that. But the dean is taking precautions.” Planting her hands on the desk, she questioned, “Any news about who the suicidal hitman was?”
“No fingerprints, and his face doesn’t appear in our database. Noah asked his aunt to search the vampire database.”
“They said he wasn’t a shifter or a vampire. Why would a human become a hitman? Why would someone kill themselves so they weren’t caught?”
“These people are groomed from a young age to become fanatics and do their master’s bidding. They promise them eternal life or better lives for their families. The ones who fail their tasks have a worse fate than death. Instead of torture and dishonor, they choose a quick and clean death.”
Grace sucked in a breath. “The world is a scary place, sometimes. I thought we were evolving and becoming a better society. Yet, there are these fanatic and xenophobic people who want the old order to return and stop evolution.”
The headmaster relaxed in his leather chair. “Even in an idyllic society, there’s discontentment. Not everybody enjoys a peaceful life, cultural activities, and art. That’s why we train hunters and have teams of jumpers to protect the worlds linked with ours from the violent species.”
“We aren’t all dangerous,” Grace reminded him. “Sometimes, I wonder why they want other worlds to be oblivious to our existence.”
“It’s also for our safety. Can you imagine what some worlds would do if they found out we exist? Some human societies are highly evolved and have massive destruction weapons that can destroy planets. Others, like the Fae, have magical powers beyond our comprehension. They are immortals and vicious when others threaten their way of life.”