The Sangré Councilman bobbed his head in confirmation once more. “It would be a wise move, yes.”
“Then it’s settled,” my father said, clapping me on the back. “Welcome to the inner circle, Kolstov. There’s not a grand ceremony for this, I’m afraid. But you’ll get that when you ascend.” He winked.
I forced a smile, my heart in my stomach. “Understood. Does Tray know any of this?”
My father shook his head. “He doesn’t.”
“You don’t suspect him of feeding information to the resistance, do you?” I asked him, incredulous. “Because I can assure you, he’s not.”
My father chuckled. “No. We know it’s not Tray, or you. We only kept you in the dark because this is usually considered an ascension privilege, and you have enough to worry about with your ascension trials. However, the recent attacks framing you required us to move up our time frame. And you also did too good a job protecting the bait, leaving us no choice but to bring you in so it doesn’t happen again.”
“Yes, the next time there’s an attempt to collect her, we need you to allow it to happen,” my grandfather added, his gold irises whirling with uncanny power. “It’s our best lead to tracking them.”
“Right,” I replied. “Because of her mating bond to Shade.”
“Exactly,” my father murmured. “The Elders had originally wanted it to be you, but we feared no one would believe you’d disregard such a fundamental law on a whim.”
“So they tapped the one known for rule-breaking,” Shade drawled. “Me.”
My grandfather grunted. “You didn’t even balk at the request.”
“Of course I didn’t. You gave me permission to taste an Elemental Fae, and a gorgeous one at that. Why the hell would I refuse?” Shade sounded so flippant, as if we were discussing the damn weather. But I was starting to recognize his tactics for avoidance. He made jokes to deflect, and in this case, he wanted everyone to believe Aflora meant nothing to him.
However, if that were true, then he would have told them all about our united bonds, and he hadn’t.
“Yeah, yeah,” Tadmir replied. “Enjoy it while it lasts, Death Blood. You’re still promised to my daughter.”
Shade smiled. “I’m aware of my obligations, Malefic Blood. Just enjoying my freedom while I can.”
“Shall we give Chern the room?” my grandfather suggested, gesturing to the patiently waiting Sangré Councilman. “Or do you prefer the dungeon for your interrogation?”
“The room is fine,” Chern replied.
“Then we’ll reconvene in three hours,” my father announced, standing and squeezing my shoulder. “Try to learn what you can. We’ll talk more over dinner later.”
That wasn’t a request but a demand. “Of course, sir. Thank you.”
He smiled, pleased, and led the others from the room, leaving me alone with Shade, Chern, and Headmaster Irwin.
“Shall we begin?” Chern asked.
Shade kicked his feet up on top of the table and crossed his legs at the ankles, the picture of uncaring. “Sure. Have at it.”
I didn’t mimic his pose but instead laced my fingers on top of the wood and gave Chern my undivided attention. “Teach me.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Zeph
It was a testament to humanity that no one seemed to notice or care that I carried an unconscious female through the streets of New York City. There were a few glances here and there, but not a single human tried to stop me or raise questions.
Which was precisely why I chose Manhattan to lie low.
“Good evening, sir,” the doorman greeted me as I approached the familiar residential building. I’d spent a good portion of the last year here before returning to the Academy. No one really knew about this place, aside from Kols. He knew I enjoyed hiding here, mostly because of the added convenience of available blood walking around everywhere.
“Is everything all right?” the doorman asked, eyeing Aflora in my arms.
Of all the mortals, of course this one would ask. “She’s fine, just had a bit to