Page 49 of The Fate of Eternity

I can hear Brody grumbling about Kryll helping him keep up, but it’s not entirely audible over the pounding in my ears. Knocking on Fairbourne’s door, I bounce on the balls of my feet, waiting for it to swing open. When it doesn’t happen instantly, I do it again, with more urgency to the action this time, but it still doesn’t summon the man I’m looking for.

“He might not be in there,” Raiden offers with a sigh. “This is why we should have gone for food first,” he grumbles, earning a shove from Cassian beside him as my shoulders slump in defeat.

“Someone has to help me.”

“Who?” Kryll asks, concern swirling in his eyes as he looks at me, and I shrug helplessly.

“Bozzelli?” Brody offers, and my gaze swings to her office door at the end of the hallway.

It’s worth a shot.

I’m moving without an answer, but it seems he wasn’t expecting one because he’s right at my side as I knock on another door, pleading for this one to open.

One breath. Two breathes. Three.

I rub my lips together, my desperation rising with every inhale when the door finally swings open, but it’s not Bozzelli.

“May I help you?”

“Who are you?” Raiden grunts as I take her in.

Blond hair frames her heart-shaped face. Large-framed glasses are nestled on her nose, encircling her blue eyes as her smile struggles to meet her eyes. “I’m the dean’s assistant.”

Huh. I didn’t know she had one of those, but I guess it makes sense.

“Is she free?” I ask, not caring to say anything else when I have more pressing matters at hand.

To my dismay, she steps out of the room, shaking her head and closing the door behind her.

“I’m not sure where she is. Maybe pop back after final lessons for the day,” she offers before squeezing through the gap between Brody and me, strolling off without a backward glance.

The five of us stare after her, at a complete loss, until Brody turns to me. “I thought her assistant would know her whereabouts at all times.”

I hum in agreement, but Kryll shrugs. “This is Bozzelli we’re talking about. I don’t think anyone can keep up with that woman.”

“That’s true,” I agree, the defeat feeling more prominent than ever.

“So…” Raiden begins, but I wave a hand, cutting him off before he can speak.

“Food. We’re going, but this isn’t over,” I promise.

This time, I take off through the hallway on my own, eager for the adrenaline to pump through my veins as I turn up my speed. I relish in the vibration through my chest as I bypass the dining hall, opting to do two laps of the outer perimeter before slowing my pace at the entrance.

I expect to see my Kryptos at the table already, but instead, they’re a step behind me. Nobody says a word, and I fight back a smile as I wind my way through the tables, taking my usual seat as the guys drop down into their spots around me.

My stomach grumbles, earning me a knowing side glance from Raiden, who smothers the grin on his lips. I pretend I didn’t hear it as a plate of food is placed in front of me.

Agitated, more at the helplessness that still consumes me than the food, I part my lips to give them some shit lecture about not knowing what I actually want to eat. But I manage to clamp my mouth shut again quickly as a steak comes into view. The mashed potatoes and vegetables make my stomach growl even louder.

Damn.

“Thank you,” I grumble, not lifting my gaze as I tuck in.

With every bite, the frustration inside of me dims, but the worry only rises.

I don’t make it halfway through my meal this time before my wolf senses pick up.

Fuck.

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