Page 7 of The Fate of Eternity

The ragged order is a snarl I’m familiar with. Bozzelli’s rage is becoming something I’m almost accustomed to, and even though she’s keeping her voice low enough to go unheard over the media chatter, it still rings in my ears like a warning.

Smiling politely, I take a step back from the microphone, my gaze set ahead as I make sure to look directly into the lens of each camera aimed my way. Bozzelli appears in front of me a split second later, eyes ablaze with unspoken anger as she straightens her outfit and turns to address the gathered crowd.

I take a moment to saunter off the podium, finding my insane vampire grinning from ear to ear, but before he can mutter a single word in my direction, Bozzelli’s voice echoes around the room.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for being here today,” she starts, earning my attention. Just as I turn in her direction, her stare lasers in on me.

She looks—reallylooks—almost as deeply as Cassian did earlier, but unlike with him, I bolster my walls in place, refusing to let her reach the pits of my soul and see my weaknesses.

Her head tilts, her assessment continuing for what feels like an eternity before she turns to face the audience once again. She clears her throat, running her palms down her waist as she beams at the crowd.

“I also want to acknowledge the powerful speech from Miss Reagan. I’m sure we can all agree that she fulfilled the expectations we were looking for today. So much so that no more will take place this evening. I can say with true certainty that full marks will be honored for such a strong and victorious address to the nation. What a great imagination you have.”

Her eyes find me again, her last words bouncing off my unfazed façade as she presses her lips together and twists her fingers nervously.

What is going on?

Bozzelli doesn’t know how to be anything but a cut-throat bitch. It’s almost as if she’s second-guessing herself, but for what? I don’t know. A single nod, more to herself than anyone else, and she’s back facing the media.

Another throat clearing, a swipe of her tongue over her bottom lip, and a slight adjustment to the sleeves of her suit. Her body language screams nervous, but if anyone else notices it, they remain as silent as I do.

“It’s with great surprise that I reveal to the students that there is not, in fact, an additional trial this evening.” Murmurs erupt throughout the space, mingling with a straight-up “what the fuck” from Raiden beside me. I frown, perplexed by what the fuck is even happening right now, when she continues to speak. “Tonight was about finding the appropriate words to address your kingdom before a life-threatening event. I’m sure you’ll be relieved that tonight is not a life-threatening time tobe concerned with.” She purses her lips before fixing her smile. “And with that revelation, I bid everyone a fair evening and a wondrous future as we continue the search for the heir to the Floorborn Kingdom.”

“Who the fuck is this woman, and where is the real Bozzelli?” Flora whispers, and I huff in agreement, unable to take my eyes off the woman in question.

Her gaze is fixated on me as she steps down from the podium, and it only drifts off when she comes to a stop at my side.

“You. My office. Now.”

I rear to the side, not appreciating her close proximity. “But?—”

“Now, Miss Reagan,” she growls, struggling to keep her voice down as she takes a step, expecting me to follow.

“She’s not going anywhere with you alone,” Raiden retorts, earning himself an eye roll from the devil that is our dean.

“I don’t imagine she will.”

Blinking at her, I can’t help but gape as she continues toward the door behind us.

“Is she actually agreeing to me being present?” Raiden asks, his brows gathered in confusion as he turns his attention my way.

I shrug, my lips parting to speak when Cassian beats me to it. “Fuck that. We’re all going,” he grumbles, throwing his arm over my shoulder as he guides me toward the exit.

“I’ll stay here with Arlo and make sure there’s nothing else at play,” Flora states, disappearing into the crowd before I can say a single word.

Exhaling with relief, I fall into step between my vampire and my wolf, with Brody and Kryll right behind us. The walk is swift and silent, drenched in uncertainty that I can’t truly place.

Entering her office is like stepping into the lion’s den, but when Bozzelli takes her seat on the other side of her desk, it is clear she’s rattled. Her gaze travels across the five of us, and back again, repeating the motion five times before she finally says anything.

“So, the five of you.”

“The five of us,” Brody states, shrugging like he knows what she’s hinting at while I blink like a fool.

“Take a seat.”

I scoff, shaking my head. “The last time I did that, you had me frozen in place to insert the kiss of death into my skin.”

She sighs, irritation swirling with desperation as she laces her hands together. “I didn’t know then what I still don’t seem to know now.” I frown, completely confused by what she’s trying to say. She must sense that we’re not following what she means because she sighs again, heavier this time. “Somebody better explain to me and explain to me now.”

---