Page 32 of Promised in Blood

That thought has crossed my mind as well, but I am unconvinced they—whoevertheyare—know that she is an elementai. If anyone possessed such knowledge, we would be fending off attack after attack to get to her. “But why would they want her dead? Surely they would prefer to manipulate her powers somehow. And is whoever arranged for her to attendMontridge the same person who wanted her dead? Or are there two different motives at play here?”

He runs his fingertips over the dark hair on his chin. “It is a puzzle to be sure.”

“One we must solve as soon as possible, Giorgios.”

“Would you consider sending the girl away?” he asks, worry lining his features. “At least until we can determine the threat to her?”

A snarl rumbles in my chest. “And where would you suggest I send her, Giorgios?”

“I do not know.” He pinches the spot between his brows and shakes his head. He is quiet for the space of several heartbeats, but when he speaks again, his posture and voice are confident. “I still have my mountain fortress in the foothills of Tibet. She would surely be safe there. You could send one of your sireds with her for company.”

“The boys have responsibilities here, and I will not send her away.” I manage, just barely, to keep the rage invoked by his suggestion from my tone. The mere thought of spending a single day without her fills me with panic.

He sighs. “Then you come with her, Alexandros. For she is surely an easy target here if what you have told me is true. Do not put her at risk unnecessarily.”

Anger prickles beneath my skin, bristling to be let out. “I wouldneverrisk her safety.” For a few seconds, I let those words fill the space between us, ensuring his understanding that I will not abide such accusations. “But if I leave here, then questions will be asked. Not only by Dr. Ollenshaw and other faculty members and students, but by our father. It would draw far too much unnecessary attention. Do not think that I have failed to consider the option of taking her far away from here.”

He holds his hands up in surrender, banking the fury I have been directing his way. “If she cannot leave, we must make hasteto determine what, if any, threats there are to her safety. If you cannot leave this campus, then you must do what you can from within these walls, and I will pick up on the trail that Osiris left.”

“Thank you, Giorgios.”

He stands and puts a hand on my shudder. “We will protect her, brother. I give you my word.” As he walks away, he glances back at me over his shoulder, a pensive look on his face. My thoughts are already on her and what she is doing at this very moment.

It is Monday, and if I remember correctly, she should be in her algebra class. I wonder what she would do if I summoned her to my office instead. The desire to spend the rest of my afternoon losing myself in her beautiful body is almost too strong to resist. I can think of no better way to counter the emotional toll of my conversation with Giorgios.

Yet my better judgment prevails, and I chase the images from my head. I have a stack of test papers to grade, and if I begin summoning Ophelia to me every time I get the urge to touch her, then she would never leave my side.

And that would certainly draw unnecessary attention.

Chapter

Thirteen

XAVIER

The scent of his cologne combined with the rich blood that runs so tantalizingly close to his skin is enough to have my mouth watering as soon as I walk into Alexandros’s study.

He stands shirtless, staring out the window with his back to me, every muscle in his back taut and full of raw, potent power. Thin silvery scars snake around his left side. He places his hands into the pockets of his dress pants, causing those muscles to flex, each hardened ridge illuminated by the overhead light.

“Where is Ophelia?” he asks without turning his head.

“On her way back from class. Axl’s with her.”

“She is late.”

I drop into the seat in front of his desk and brush the hair from my eyes so it doesn’t obstruct my impressive view. “Yeah, but Professor Underwood wanted to speak to her about her test before the break starts tomorrow.”

He turns and runs a hand over his beard, staring at a spot over my shoulder for a few seconds before he changes the subject. “How was last night?”

“As smooth as can be expected.” I give him a quick rundown of the job two of our seniors were tasked with by their soon-to-be employers, the Russian Bratva. “Two wounded. The target was acquired and delivered to the Pakhan. I believe he was impressed,” I say in conclusion.

He nods. “And how are Ophelia’s lessons coming along?”

Is that a trick question? We do the lessons with her together.

He sucks on his top lip and stares at me, waiting for my answer. I clear my throat and sit up straighter in my chair. “Axl said her fighting is improving. She knocked him on his ass a few times yesterday, although he claims he let her. But she’s getting stronger every day.” I subconsciously rub my left wrist, which she accidentally fractured yesterday when I was teasing her and she tried to get away from me. “Is that a part of her power too? She’s almost as strong as we are.”

He hums. “I believe she takes on the powers of those she is bonded with.”

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