Page 68 of Blood of Ancients

“I’ll ask him.” Randi shrugged and returned to her book, signaling the conversation was over.

I would take what I could get. Using one of my only friends as a spy—a liaison—didn’t feel good, yet it needed to be done. As long as I was bedridden, I was useless. Until I could do some investigating of my own, I had to employ others to do my dirty work for me.

Thank Odin for someone like Randi, who believes I can do no wrong. I just pray to the the gods of luck that I’m not putting her in a risky situation.

A commotion outside spilled in—shouting, groaning, and loud swearing filled the halls of Eir Wing Under.

Randi and I shared a quizzical look.

“The Hel is going on out there?” I wondered.

Randi said, “I’ll go check it out.”

She popped up from her bench, threw her hood on—making her look like a tiny, quaint grim reaper—and left the room.

A few minutes later, she returned with a concerned expression.

“Well? What’s up, Ran?”

She pinned that worried look on me, eyes widening. “It’s crazy out there. The infirmary just had a whole bunch of people brought in from different parts of campus, all at once.”

“Damn. What happened?”

“I dunno. They’re all from the same family.”

I blinked, confused. “Huh? What family?”

Her dark skin blanched. “The Lanfens.”

My lips parted in shock.

One name immediately stuck out in my mind, and made me think the danger was lurking closer to the surface than I’d realized, and I was already knee-deep in shit.

Dammit, Sven. What the fuck did you do?!

Chapter 19

Arne

I NEEDED TO LET ITgo. Frida, Dieter, the Lepers Who Leapt . . . I couldn’t make any sort of change if I wasn’t with them.

My place was here, by Ravinica’s side. Protecting her as best I could, giving in to her wishes like a good boy.

The thought brought a smile to my face for the first time in days, as I pored over the letter Dieter had sent me one last time before setting it aside.

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