Page 56 of Saint

“Where did Juri say he was again?” Grady asked, holding onto the strap of his backpack tightly, as though he feared someone would run by and try to snatch it. It was the grief and anxiety, no doubt, and how he was trying to conceal it to not upset Nix.

Nix really wished he wouldn’t.

“He texted saying he had a meeting with a professor,” Khloe answered, giving Nix a fake smile when he looked at her. “He didn’t mention which one.”

“Guys,” Nix exhaled, “I’m sorry. You don’t have to keep pretending like everything is okay. I know Dew meant a lot to you. You were all friends for a long time.”

“We don’t blame you,” Khloe said. “Dew’s actions were his own, it’s just…hard.”

“It feels like we never really knew him,” Grady added. “You know what I mean?”

Yes, he did, because that’s exactly how he’d felt when he’d first discovered Branwen was Iris. Since he still hadn’t managed to overcome those feelings, Nix wasn’t a good person to give advice in this situation.

“I just don’t get it,” Khloe nibbled on her bottom lip. “Why’d he do it? Why lock you in a waif pen or swap those paintings at all? What possible reason could he have? And hacking into the Club House? Dew?”

“He got a C in computer sciences our freshman year.” Grady ran a hand through his hair. “Just goes to show you can never really know a person.”

Her eyes landed on him. “You’re not hiding anything important from us, are you?”

He held up a hand. “What? No! Are you?”

“No.”

They turned to Nix.

“I’m not either,” he assured them.

Grady sighed. “Well, it’s not like you could tell us if you were. Not if it had anything to do with the club, anyway.”

Everyone on campus had heard the Night of the Nightshade had been moved up, and that Nix and Juri were both now members. Aside from a few glances and whispers when he passed, his life on campus hadn’t changed much though.

“I’m glad to hear you understand the rules, Mr. Monroe.” Hendrix appeared suddenly, two men dressed in suits with him.

Nix eyed them but didn’t give any other reaction. Even the Demons had to be polite, the least he could do was keep his cool in the Order member’s presence. He had a bad feeling about this though.

“Mr. Bardin,” Nix greeted him. “Are you here to see Beck?”

“No, nothing like that. I try not to bother him while he’s at work.”

“Right.” He glanced pointedly at the two men with him.

“Oh, these are my security detail, don’t be alarmed,” Hendrix said. “They follow me everywhere after what happened with the Emperor. I’ve tried to convince Lake and my son to hirethem as well, but young folk. They never listen. Are these your friends?”

Grady and Khloe seemed every bit as uncomfortable as Nix felt. Knowing how much Grady despised the club, Nix found himself stepping in front of them.

“You guys can head to lunch without me,” he suggested.

“We can wait,” Grady told him.

“I’ll catch up.” Nix gave him a pointed look. He didn’t want to involve the two of them in his mess any more and whatever reason Hendrix had for being here, it couldn’t be good.

“Let’s go.” Khloe tugged on Grady’s sleeve until the guy gave in.

“It’s your favorite dish on the menu today,” Grady said as they walked off. “It always goes fast, so you better hurry up.”

“Will do,” Nix called back, grateful that he was trying to give him an excuse to cut whatever bullshit Hendrix was about to start short. Once they were alone, he turned back to the older man. “Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Bardin?”

“I was hoping to continue our talk from the other night,” Hendrix said, taking a step closer. They were at the bottom of the stairs, with students moving to and from the library. They’d attracted some attention, but not a lot, probably because most of the student body didn’t know who Hendrix was. Aside from his son being a professor there, he had nothing to do with Foxglove Grove.

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