Page 87 of Dragon Unleashed

“I’m not sure that’s how it works.” I level my gaze at him and press my hands flat to the table. “I assume this is about the murder of Professor Allegra, so I will happily answer. But make no mistake, I know the law and what does and does not come under your jurisdiction.”

I spent a whole half hour cramming anything that might be helpful before I stepped into the portal.

Marcus lays a hand on Derek’s arm.

“Just out of police college, this one,” he says in a friendly tone.

Marcus. This is the one to watch. The “good cop” that’s going to try to trip me up. I huff out a breath. I didn’t do anything. Why am I already defensive?

“I didn’t like Professor Allegra, but she didn’t deserve to die. I’ll answer what I can.” There, I’m not admitting guilt but telling them what I’m sure they already know. Farrell would be proud of my stoic expression.

Derek smirks before laying a printout on the table and pushing it toward me. He doesn’t quite shove it far enough, forcing me to crane forward to see it. One quick glance and I know it’s my email. I settle back in my seat, but he pulls something else out and lays it beside the first paper. I shuffle forward again, my curiosity piqued. The elegant handwriting is identical to how Professor Allegra wrote on the classroom board. Careful not to touch the letter, I lean over it, skimming the contents quickly.

Mostly it’s a soppy declaration of love for Zephyr. But my eye is drawn to a sinister line.

If you’re reading this then it’s too late for me. At least I succeeded in one goal—I died before you. You know who to blame for my death. Blame the Virrey.

I sit back with an inhale. How the hell are the P.I.G. going to take this one? They’re in the Virrey’s pocket. My mind races.Does this make it more or less likely they’ll try to pin her death on me?

“Precisely,” Marcus says. “She was clearly deranged. However, despite that, we have to find her killer. I understand you were at the ball for only a few hours before you disappeared.”

I nod slowly.

“Can you account for your whereabouts? Is there anyone who can corroborate it?” Derek asks, a viciousness to his tone, like he’s sure I can’t prove my innocence.

Normally, he’d have been right. But I’m ready for this. Slowly I reach into my pocket and pull out Alarick’s camera. I place it on the table and nudge it toward the younger officer, ensuring it’s nowhere near close enough.

He scowls as he has to move to reach it. I shoot him a wide smile.

“All on there. I’m sure you saw the footage that went with that email. Well, silly little me left the camera running. There’s about four or five hours of very boring footage there. I was nowhere near Professor Allegra.”

“We have only a very rough time of death,” Derek grumbles. The asshole looks disappointed. Like he’s pretty sure that four or five hours is enough.

Marcus, however, smiles. It doesn’t reach his eyes, but I’ll take it. “That should make our lives a lot easier. Just a few further questions…”

Five hours later I stumble back through the portal. I’m exhausted. I grip my jacket closer around me. I thought Naeve might meet me. The wind whistles through the trees and I shuffle from foot to foot. When no one appears I start draggingmy tired feet toward campus. My breath billows in front me in the freezing air.

Then I hear muffled footsteps behind me, almost exactly in sync with my own. Almost. The hairs on my neck stand on end. I halt, turning quickly. In the dusk a bulky figure about ten feet behind me hesitates, the broad shoulders and buzz cut instantly familiar.

Chano.

What the hell is his game? When he shows no sign of catching up, I wrap my arms around myself and continue on. At least it’s him and not some creep. Not Dexter. That psycho hasn’t shown up again.

Big fat snowflakes start to fall, and Chano’s footsteps continue to echo behind me. It’s oddly reassuring. He follows me all the way to the dorms without a word before peeling off and away. I climb the steps to the entrance, one heavy limb after another. He’s a mystery, my Aeternum.

By the time I reach my room, I’m ready to crawl into bed and ignore the world. Hushed voices from behind the door make me pause. A hiccuped sob that can only be Naeve’s spurs me to action. Opening the door, I’m ready to have it out with whoever is upsetting her.

Naeve is curled up onmybed, her arms around Zephyr as they both sniffle. I drop my bag on the floor.

“Budge up. Let me join the sob-fest.”

Naeve gives me a watery smile, shifting over and patting the bed. I crawl into the spot and cautiously touch Zephyr’s knee.

“They had me in too,” he says. “They pretty much accused me of killing Alice. Then tried to get me to say it was you. They’re a disgrace.”

“Yeah, that sounds like the P.I.G.”

“They’re meant to be the good guys!” Naeve protests and I bark out a laugh.

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