Page 12 of Of Flames and Crows

“It is. Alastair and I have learned a lot from the Council of the Moon.”

The crow flew out of the room behind Nikolai and landed on his shoulder. He peeked at Mae and squawked a welcome.

She greeted the familiar before lowering her brows. “What’s wrong, then?”

Nikolai hesitated. “Marlena said I’m trying to do too much too fast.”

Mae stared, puzzled.

The slight color that stained the sorcerer’s cheekbones was visible even in the gloom. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

“It’s because I want to come back to New York as soon as I can.”

Mae’s chest swelled at the words he didn’t say and the banked heat brightening his eyes. She’d never asked Nikolai if he intended to stay with his family in Prague and join the Council of the Moon, like Marlena wanted him to. She’d been too scared to find out what his answer would be.

She bit her lip to stop a goofy smile from spreading across her face.

Vlad made gagging noises behind her.

Nikolai’s expression grew chilly. “When is that asshole leaving?”

CHAPTER6

Roman Savelich’sgut tightened as he followed his best friend out a fire door at the side of their dormitory building. Someone had tampered with the alarm sensor and propped it open slightly. The gap was wide enough for Vincent Rochette to slip his fingers through, but not big enough to catch the attention of the security guard who would soon be doing his rounds.

Vincent seemed unconcerned that they were breaking all sorts of school regulations by sneaking out of their dorms in the middle of the night. If anything, his bright eyes and flushed expression denoted his excitement at tonight’s illicit adventure.

From what Roman had deduced, this wasn’t the first time he’d done this. Roman wasn’t ignorant of the fact that many of the seniors at the international school he attended in Prague regularly sneaked out to enjoy the various pleasures the city’s nightlife had to offer. As the student with the best grades in his class and the one most likely to become head of the student council next year, he didn’t want to sully his immaculate school record and ruin his chances of earning that role.

He knew how proud it would make his grandfather.

But Roman also couldn’t ignore the fact that Vincent was headed for trouble.

The face of the boy who’d led his best friend astray loomed out of the shadows under a row of trees as they crossed Italská Street. Flanking Zak Byrne were four others. They all belonged to wealthy families, just as Roman and Vincent did.

Zak smirked when he saw Roman. “I’m surprised you agreed to tag along, Savelich.”

Roman met his gaze steadily. At five foot eight, he had a good few inches on Zak. “I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.”

Zak’s eyes darkened with irritation at his calm tone. A gleeful look flitted across his face before he assumed his usual nonchalant mask.

“Let’s go. We don’t want to be late.”

Roman frowned.What was that about?

If Vincent noticed Zak’s odd expression, he didn’t say anything.

Roman hadn’t been aware of his best friend falling under the influence of Zak and his gang until a couple of weeks ago, something he deeply regretted. Usually an open book, Vincent had become more secretive of late, a warning sign Roman would have noted had he not been preoccupied with other matters. By the time he’d realized what was happening, the Canadian teenager was already involved with the unsavory crowd.

Roman was conscious of the rumors circulating about Zak and his cronies. They were thought to be responsible for the trade of street drugs that had plagued the school recently. But the teachers didn’t have any concrete evidence to support their suspicions. Add to that the boys’ families exerting pressure on the headmaster not to stir trouble, and the whole affair had pretty much been swept under the carpet.

But it wasn’t just concern for Vincent that had Roman accepting their invitation to go with them tonight. Their latest hobby had piqued his interest. According to Vincent, Zak and his friends had made contact with somebody involved in the occult.

They cut through Riegrovy Park and emerged opposite Prague City University. Roman noted how Zak avoided the main streets and kept to narrow roads as they made their way south. His brow wrinkled.

It was clear Zak and his friends had taken this route plenty of times before. Roman wondered if it was because it lessened the risk of them being spotted by someone they knew. Some of the teachers at their international school lived in Prague’s second district after all.

Even though Roman couldn’t see them, he knew the bodyguards his grandfather had assigned to him wouldn’t be far behind. Having an escort was something he hadn’t been overly enthused about when he’d first started attending the school and he’d fought tooth and nail not to have them. But he hadn’t been able to argue with his grandfather after the latter had explained the stark reasons for the guards.

---