Page 1 of Ever Dark Academy: Vol. 3
Always
Balthazar smiled winsomely at the sea of reporters, and then particularly, at the blond-coiffed woman with the broad smile and very long legs, crossed at the knee that was nearest to him and Caemorn.
“Ms. Cafferty! I’m so honored to meet you,” Balthazar beamed and offered his hand, which she took in a firm shake. “You’ll be handling the questions today for the pack?”
He liked how the burgundy coat allowed a bit of the frilled shirt cuff to puff out onto the back of his hand when they shook.
Very Vampire, he thought and she thought so, too, though she didn’t say it outloud.
He smiled, just showing a hint of fang. One had to meet expectations in some ways.
“And you, Lord Ravenscroft. But please call me Jane. And may I call you Balthazar?” Jane asked.
“Of course, we’re going to have quite a few of these cozy chats as the school year continues,” Balthazar agreed magnanimously.
One had to appear as if one was allowing something one would not otherwise entertain in order for it to count. And yes, his first name in her butter-wouldn’t-melt in her mouth was something.
“And yes, I have the honor of asking you what everyone wants to know about this little endeavor of yours.” She smiled back just as toothily.
Fang for fang, Jane? Ah, you think to ask me the tough questions. How quaint to think that would work! But Balthazar mentally rubbed his hands together in any case.
He heard Caemorn mentally sigh beside him. They were both seated in one of the Eyros Palace’s formal living rooms. It was very luxurious yet cozy with a mixture of contemporary--lots of glass and metal--with the warmth of wood and rich, jewel tones.
A fireplace was to the right of their over-large, plum colored, velvet chairs with the gold accents. Jane’s chair was not half as fine. All were comfortable though for this long interview. Books lined the walls, except for the one that was a sheet of sheer glass overlooking some of the formal gardens around his palace. The red and blue moons of the Ever Dark spread their ghostly light over all of the blooms. Many of the reporters’ heads turned to look out at that sky, to remind themselves that no matter how much this space might remind them of Earth, they were no longer there.
We need to play the game, Caemorn, he reminded his grumpy co-Headmaster.
I do not have to read these peoples’ thoughts to know that they are banal at best and antagonistic to us at worst, Caemorn replied. Likely, more than a bit antagonistic.
Caemorn thought the last as he narrowed his silver eyes at Jane. A makeup artist was dusting her brow and nose with powder so that her skin wouldn’t shine under the hot lights. He and Caemorn did not need powder as they did not sweat.
She’s looking for an Emmy, I think. It is an Emmy--
And she won’t get that by playing along, Caemorn reminded him. She needs something juicy--and bad for us--to tell her viewers.
I’m well aware of what she needs, Balthazar said and mentally cracked his fingers with relish.
You like this sparring? Caemorn frowned.
Of course! It’s a challenge to not use my powers against her but still get what I need from here nonetheless. And, if I’m very good, without her knowing I’ve gotten anything at all, Balthazar explained gleefully.
Elgar is here. Can’t you just have him Whisper? Then we won’t even have to do the interviews as they will be so pleased with everything and everyone, Caemorn stated as he brushed what looked suspiciously like bone dust off of his black pants.
If you’re going to play with Bone Bear before you do an interview for goodness sake, do not wear black! Balthazar groaned.
Caemorn pursed his lips, not denying that he had been playing with the dead bear he’d brought back to life.
If you want a pet, you should get a cat. Like Meffy. Soft and sweet--
You are covered in cat hair constantly, Caemorn said.
Bone Bear smells. Balthazar sniffed.
That is unkind. He’s clean. He doesn’t track litter litter everywhere or have cat food breath, which he proceeds to lick all over one’s face. Caemorn rubbed an imaginary spot on his cheek that Meffy had supposedly licked.
But Balthazar knew better. Meffy had better taste than to be licking Caemorn...
Clean? Bone Bear is clean? I think not! He keeps trying to sleep in my bed! Balthazar sent as Caemorn crossed one leg over to hide the bone dust.
