Page 13 of Ever Dark Academy: Vol. 3
“A lot of things.” But Grayson didn’t elaborate on any of those. Instead, he stated, “Besides what Ryder mentioned, using my powers all over the place would definitely reveal that I’m not a normal human.”
“If I am with you when you use them, they can think it's me operating and not you at all,” Dani suggested.
Grayson nodded. “That could work.”
“And perhaps, you could teach me to do it? To find these constructs, I mean, so that you don’t have to exhaust yourself?” Dani asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe. We should try it on Jill. But, regardless, we’re not going to be able to test everyone before the first event for the students,” Grayson pointed out. “We need to talk to the other Immortals. I’m sure they have a plan to keep the students safe. We need to coordinate.” Grayson closed his eyes for a moment then let out a laugh. When he opened them he was smiling. “Balthazar will arrange a meeting in two hours at the Eyros Palace. All Immortals will be present.”
“What did he say to make you laugh?” Ryder asked.
“Oh, he was being cheeky,” Grayson said.
“So typical Balthazar,” Ryder groaned.
“Typical Balthazar,” Grayson agreed.
Ryder was glad of the hard cutoff with his Bloodline. He was already feeling like his skin was too tight on his body. His temper was flaring for no good reason at the thought of the Weryn all, looking at him with their big cow eyes, wanting to be led like calves to the slaughter, wanting to be safe when there was no safety! And… He stopped himself. These were Weryn’s thoughts. Not his. He drew in a deep, steadying breath. Both Siban and Demos were regarding him carefully.
“What is this first event exactly?” Ryder asked, trying to change the subject and draw attention away from himself.
“It’s a special Mirryr Bloodline event,” Siban said. “A masked ball.”
Dani groaned. “Of course. A masked ball so we can add that level of complexity in keeping track of people.”
“We can use our noses.” Siban touched the side of theirs. “Smell is always better anyways, especially at a Mirryr party. We need to know these students’ scents.”
“One hundred students. It can be done.” Demos nodded.
“I’d like to test your people, Ryder, at some point,” Grayson said, his gaze intense. “For the constructs.”
“You needn’t worry about me, Grayson.” Ryder cupped Grayson’s face. “The one thing I am very good at is taking care of myself.”
“Grayson did save our asses before though,” Demos said with a chuckle.
“He did indeed. But now that Weryn is back… Well, things are different,” Ryder said.
He could feel the surges of power along with the temper flares. It was incredible really. The power that he’d never truly known he’d had.
“I just… don’t want anything to happen to you,” Grayson admitted.
He ran his thumbs along Grayson’s cheeks. “The feeling is mutual. But both of us can take care of ourselves. From most things anyways.”
Grayson nodded. “So I guess we should go our separate ways then until we meet up at the Eyros Palace?”
He could hear the reluctance in Grayson’s voice and in the way the young man leaned forward, towards him. Ryder felt the desire to simply pick Grayson up and carry him off someplace where they could be alone. But there was so much they had to do and safety could not be found in running away right now.
“I was thinking that the best place to meet the Weryn is… in my Palace,” Ryder said with a small grin. “And I thought you’d like to see that.”
Grayson’s eyes widened. “Most definitely! And that will definitely set the tone for when you meet them!”
Demos and Siban were all wide-eyed and eager, too. It was good to see. He still felt a little guilty that he hadn’t opened it earlier for them. But he hadn’t been in the right headspace last night, not with Grayson so sick. But it felt right now. He wanted to see it himself. He wanted to experience it. Maybe once he was there, he could get a sense of how who he had been was connected to who he was now.
Or am I like Balthazar and Caemorn: unrecognizable from Weryn? Maybe that’s why they’ve both decided to not remember. Maybe I should make that decision too.
But he could feel Weryn roiling inside of him and he thought of the line of animals. No, that wasn’t an option. The only way he’d have Weryn’s full powers--which would aid in keeping Grayson and the others safe--is if he had Weryn’s full memories, but his own conscience.
Is that even possible?
