Page 60 of Ever Dark Academy: Vol. 3
Julian gently patted Ryder’s shoulder. Ryder just nodded, a feeling of gratefulness flooding him.
Depending how things go, what about tomorrow to begin your shifting lessons? Ryder asked.
Julian immediately perked up. Hell, yeah! I hope I’m like a wolf or something. That would be cool. Daemon can turn himself into 100 wolves. Watch, I’ll be a kitten. That would be ridiculous, right? No one is like a baby animal, are they? I mean I know we talked about this, but I have to be sure…
Ryder’s mouth curled into a smile at the look of sheer terror in Julian’s eyes that he would be a kitten or puppy though his eyes really did remind Ryder of a baby animal’s at that point.
Don’t worry, Julian. Your spirit animal will be your compliment in all ways, he assured the younger Vampire.
I’m definitely going to be a kitten, Julian deadpanned, but then laughed. Hey, at least, Balthazar will be pleased. He loves cats.
So I’ve heard and seen, Ryder remarked dryly. In all seriousness, Julian, your animal will be spectacular, I’m certain. You might have more than one since Daemon does.
Julian nodded and sighed. I’d be relieved to have one! You should have seen it when we tried to shift together last time. We got naked. Which is always fun. But like nothing happened. Nothing! Well, Daemon finally became his wolf army so I could snuggle with them, but nothing else happened. It sucked.
That sounds adorable. And I would have never thought that of Daemon before, Ryder admitted.
Julian beamed. Yeah, he is. And so much more. But then the young prince shook himself and said, But we’d best get back to it. There’s Christian down the hall.
Ryder urged Julian to go on and enjoy himself. He saw Julian meet up with his best friend, Christian. Christian smiled at him and waved as well.
Caemorn says that he’s not spotted any suspicious behavior out back, Ryder, Christian sent to him telepathically. You?
Caemorn is outside? We have the Ashyr and Fiona’s people outside, Ryder pointed out. Not to mention, Demos and Siban are stalking the grounds in their animal forms.
He felt more than saw Christian’s lopsided smile. He’s not a fan of crowds. Or parties. Or people. Living people.
Ah, yes, Ryder nodded.
Besides, most people are scared of him. He’ll have a dampening effect wherever he goes, according to him that is, Christian added the last part.
You and Balthazar don’t seem put off by him at all, Ryder pointed out.
No, we aren’t. He’s just… Caemorn. I can’t explain it. Julian feels the same. It sounds ridiculous that we want to protect him. He’s so powerful, but he’s fragile too, Christian sent.
Madness runs through his veins like cracks in marble, Weryn murmured.
He is lucky to have all of you, Ryder said generously.
It’s good to have people you can trust when you’re different, Christian told him and it felt like there was more in that statement than on its face.
Yes, it is. Ryder mentally cleared his throat. I’m going to head down to the second floor. I’ll leave you two to patrol here.
Christian made a nod and ended their connection with a mental wave. Ryder headed down the stairs.
I haven’t seen any sign of trouble. Have you, Balthazar? Ryder asked. He worried that he was becoming desensitized to all around him as nothing was happening. Well, nothing criminal in any case. My nose is filled with the scent of sex and a myriad of other things. But no pain or fear or iron determination.
You can smell determination? Balthazar sounded surprised.
Ryder frowned. Yes, can’t you?
Clearly, not! What does it smell like? Balthazar was intrigued.
Ryder drew in a deep breath and filtered all the scents again. The musky, earthy smell of sex. The acidic, sour smell of sweat. The sweet fading scent of perfumes and colognes as they were sweated off. The metallic scent of blood. Not too much of that last one. And then, of course, were the emotional scents. Love and lust also smelled of roses and copper to him. Determination had a hard, stony smell like an old mountain exposed to the elements. Fear had an acrid, bitter scent that always coasted the back of his throat when he breathed it in. He explained all of this to Balthazar.
That’s absolutely fascinating! Your nose is a marvel! Are all Weryn Vampires able to do this? Balthazar asked.
Yes, to a certain extent. Our animal form–or in my case forms–seem to trigger this ability in us. We aren’t limited by those forms, but whatever heightened sense our animal form has, it is that much more heightened in us, Ryder said.
