Page 10 of Ever Dark Academy: Vol. 3
“Of course, Master,” Dani murmured.
“I think all of us--having just got you back--are anxious to keep you safe, Grayson,” Ryder said quietly. “But I trust your judgment. And until we eliminate the Sect of Dawn there is danger for everyone.”
“King Daemon’s return has unearthed things that have festered too long and unleashed new enemies,” Grayson told them. “Our focus cannot be on old wounds. There will be time for that. But we must protect each other and our king. Do we agree on this?”
“We do,” Ryder said.
“We do,” Dani agreed.
The others nodded.
“So, for now, I am Grayson Duke, not the Immortal Ashyr,” Grayson said. “I’m a student at this school with no powers. Just a normal, fragile human.”
Ryder grinned. “They’ll wish that was so--pray it was so--until they find out otherwise.”
So Many Plans
Ryder urged Grayson to drink more juice and eat some more eggs and toast. He knew that despite promises to the contrary that Grayson would be using his powers and that would drain him. So he needed to be as energized as possible. Besides, Ryder wanted him as powerful as he could be. The Sect of Dawn could be anyone. Anywhere.
Grayson reached over and squeezed his hand in thanks. His smile was brilliant and warmed Ryder down to his bones, but Grayson’s focus on him did not last. He could see the wheels in Grayson’s head turning as the great Vampire General started to plan his campaign. If Ryder had needed yet more proof that Ashyr was at the forefront and not Grayson any longer, the confident way in which Grayson started to arrange what was going to happen that day would have confirmed it. No longer the uncertain, untrusting young man, but an Immortal used to being listened to and obeyed.
“What is the plan going forward, Ash--Grayson?” Dani quickly amended.
“First, I assume that the Weryn are arriving and will need to be greeted by their Immortal?” Grayson looked over at Demos and Siban for confirmation.
Demos nodded. “More than 100 already and more to come. Biggest gathering of the Bloodline in… I don’t know how long.”
Ryder grimaced. He felt edgier with more Weryn around rather than less. Weryn that he had not chosen. Weryn that might not be loyal or worthy. He knew that considering his own actions in the War some would wonder if he was the worthy one.
It does not matter. I am Weryn. This is my Bloodline. For better or ill, I lead it, he thought.
“They are eager to meet you, Master,” Siban said to Ryder with a smile.
“Meet me? After what they’ve likely heard? No, Siban, I doubt many are like you and will forgive me and seek out my company. They want to know what I am going to do.” Ryder ran a hand through his hair.
“You don’t think they’re loyal to you?” Grayson asked.
His eyebrows lifted, clearly surprised. This was definitely Ashyr talking. Grayson hadn’t trusted anyone. Had probably thought the idea of loyalty too dangerous to count on. But it was certain from his clear-eyed gaze now that he thought Weryn had been worthy of being loyal to, of having people who would give their Second Lives for him.
Maybe that was true. But now? After what I put them all through? Things I don’t remember. Things I don’t want to remember, he corrected. I wonder who would seek me out and why.
“The people I was closest to this time around in the Bloodline I kicked out yesterday,” Ryder reminded him with a sigh. He put his hands on his hips and gritted his teeth. “I don’t know who these new people are. The Weryn have become hugely clannish. We handle our own issues within our Houses. As much as we spoke of pack, the truth was we were isolated from each other.”
“We spoke of what we wanted it to be. Not what it was,” Demos agreed. “But it could be that, Ryder. I know you could make it just like we talked about.”
“Not just me. You and Siban are crucial to whatever the Weryn become,” Ryder told his best friend.
Demos nodded. “And we have faith in you. Don’t let the past weigh you down. The present and the future are all we’ve got.”
He felt the truth of Demos’ statements, but the past hung so heavy on everything, including those that were coming. “What if the ones that come are like the ones we kicked out?”
“Lawson couldn’t have tainted everyone,” Grayson said with a shake of his head. “There must be some of your old line left that kept the spirit of the Weryn alive. Your people were the most loyal, the strongest, the best. Truly. I know you don’t remember, but I do.”
“You remember it all?” Dani asked.
“No, more like flashes and things. But overall, I just feel things. And I feel this about the Weryn,” Grayson said.
But was that hope or logic speaking? Ryder couldn’t say, but he loved Grayson for saying it nonetheless. He would try to make it true now, no matter how tall that mountain seemed at the moment.
