Page 35 of Ever Dark Academy: Vol. 3
“Christian and Julian! Those two are edging to help and we know that they are safe as houses so… they will meet up with them,” Balthazar cut in.
Grayson nodded. “Do that.”
“And what about you?” Kaito asked.
“Where will you be?” Nero added.
“Meeting with the other Immortals,” he answered.
“Alone?!”
He wasn’t quite sure who said that, but it sounded like everyone, but Balthazar and Caemorn.
Grayson held up a hand. “Yes, alone. I’ll be safe with them until--”
“Safe? With Kaly?” Kaito looked as if Grayson wasn’t a kitten, declawed or not, but a lunatic. It was almost like the look Caemorn had given him with the attempted hug.
“Yes, I am safe with Kaly. We’ll discuss this later, but I need you to do as I say now,” Grayson commanded them.
They all three straightened. They blinked at one another as if a little surprised he had it in him in human--declawed kitten--form.
“You need to trust me,” Grayson told them. “Even if it’s hard. Maybe, especially, if it’s hard. Can you do it?”
They all three nodded, but he wasn’t sure if he believed them.
Don’t worry, Balthazar said, the promise will hold. For now.
Step Into The Future
Ryder stood outside of the Eyros Palace. It was beautiful with all its glass and wood sitting amongst roses and deep trees. It reminded him of a jewel-like drop of water on a tree limb. More of the mind than matter. This, of course, was fitting for Eyros.
He was alone as he had ended his interview with Amaris and Kayne with instructions for Demos and Siban to accompany them to their new quarters and see they had everything they needed.
“Find out more about them,” Ryder had also commanded Siban and Demos. “I want to know what is in the hearts and minds of these Weryn. I will count on you both to help me pick the worthy to be our trusted family.”
Both of them nodded smartly.
“Are you certain you want to go to a party with only Immortals?” Demos let out a soft guffaw as he asked it.
“I think I have to at some point. Besides, Grayson will be there, and I hunger to see him,” Ryder admitted.
He more than hungered. It was like a constant ache. And it had propelled him to leave his newly reclaimed palace–even as desired to stay and explore it–to be with his lover.
On the way over from the Weryn Palace, he’d truly looked at the city again. Not as he had when he first came here, to map it and plot quick escapes. But to feel it, to know it, to embrace it. Nightvallen was Daemon’s city, but it belonged to all of them in a way. It was the heart of the Vampire World. And what a heart it was with its graceful curving streets and elegant white stone buildings.
He’d glimpsed Christian and Julian giving guided tours to the press. The beautiful boys–Julian with his winsome smile and Christian with his dry patience for in depth questions–easily strolled amongst the slowly opening city. Several of the palaces, the school, some of the larger buildings and, of course, shops for the students had been opened, but there were still so many buildings that had remained shut and dark or with only softly glowing lights as if waiting for their owners to return.
Outside of the palaces, Vampires of great age and importance must have lived here. Many were likely long gone now. Given their Second Deaths in the War. Or disappeared into the dirt like Elgar had and had not yet re-emerged. Maybe some were like his own Bloodline who remained out there, somewhere, not quite sure if it was safe to come back or if they wanted to.
Some buildings were being repurposed as embassies for every country on Earth. Corporations were clamoring to be allowed in to study the Ever Dark and pillage its resources. Not that Daemon would allow the second. Not that the Ever Dark itself would either. But humans were industrious, curious beings that always needed to further progress even if it wasn’t good for them.
With this first year of students, most of the city was purposefully being kept empty. There were too many internal politics that they couldn’t allow the humans to see. But, at the same time, the humans wanted to be assured about what they were doing. They were supposed to be full partners in this.
Julian and Christian had stopped in front of the burbling fountain where the parade had gone past not that long ago. That smile that caused hearts to beat harder appeared on the Vampire Prince’s beautiful face.
“This is the Avenue of the Immortals. Each Immortal has their own palace. Those who have returned to us and taken up residence have flames above their palaces. King Daemon’s main palace is at the end,” Julian explained and gestured around them.
A reporter that Ryder vaguely knew from television frantically waved a hand in the air like a very eager student. Julian called upon her though from the slight dry look from Christian it was obvious to Ryder that questions were to wait until after the tour.
