Page 64 of Ever Dark Academy: Vol. 3
She spread her hands and laughed. “I’m Mairead, Grayson. I’m out there already.”
He laughed, but any mirth quickly died as he turned and practically ran from the dance floor. If he stayed any longer, she’d keep him there and the Sect member could already be up the stairs and gone.
Using his powers, he checked the whole of the room as he made his way to the back stairs. Just because the Sect member had been near there–or if they were Legion going up them–didn’t mean that they couldn’t have come back down. If Ryder was within sniffing distance then they must be nearby. But that was both good and bad.
Balthazar, tell Ryder not to act worried if he sees me. Everything is fine. He’s just here as a chaperone. There’s no danger, Grayson said as he started up the stairs. This is just one of the Sect’s missions and there could be other Sect members here. If we reveal we know their plan–
Do you know your lover at all? He’s practically frothing, but he’ll keep it together. He’ll just gnash his teeth quietly. And if he gets to you then he’ll feel better, Balthazar said.
Tell him to keep to the top of the stairs. I’m coming up and, hopefully, I’ll be able to point out the Sect member right then and there, Grayson said.
Yes, Grayson, understood. He knows, Balthazar assured him. He hates it all, but he’s doing it.
I’m going up the stairs now, Grayson said.
When you identify the person, just look at them, preferably their face, in case they get past Ryder. Though I can track an ass under certain circumstances, Balthazar said. Asses can be quite distinctive. You know–
I’ll get their face, Grayson replied dryly.
Grayson forced his expression to become calm, slightly tipsy, smiling vaguely. He wanted to look like one of the party-goers. Not quite drunk, but definitely feeling fine. Just enjoying the party. Nothing to see here! He was not on any mission. He had no idea that anyone was going to die.
The back stairs were crowded, far more crowded than the front had been. People were using it as a part of the party. He passed dozens of couples pressed up against the wall. Moaning and writhing. Legs curled around waists. Heads thrown back in pleasure. Lips parted when not fastened onto some other body part. Necks exposed.
Was there blood drinking going on? Grayson had been amused to see the no sex rule had been abandoned within moments, but blood drinking? He would have thought that this was verboten. But it was happening.
He could smell the coppery bite in the air. Saliva filled his mouth even though this body had no taste or need for blood. But he remembered the glory of it. Life-giving, hot, rich blood. It had gushed down his throat by the pints, sometimes gallons, when he had gone to war. It had heightened his senses and sent him spiraling into wild heights of power.
His power sparked within him, but it was a mere candle flame, he realized, compared to the nuclear furnace that should be there. But it would be enough. He sensed the structures in the person directly ahead of him. Just two people away. High heels. Slinky black dress. Hair cut in a severe black bob. It was a woman. It amused him to think of Legion as this woman who looked so very put together instead of a grizzled war veteran that he’d imagined. But it didn’t matter that they weren’t what he thought they’d be. He’d found them. One of them anyways.
I’ve found them, Balthazar, Grayson sent.
Their face? Balthazar asked. Though that dress will stand out. Don’t bother about the face. We’ll track them by that.
No, Balthazar. I want to make sure you get the right person, Grayson insisted.
Of course, you do. I’d know that OCD anywhere, Balthazar answered with a sigh. Ryder and Fiona are at the top of the stairs. I’ve sent them an image of the dress. He and Fiona can whisk them away to more private quarters.
Good.
Can’t believe that we’ll be meeting the infamous Legion in a few moments.
I can’t imagine Legion following anyone’s commands though, Grayson admitted as he kept that sexy sway of hips in his vision. Yet why would the leader come here and put themselves in so much risk?
Legion must be using another name, have another identity that’s known, because they would have never gotten in here otherwise, Balthazar pointed out.
Good point.
Maybe there are less of them than we think and after Jill’s fuck up, the leader decided to make an appearance, Balthazar mused.
That could be–FUCK! Grayson hissed as a laughing, drunk couple bumped into him, taking him down onto the stairs.
Grayson? Balthazar’s voice was sharp.
I’m fine! Just drunk people and no Vampire reflexes, Grayson growled.
He would have been able to use his gift if he hadn’t been so focused on the person ahead of him. He looked up. Where were they? Where was the dress, high heels and hair? No one like that was anywhere to be seen. Had they gotten to the top of the stairs already?
No one who has come up has looked like that, Balthazar answered the unasked question.
