Page 2 of Immortal Sins
I bite my bottom lip not to snort. Boo-hoo, I bet Flynn misses his mortal whores horribly.
“I can’t let them go for now,” Dan says.
Brady pauses, and a stuffy silence floats about the room before he adds, “May I ask why? We’re risking a dire inter-realm incident.”
The dragon’s voice softens. “Jack, the incident has happened. It’s done. Fae royalty has proven that they won’t uphold our laws. If we want to keep them out of the Academy’s administration, we can’t enter negotiations from a position of weakness.”
Brady clears his throat. “So Flynn and Jessaarehostages.”
“They still have the same classes and opportunities as the other students. It’s not like we forced them to enroll in this realm. They just can’t leave for a while.”
My line of sight clears.
Brady rubs the arch of his brow. “And how am I supposed to present that fact to them?”
“You just tell them that a long-standing Academy rule prevents students from leaving the realm as long as a security threat exists.”
Exactly. It’s no big deal. I hug my knees and rest my head on the wood. No one else will be hurt, and Flynn and Jessa will return home in time. I squeeze my eyes shut. Behind closed lids, I can almost see Miss Eillis’ white, lifeless unicorn form.
A sickening shudder quakes my chest, and I shake my head to purge the unwanted memories.
“We’re keeping them prisoners until that prince faces justice? We both know that’s never going to happen,” Brady grunts.
“Tell them whatever the fuck you want. They are not leaving until the President signs off on it.”
Icy chills scatter along my neck.
“So, Darkwood is in charge of Dark Falls now, too? That’s good to know…” Brady trails off.
Dan snorts, the sound low and vicious. “You’re starting to sound like Rob Winslow. Be careful, Jack. Times are changing. You don’t want to end up on the wrong side of this fight.”
Magic sparks beneath my fingertips, and I sink my nails in my arm. If I’m not careful, I’ll blow the desk right into the ceiling. Daniel and Dad will never see eye to eye on politics, but he’s my father, and I love him. After I graduate, when we tell Dad about our relationship, I hope the two can mend fences.
“And what’s the right side?” Brady asks.
“This side. Right here.” Dan wraps an arm around his colleague’s shoulders. “Don’t worry, mate. The Fae won’t stay here indefinitely. We’ll just use all the cards in our possession to get the best deal possible.”
The quiet, slimy defiance in Brady’s voice melts. “I trust you, Oz. You know that. But I heard that the old witch wanted to cancel Divination and…”
Dan smiles. “Would I let that happen to you?”
I hear the answering grin in Brady’s tone. “Guess not.” The horse shifter spins on his heels and heads for the door.
“Jack, one last thing,” Dan breathes. “I wouldn’t talk about Piper Davenport like that, if you know what I mean… But I got you, my friend. You have nothing to worry about.”
I press a hand to my mouth to stifle a giggle. Mom’s presence at the Academy ruffles many male egos.
Brady leaves, and I crawl from my hiding spot. Dan sits at the edge of his desk and waves me over. “Don’t tell your mom about that. She’s touchy about her age.” His gaze falls to my exposed bra, and the smile on his handsome face turns wicked and self-serving. “Now, where were we?”
2
A JAR OF HONEY
“Why did you drag us here, Winslow?” Brie Demers says with her arms crossed, her back to the door. The bitter pout stuck on the mermaid’s face chips away my confidence.
The oxygen is sparse in Jeremy’s cramped bedroom, and I tug on the hem of my blouse, unsure I should have called this meeting after all.
Flynn leans against the desk, his hands on both sides of him, grasping the ledge. A loose tie hangs from his neck, and his white sleeves are rolled above his elbows. The bunch of his biceps and the golden glow of his skin set me on edge. His body seems too tall, his stature too grand, and his Fae beauty too bright for the narrow, dull and dusty space.
