Page 9 of Research with Rivals
“Yes, we worked well together, but that was when there was nothing to claim. I just wanted to help my friend’s inn succeed.”
I studied her thoroughly. Evelyn was never one to speak about what she wanted. I’d asked her goals and aims on multiple occasions, simply trying to get to know her better. She’d never shared them. Something about this moment made me wonder if she finally would.
“What do you want now?” My instinct said she wanted the position. She wanted to be Vesten historian. I hadn’t even finished the thought when the words were out of her mouth.
“I want the Vesten historian position.” Her eyes widened immediately at the admission. It looked like she had to physically stop herself from lifting her hand to cover her mouth.
I, too, was surprised she’d actually said it. Instead of being horrified, I was delighted. She’d told me something about herself. But the excitement only lasted for a second before the pieces slipped into place and I realized what this meant.
Of course she wanted the position. She had a chip on her shoulder the size of a small mountain. Not that it hadn’t formed from the fae’s constant dismissal of her as a half-fae. And not that she didn’t deserve the Vesten historian position. If everything Gabriel said about the way Carter wanted to evolve the position was true, Evelyn stood as much of a chance of winning it as I did—maybe more.
My father would have thoughts on that. I sobered. “I see.”
It was the wrong thing to say. Her gaze snapped back to mine and narrowed. I could have sworn a snarl escaped her lips before she spoke. “Did you just assume the position would go to you?”
“That’s—”
“Ambrose!” Landon called.
I briefly closed my eyes, fighting my frustration at the interruption. My wolf whined in my mind, and I silently agreed with him. This had gone off track, but Tatyana and Landon were the last people Evelyn would want to speak to.
She made her escape, and this time, I let her slip by me. Landon and Tatyana didn’t even acknowledge her when she passed them in the aisle.
“Ambrose, did you really have a project briefing with Lord Arctos?” Tatyana asked. “The library is buzzing about it.”
I didn’t care about library gossip, but at this point, all I could do was watch Evelyn walk away.
“I can’t believe you’re going to be Vesten historian,” Landon added.
My hackles rose at the comment. It wasn’t true. Not with the criteria Gabriel had shared. My feelings on the matter were complicated, and I didn't want to discuss them with these two. Regardless, I knew Landon’s voice was too loud. Evelyn had absolutely heard it.
“You know they’d never put a half-fae in the position, no matter the changes at Compass Lake. It’d be unheard of…”Landon trailed off as he looked up and noticed Evelyn was still within earshot.
I met and held Evelyn’s gaze across the room. She couldn’t think that I believed this nonsense, could she? What had Gabriel said in his office? She knew I didn’t need to be tested. But how could he know that? I’d apologized to her for Lord Arctos’s words, but had I clarified that I’d never thought that way about her? Not even for a second?
The moment extended between us. I opened my mouth to speak, but she clutched my paper to her chest and fled.
As if theday could get worse, Evelyn hadn’t been gone for more than a few minutes when my father entered the Great Room. He didn’t come to the library often, but as soon as Landon caught a glimpse of him entering through the large double doors, he stopped mid-sentence.
“We should get back to work,” Tatyana said, but with little energy. She knew she didn’t have enough time to escape without appearing rude.
I knew neither Landon nor Tatyana cared about getting back to a specific project as much as they cared not to be with me when my father approached. He had earned a reputation with even the newest researchers.
“Ambrose,” Father called as he made his way to me. A cane preceded him as he walked. He slid it back and forth with each step to ensure nothing was in his way. His eyesight wasn’t entirely gone, but it was severely impaired.
He paused upon reaching me and turned his head imperiously toward Tatyana and Landon. “Don’t you two havework you should be doing, instead of gossiping?” He shook his head in distaste and dismissal.
“Yes, of course, Mr. Yarrow,” Landon murmured, and the pair disappeared.
They most certainly weren’t out of earshot when Father added, “Maybe if those two spent half as much time learning our history as they do spreading rumors, they might make something of themselves.”
I cleared my throat. It was rude, but honestly, I was still upset with them about what they’d said regarding Evelyn and the historian position. I hadn’t had a chance to correct them with my father’s arrival. I would try to do so before I left for the day. The entire library needed to stop speaking carelessly about half-fae.
“And what about you, my boy? What do you have to say for yourself? Standing around here when I know you have work to do.”
I clutched the journal tighter. I did need to start reading this, I just didn’t think Father would care for its contents. “You’re right, I have work to do. Did you need something before I begin?”
He tilted his head in consideration. “Good, good. It’s good that the competition for Vesten historian isn’t the first thing out of your mouth. It shows you’re going to work hard even though you’re guaranteed to win.”
