Page 10 of Research with Rivals
I stood up straighter. “That’s not?—”
He waved away my objection. “I know you’ll win, given everything I’ve taught you. You know the history and you have the legacy for the position, but it doesn’t serve to act like it’s a done deal.”
My nostrils flared as I responded. “Evelyn is the best blood magic researcher this library has ever seen. I don’t in any way think it’s a done deal.”
Father waved his hand in another dismissal. “I just spoke with Gabriel—he knows the future of the Vesten Court is with its history, not with blood magic. I know he’ll make the right choice.”
I couldn’t imagine what discussion my father thought he’d had. Everything about this conversation seemed pointless, but still, I continued. “It’s not Gabriel’s choice. It’s the Vesten Point’s, and he seems to prize the study of blood magic greatly.”
“Yes, yes, that’s because it’s new and flashy. He’s young. He’ll learn soon enough the dangers. He’ll realize that only history can truly be trusted to guide us.”
My lips threatened to curve into a smile as I considered the book I held in my hand. It was over five hundred years old. There was no question that itwashistory. Yet Gabriel, Carter, and Lord Arctos thought it held information about blood magic that we needed to know. Maybe blood magic and history were more interconnected than we all thought. I wouldn’t share that information with Father. It was classified, and at this point, his opinion was so entrenched that I wasn’t sure facts would sway him.
He didn’t notice my pause. “I’ll let you get back to work. I’m on my way to pick up Sasha and Timothy. I just wanted to tell you I’m proud of you. This is everything we’ve been working for.”
And like that, I deflated. There was no winning here. Father’s words were just as rare as Evelyn telling me what she wanted. The only problem was that Father’s approval was only given if I followed directly in his footsteps.
I didn’t want to do everything precisely as he had. It wasn’t that I didn’t want the Vesten historian position. On the contrary, I did. I wanted the opportunity to shape our court’s research. I wanted to make an impact, especially under the direction of the current Vesten Point. But doing everything that Father had done was like a suit two sizes too small; it didn’t fit right. It was whyI’d dipped my toe into the study of blood magic to begin with. Father still didn’t know about that, though.
“I’ll see you for the evening meal,” he said.
I swallowed, unsure how to proceed with so many conflicting thoughts circling in my head. “Yes, Father,” barely made it past my lips before he left. I had decisions to make, and the only thing that would help was thoroughly documenting the pros and cons. My notebook was already in my hand, a habit that required little thought, as I returned to my desk and started writing.
4
Evelyn
Iloved my work at the library, but days like today reminded me why Parkview Tavern was my sanctuary. It was in the exact center of Sandrin, nestled into the largest stretch of greenery within the city. A small moat surrounded the old wooden building, making it feel like you were truly venturing away from the hustle and bustle to enjoy a drink.
The best part was, no one here cared if you were human or fae—or some blend of the two. No one cared what you did outside of the tavern. Seraphina, the owner, cultivated a community where none of that mattered.
As I slipped in the back door to start my shift, I smiled at the dull roar of noise emanating from the main room. It was strange to think that Seraphina had considered closing this place only a few months ago. Now, it was always packed with patrons.
My apron hung on the hook by the kitchen. I secured it and took a deep breath, ridding myself of my day at the library. Mybeast had relaxed. She seemed to be back in her cage now that I had distance from so many stressors.
“Evelyn!” Seraphina jumped as she came around the corner from the kitchen, almost running into me. Hastily, she crumpled a note clutched in her hand.
When I attempted to flash her a smile, she put her hands on her hips. My internal pep talk must not have worked as well as I hoped.
Her shoulders fell in recognition of a trying day. “Ah, so it’s like that with you, too.”
“Everything alright?” I asked.
Her fist closed more tightly around the paper. “It’s fine. Nothing I can’t handle. What about you?”
“Maybe the same? I plan to forget about it for a while, but I’ll let you know if I fail.”
Seraphina smiled. “Acceptable. I’ll check in before you leave. Luna said she’d be here for the evening meal, so maybe we can sneak out and stand in the moat or whatever she does to calm down.”
I nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”
Tucking the note in her pocket, Seraphina ran her fingers through her long blond ponytail. “Ready to get out there?”
“Are you?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” She ushered me down the hallway, which opened into the tavern’s main room. It was an older building, with dark wood beams and paneling. The bar was to my right, and Seraphina slipped behind it as I walked past.
Mina, another server, was already on the floor. She smiled at me and nodded toward the left side of the room, which tended to be how we split the tables. A couple had just sat down by the window. I approached them to take their order and put everything else behind me.
