Page 155 of Mortal Shift
“Seven? How could they just...?”
Cole pressed his lips together and shook his head slowly.
“Darkveil Academy was designed to test us.” His voice was somber. “Our world isn’t the same world you grew up in, Cali. Where I came from... Where I came from, if you couldn’t survive a trial like that, you didn’t deserve to live. There’s no room in my world—our world, now—for weakness.”
“I don’t think I like our world,” I murmured, leaning my head against his chest.
He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. “No. Me, either.”
And whatever else I was thinking in that moment, I couldn’t doubt his words. Because I knew that he’d planned to change it. I knew what he’d been willing to do, willing to give up, to bring about that change. Until I showed up, and laid waste to his plans.
No.
I wouldn’t let this be the end of his dreams, his hopes for a better world.
“We will change things, you know,” I murmured against his chest. “Together.”
“Yes.” I could hear his determination and fervor in the single word. “We will. And we’re going to have all summer to plan it. My pack has extended an invite for you to stay with us, so that you can be close to your mother. If you want, I mean.”
“Are you kidding me? Of course I want. That’s amazing!” I tilted my head up to gaze into his eyes. “You’re amazing.”
“I bet you say that to all the guys,” he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“Just the ones who saved my life,” I said, and felt the rumble in his chest.
“That’s too many for my liking.”
“Hey!” I slapped his arm and he chuckled. “That’s enough laughing at my expense, thank you very much. Can we get back to your packlands already?”
He shook his head. “No-one can leave until this afternoon.”
“What? Well, what are we supposed to do until then?”
“I can think of a few things.” He trailed his fingers along my rib cage, and suddenly I could think of a few things, too. None of which involved standing in this corridor.
“What are we waiting for, then?” I said, tangling my hand in his.
We didn’t make it more than the single step before Astor’s door swung open and she stood framed in its outline.
“Ah. I thought I heard you two out here. A word in my office, please, Ms. Ellis. You may wait out here, Cole.”
She turned on her heel and went back inside, leaving me no choice but to follow.
“Close the door, please,” she said as she settled into her seat behind her desk.
I did as she said, and then went to stand in front of her desk. Polite Astor was never good. I think I preferred it when she was threatening me.
“We have quite a lot to discuss, it would seem,” she said, and I nodded mutely in reply. Yes, I supposed we did.
“Callista Ellis,” she intoned. “You stand accused of deceiving the high council with regards to your species alignment.”
“I...what? I don’t...” I shook my head, trying to wrap my mind around her words, her accusation, but it was just so ridiculous.
“There is no sense in attempting to deny it, Ms. Ellis. There are witnesses who saw you complete a partial shift.”
“Yeah, and I have no idea how I did that. I didn’t deceive anyone!”
“That's for the council to decide,” she said, a cold smile curving her lips as she steepled her hands on the desk in front of her. “You will be summoned over the course of the summer. Do not expect them to go lightly on you once they uncover your deception.”
