Void Domain, Book 02 полностью

Wayne took a moment to ensure his answer did not violate Devon’s earlier warning. “I am not unable to ask her. It is a question of wanting to.” Especially with her pet spider around.

“We fail to understand. Ask her if you wish to know or accept your own ignorance.”

“I doubt you’d have to worry about her taking offense, if that is what you’re worried about.”

“No. I’m far more concerned about the answer. What it will mean if I don’t like it.”

Devon leaned forward, narrowing his eyes at Wayne. “And just what will it mean?”

“We can’t have a murderer hanging around Brakket. The school has enough problems as it is. If her being a blood mage ever came into light, I doubt we could sweep it under the carpet. Even demons would be easier to explain away so long as they weren’t killing anyone.”

“Sounds like your problem. I don’t give a damn about your school. The only thing I care about is Eva being safe and available. If anything happens to jeopardize that, we’ll leave. Vanish into the night or something similarly poetic.”

Wayne frowned as he glanced over Devon. “You’re not her father. What is she to you?”

“A research subject.”

“That’s it?” Wayne asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Entirely.”

His frown deepened. Not a single protective emotion? The man’s face didn’t betray anything. “What is the nature of the research?”

“You’re not stealing my notes that easily.”

“It involves demons?”

“Possibly.”

Of course it does, Wayne thought. The self-proclaimed demonologist would have proclaimed himself something else if he was researching anything that didn’t involve demons.

“What’s the nature of her relationship with Arachne.”

Devon merely shrugged. “Lovers. Best friends. Bitter enemies bound together by a contract. Who knows? It is unrelated.”

Wayne hadn’t seen too much interaction, but didn’t get the impression that they were enemies. Just while they were arguing whether or not to take Arachne back to Brakket, Wayne noticed a certain closeness to them. Arachne stood over Eva–almost fawned over her–in a very protective manner.

But unrelated to his research?

Unless he was lying.

Perhaps some demon-human relationship experiment if that was the case.

“You mentioned before–”

A hurried knock at the door interrupted Wayne. Tom entered while still knocking.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, but several more of those nuns arrived. I didn’t get the impression that they came for relaxation and amazing drinks.”

“That’s my cue to leave,” Devon said as he stood up. “Ylva–well, whatever. I think I’d sleep better if you didn’t survive.” He started towards the door before pausing. “You got a back way outta here?”

“Yeah, straight down the hall. Last door leads to the alley.”

“Mr. Lurching was it? Perhaps next time a meeting place in a more discrete locale? Or not at all. I’d be happier with the latter.”

Before Wayne could respond, he stepped into the hallway and disappeared. Actually vanished. The sound of a door opening and slamming shut echoed down the hall a moment later.

Throughout the commotion, Ylva did not move a muscle save to casually sip at her drink.

“You’re not concerned?”

“Extensive knowledge on the magics used by the Elysium Order is within Our expertise. They will find themselves unable to harm Us.” She lifted her glass slightly. “We will finish Our drink prior to retiring. If you wish to depart, We will not take offense.”

“Right.” Wayne wasn’t too keen on being caught in the presence of a demon. Not when he could be hurt by them, as his mildly aching legs reminded him. “Tom, always a pleasure. I hope I haven’t caused you too much trouble.”

“Not at all. Everything on your tab then?” He asked with a nod towards Ylva.

“That will be fine.” Wayne pulled out his wand and, with a flick of his wrist, vanished from the room.

The walls fell away into a white void before rebuilding in the form of his bedroom.

He entertained the thought of visiting Zoe. She needed to know about the bloodstones at some point.

The glowing face of the clock stopped him. It was already an hour past midnight. He doubted she would be awake at this hour. Not when she had class in the morning.

No. It could wait. There was more to investigate as well. Perhaps Wayne would even question Spencer on the matter.

He cursed to himself as he realized that he forgot to ask about the pillar.

— — —

Arachne clung to the ceiling as that nurse walked into the room to poke and prod and ensure Eva was still in bed.

Foolish nurse. As if she had any power over Eva.

The nurse pulled out a potion. With no small amount of arguing, she finally got Eva to drink it.

Arachne’s fangs quivered when the nurse walked beneath her. All it would take was one scrape and a little venom would have her never touching her Eva again. She would never see it coming–humans never looked up.

No. Eva would be angry with me again. Arachne only just got her punishment revoked. She had to restrain herself. Not to mention that they’d almost assuredly be found out. Fleeing Brakket would not make Eva happy.