Investigated

by Maya Daniels

  “Last time I checked, yes.” The sarcasm oozing from my words is not lost on the demon.

  “We thought you were a male when they approved the entrance.” Returning my glare, his massive arms fold over his chest.

  “Obviously.” Pressing my lips in a thin line, I’m debating if I should just deck him and leave his unconscious ass crumpled in the hallway. “I’m assuming the ‘Fenrir’s mate’ part was lost in your decision making.”

  “From what we knew, the two are not connected.” That statement is as confusing as everything else.

  “You mean two people have right of entrance here?” When his eyebrows lower over his glare, I finally roll my eyes. “If you thought Franky and Fenrir’s mate are different people, did you approve entrance to the academy for two people, or just one? Franky Drake”—I point the finger at my chest”—and Fenrir’s mate, whoever it may be?”

  The demon did a lot of face gymnastics from the moment I laid eyes on him, but none of it compares to the twitching I’m looking at right now. Shock, horror, anger, confusion, and disbelief fight for supremacy, leaving me gaping at him in awe. It’s really amazing to watch.

  Urgency won.

  “I must go!” Turning like a whirlwind, he sprints away, leaving me stunned, my arms and my jaw hanging limply.

  The demon moves fast. One moment I see the guy's back, the heels of his runners hitting his ass from the speed he is using. The next, he is gone, and I almost think I imagine him being there. What stuns me more is the fact that he just left me here while he had a stick up his ass earlier for me walking around without someone keeping an eye on me.

  “Just add it to the crazy that keeps piling up, Franky.” Shaking off the stunned state, he left me in, I take one step forward, then another. “See this as a blessing and go snoop around while you can.”

  Heading in the direction that the demon took, I can’t help but wonder what this means. Does someone else also suspect the academy is behind the disappearances, or do they have more sinister plans? Is Fenrir behind this second person, or does he have no idea about it? The questions keep piling up, and I don’t think I’ll have enough time to find all the answers.

  I didn’t even get the name of the demon.

  Chapter 12

  “You shouldn’t be up.” Zoltan’s voice makes me shiver, and I pray that he missed it.

  I doubt he misses anything.

  Keeping my eyes on one of the weapons displayed like artifacts in the room I find myself in, I ignore his presence. After a few more long hallways and turns, I discovered the arched entrance that separates the academy from the residential quarters. I think. After everything in the last twenty-four hours, I’m not sure of anything anymore.

  Wandering aimlessly, I get lost in the grandeur and riches that represent Daywalker Academy. It’s a chance in a lifetime for a half blood like me, and to my embarrassment, I can’t help but enjoy just being here. I can totally see the appeal it would have—even with the deadly trials, whatever they may be since I apparently skipped them—for pure bloods to be willing to give their lives to attend this place. Not even walking in the daylight among humans can be as rewarding as just standing on these grounds breathing it in. There is ancient magic and power pulsing like a beating heart in the monstrous building itself.

  My heart beats in sync with it.

  I lose all sense of time. It could be an hour or a week that I explore the decorated halls, portraits of many Daywalkers adoring the walls and staring back at me with stern gazes. Many stairways curl up on both sides, leading up and down the main building, and dozens of doors stand open that lead to large, auditorium-style rooms with circular rows of seats. Classrooms? Maybe. Tall arched windows allow the silvery light of the moon to mingle with the many lit candles nailed on sconces positioned strategically around the place. It feels like I am walking in an enchanted dream where you are not sure if it’ll be something magical, or a nightmare. Just the anticipation for something to happen guides you along. I ignore it all because an invisible rope is hooked at the center of my chest, pulling me this way and that until it brings me here.

  To the weapon room.

  “You shouldn’t be up,” Zoltan repeats, much closer to my back than before.

  “I shouldn’t be many things, yet here we are.” Answering him distractedly, my gaze roams the swords, arrows, and mace hanging on the wall.

  “Fenrir is not with you.” His deep voice vibrates through me, raising gooseflesh along my arms, tightening my belly.

  “Last time I checked, we were not connected by a belly cord.” Giving him a fast glance over my shoulder, I don’t allow my gaze to linger long on the temptation that is Zoltan. “He was fast asleep when I saw him…I’m not sure how long ago was that.”

  “You feel better, I take it?” The words sound conversational, but I feel his intent stare like probing fingers inside my head.

  My energy surges through me, and to my bewilderment, it thrums in my chest like a purring cat. What the fuck is up with that? Pushing the uneasiness aside, I pretend that I’m giving his question serious thought. Nothing to see here, folks. No one is freaking out or out of their mind.

  “I don’t feel like my head is about to split open, or like I wish I would die.” Shrugging a shoulder, I move slightly away from him, acting as if one of the weapons has my full attention.

  It doesn’t.

  All my instincts and awareness have zeroed in on him. I only recently met Zoltan, but I have no doubt that he sucks up the attention as well as the oxygen in any place that he graces with his presence. I know he is a pure blood vampire. There is no mistaking his breed even if you are a fool. How old and how powerful he is, that’s a totally different story. If I am to guess, I’ll say fucking old. Like ancient. Old enough to match the magic of this place. Him being a Daywalker; Is that amping up his power that is blasting out of him in waves? Probably, but I can tell he has tight control over it.

  “That is good to know.” His chuckle sends butterflies into a frenzy in my lower belly.

  “Don’t you have more important things to do?” Clenching my fists, I dig my nails into my skin in hopes of stopping myself from turning around and kissing him like a deprived person.

  It’s this damn place messing me up. I know it! No matter what I tell myself, the fact is, Zoltan is a temptation I must resist and avoid at all costs. Only if my body obeys me and my feet move in the opposite direction of him. Which isn’t working when I stay rooted to the spot.

  “You need an escort to roam the academy.” My palms itch to slap the amusement out of his voice. “I see no one here, so I need to keep an eye on you.”

  “I should’ve known you are an errand boy around here.” Maybe if I insult him enough, he will go away. It’s a suicidal plan, but a plan, nonetheless.

  “Exactly.” My head snaps in his direction at that word, and he smirks at me. “An errand boy at your service, Francesca Drake.” Hearing my full name spoken in his deep voice with that slight accent of his, has never sounded that good. The added wink is totally unnecessary, although it has the intended effect of weakening my knees. I get his point loud and clear. There is no way I’ll get rid of him.

  “I’m not sure Fenrir will appreciate it.” Remembering the demon’s reaction, I give it a last-ditch effort. “Fae are finicky when it comes to mates.” The word “mates” raises bile in the back of my throat.

  “Yes, the Fae are.” My heart stops at the look he gives me. Numbness spreads from the back of my skull through my limbs.

  Zoltan knows.

  He knows I’m half blood, and that look tells me I better play along, or death will be knocking on my door a lot sooner than I think. My fight or flight instinct rears up, my body poising to either battle or bolt in the blink of an eye. He renders me useless by reaching a hand and wrapping his long fingers around my shoulder. All the adrenaline drains from me, and I stare at him like a lamb with a wolf’s clamped jaw around its neck.

  “What do you want, Zoltan
?” I hate that I sound scared and timid, but all sorts of scenarios are playing out in my head right now.

  “Only to assure the guests in my home are well taken care of.” I feel his hand on my shoulder, spreading warmth through me like a brand.

  “Your home?”

  “Yes.” He keeps looking at me, those blue eyes darkening the longer I hold his gaze. “Come.” Turning away, he doesn’t release me. “I think I can show you something that will help you see that this place is not as bad as your first impression of it. You just had bad timing.”

  “The story of my life.” Murmuring under my breath, I follow him while trepidation churns in my stomach.

  “How so?”

  “What?” Frowning, I watch his dark eyebrow arch like an arrow pointing up.

  “What exactly is the story of your life?” Moving his hand from my shoulder to the small of my back, he guides me out of the weapons room.

  I didn’t think I spoke loud enough, but he obviously heard me.

  Chewing on the inside of my mouth, I wait until we pass two large men dressed in all black tactical gear. With a startled widening of their eyes, their spines straighten when they see Zoltan, who nods at them distractedly while keeping his eyes on me. Who the hell is this guy? A plain black t-shirt and dark jeans hug his torso and muscular thighs, not indicating that he has any authority here. Even the wolf that met me at the gate looked more dressed up than Zoltan.

  Unless…

  Did he do this intentionally in hopes of putting me more at ease? But to what end? If he is not aware of why I’m here, he has no reason to doubt that I am really a mate to Fenrir. He might not like me being here, but that hardly calls for all the charades and following my every step. Realizing that I still haven’t answered his question, I glance at him sideways.

  “Bad timing.” Waving a hand like I’m swatting a fly, I sigh. “It seems like it’s my specialty, to pick the worst timing for everything.”

  Nodding as if that makes sense to him, he keeps leisurely striding, pulling me along with him. I find everything around the vast space fascinating, doing my best to ignore the man next to me. When that doesn’t help, I figure small talk is a good alternative.

  “Where did you say we are going?” Avoiding the curious gazes of those we pass, I keep my eyes trained on the paintings and portraits on the walls.

  “It’s a surprise.” There is humor in his voice. “If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you.”

  A tremor rakes my body at those words, making the sound of the blood rushing through my veins buzz in my ears. Was that just a joke or a subtle hint of what’s coming? Even with that gut feeling, I can’t walk away from him. It’s almost like someone else has taken control of my body. A particular portrait catches my eye, the aristocratic face pulling on my subconscious like I should know who it is. My feet are already moving faster, and I crane my neck to look at it for a second longer.

  “What type of Fae did you say you were?” Zoltan’s question snaps me out of it.

  “I didn’t.” My words are like sandpaper.

  Throwing his head back, Zoltan laughs. His shoulders and chest shake from the volume of his voice, and I stumble over my own feet while I watch him, mesmerized. He is too beautiful to watch, and I want to scratch his eyes out for making me feel like an adolescent instead of doing my job. When he stops laughing at my expense, the permanent smirk returns to his face.

  “I would take a wild guess and say you’re from the Unseelie court.” Giving me a once over that sends my whole body tingling as if he physically touched me everywhere, Zoltan tilts his head. “You are too prickly to be one of the light Fae.”

  “What is it with everyone pointing out that I’m prickly the last few days?” Glaring at him, I start walking even faster. Not that I know where I’m going, but anywhere is better than here. “And not that it’s any of your business, but I’m from the Courtless Fae.”

  Zoltan stops abruptly, his fingers grabbing my jacket and stopping me along with him. Yanking me closer, he gets in my face, his breath fanning my lips. My heart skips a beat from his nearness.

  “Keep that to yourself, and never say it out loud here again.” Hissing at me, he looks so stern that it takes me a moment to react. When I’m able to think, I shove him away with all my strength.

  He doesn’t move an inch.

  “Get out of my fucking face, Zoltan.” He is standing so close that my chest is touching his with each fast breath I take. “You asked, and I answered. Go take your fucked-up personality somewhere else.”

  Those intense blue eyes drop to my lips, and dizziness makes my body sway towards him. His breathing speeds up slightly as well, and I know the exact moment when he throws caution to the wind and decides to kiss me. I’m not even breathing, dreading it, and wanting it to happen, unlike anything I have ever wanted. His head lowers, the tip of his nose grazing mine. My eyes close on their own accord while I wait to feel his full lips on mine.

  “Francesca! There you are!” Fenrir’s voice makes us jump away from each other.

  Chapter 13

  What the hell were you thinking? internally yelling at myself, I watch Fenrir stride towards us, displeasure written all over his face. You and me both, buddy. I wish I can say it out loud. Subtly wiping my sweaty palms on my thighs, I lift my chin defiantly. No doubt he will have a lot to say about what happened in his room. I have no intention whatsoever to explain myself to him. He should know what can happen when you offer your neck to a predator.

  “Zoltan.” Fenrir stops between us, looking down his nose at the other man. It’s quite impressive, I must say, given they are both the same height.

  “Fenrir.” Zoltan smirks, irking me to no end. I have no doubt he knew Fenrir was near when he pulled that stunt. I would’ve known too if I wasn’t so messed up when Zoltan was around me.

  “Franky.” Pointing the finger at my chest, I blink innocently when they both look at me like I’ve grown another head. “What? I thought we are saying our names out loud, given we all know each other.”

  “Is she always like this?” Zoltan’s question is for the Fae, but he doesn’t look away from me.

  “I would take a wild guess and say yes.” Fenrir frowns slightly as if judging my sanity.

  “You don’t know your own mate, Fae?” The glee in Zoltan’s voice makes me want to slap him so hard that his pretty head will be spinning for days.

  “Not as good as I thought I did, obviously.” Fenrir lies smoothly, not missing a beat. “You should’ve waited for me. You can’t walk around without an escort.”

  Moving slightly, he positions his body in a way that tells me he is ready to protect me if Zoltan is to pounce. Which is stupid, right? The vampire is standing relaxed, his hands in the pockets of his jeans and his blue eyes flicking from me to Fenrir as if he expects something to happen. I’m tired of the crazy with these two. Bumping into Fenrir’s side, I move away from both of them, heading in the direction we were going before Zoltan had his nutty persona take over.

  “Both of you stay away from me.” Throwing the words over my shoulder, I move purposely down the open space. “I’ve had enough from both of you for one day.”

  The high ceilings stretch out way above my head. Colorful tiles cover the floors, creating scenes and patterns that are difficult to see when you are standing on them, but no doubt will form a beautiful picture if you look down from the extending railings on the upper floor. If I can’t get rid of the two annoying men, I might just do that. Climb up and stare at it until they get bored enough and leave.

  People walk around in a rush, some of them carrying piles of books in their hands, others clutching weapons like their lives depend on it. They all give me glances, some curious and others wary, even hostile. Sporting black shirts and pants, a golden emblem adorns the left side of their chest, and all of them match. Men and women alike move with one direction in mind, like they know where they need to be.

  Unlike me.

  Well, I know where I wan
t to be, but that’s not an option right now. I will rather be outside the gates instead, far away from all of this. Or at least in the place the Academy keeps their records, so I can get what I need and bolt out of here so fast they’ll only see clouds of smoke from my heels. I’ve never gotten what I wish for in my life. I’m sure it won’t be happening now, either.

  “Where are you going?” Fenrir falls in step with me, his shoulders stiff and his head straight.

  “It doesn’t matter.” Giving him a glance, I keep walking. “As long as you’re not there.”

  “You haven’t rested after what happened.” The Fae does not get the hint to leave me alone. “I will take you around later to see more of the building. I’m not sure how you are even standing on your feet.”

  “Aww, how nice of you to care, Fenrir.” My voice is flat, and a muscle jumps in his jaw. “You’ll melt me into a puddle from the sweetness.”

  “Is all just a big joke to you, Francesca.” Hissing, he grabs me by the arm and drags me into one of the alcoves under the wide stairway leading to the second floor on our left. “Are you trying to get yourself killed, or worse?”

  “Stop. Touching. Me.” Pushing the words through clenched teeth, I yank my arm out of his grasp. “I don’t want to be here anymore than you want me here. So excuse me if I do my best to find what I’m looking for and go back where I belong.”

  “You can’t enter the archives without my help.” His head turns this way and that, making sure no one is around to hear us. “What you will do by flaunting your presence here is get both of us killed.”

  “You expect me to sit in your room until you are ready to take me out like some pet?” Ignoring the shivers that his words created, I keep glaring at him. “It’s not going to happen, Fenrir.”

  “Roberti promised that you’ll follow my lead. Seeking Zoltan out is against everything you’re here to do.”

  “Seeking…” Snorting a humorless laugh, I shake my head. “I seek no one, you idiot. He found me, and I couldn’t shake him off.”