6. Corvus

6

CORVUS

As I make my way down the tower stairs, my mind races with everything that's happened. Adelaide's transformation, the attack on MistHallow, Randall's betrayal - it's all spinning in my head, a chaotic whirlwind of unanswered questions and looming threats. Adelaide is in serious danger, and we have to make sure we can protect her at all costs.

The stone steps echo with my footsteps, each one a reminder of the gravity of our situation. Adelaide's face flashes in my mind - her confusion, her fear, her strength. She's been thrust into a world she barely understands, and yet she's facing it as well as can be expected.

I'm so lost in thought that I almost miss Zephyr waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs. His expression has a seriousness that sets me on edge.

"Corvus. We need to talk."

I nod, following him to a secluded corner of the courtyard. The scent of blood, scorched feathers, and magick lingers in the air, a reminder of the chaos we've just survived.

"What is it?"

Zephyr runs a hand through his dark hair, a rare sign of agitation from the usually composed Dark Fae prince. The shadows around him seem to writhe, responding to his emotions. "It's about Adelaide, and everyone else."

I feel my body tense, every muscle coiling tight. "What do you mean, everyone else?"

He meets my gaze squarely, his purple eyes almost glowing in the darkness. "Christos knows. About Adelaide being a Vesper."

The words hit me like a physical blow, knocking the unnecessary breath from my lungs. "Fuck," I growl, my fangs dropping instinctively. The beast inside me roars to life, demanding blood. "How?"

"I don't know," Zephyr admits, his frustration evident in the way the shadows dance around him. "But if he knows, we have to assume others do, too. Then this happened… the secret's out, Corvus."

The urge to hunt down Christos, to make him pay for endangering Adelaide, is almost overwhelming. "This complicates things," I manage to grit out.

"No shit," Zephyr snorts, a hint of his usual sarcasm breaking through. "But there's more. Christos made a move on Adelaide. While I was fucking sitting right next to her."

My head snaps up, fury blazing in my chest. The world around me turns red, my vision narrowing to a pinpoint. "What?" The word comes out as a snarl, more animal than vampire.

Zephyr holds up a hand and shakes his head. "Relax. I dealt with him. So did Adelaide, actually. You should've seen her. Kicked him right in the nuts."

Despite the seriousness of the situation, I feel a surge of pride. That's my girl. The image of Adelaide standing up to Christos, fierce and unafraid, brings a smirk to my face.

"Still," I growl, the anger not fully dissipating, "he came after her."

"While. I. Was. Sitting. Right. Next. To. Her," he grits out.

"What a dick. What did he think was going to happen, exactly?"

"Fuck knows, but probably not what did happen. But I made it clear what would happen if he came near her again. Let's just say, he'll be looking over his shoulder for a while. Especially as I intend to inform Dad about this."

I narrow my eyes. "Why would he care?"

"Why would he care…" Zephyr repeats in that annoying as fuck way he has when he's being a cryptic dick. "Because she is his future daughter-in-law, that's why."

"Oh really?" I snort. "And does she know this?"

"She heard me say it, plus, we have an understanding. She knows she is my princess. She has yet to formally declare me her prince, but it will happen."

I nod, not sure if I'm happy or angry about this archaic claiming. Not that I should talk. My parents will be extremely interested to know that I'm getting closer to Adelaide Black. That alone will perk their ears up, but the fact that she is unique will be like vamp-nip to them. However, this is good news. If MistHallow knows that Addy has been claimed by Zephyr, it should keep her out of trouble.

Should.

I don't hold out much hope. She seems to be the kind that attracts it without trying.

"But this doesn't solve our bigger problem, though. If people know about Adelaide..."

"She'll be a target," Zephyr finishes grimly. "We need those maps, and my father needs to know what happened here. The attack on MistHallow won't go unanswered. Even if it was Randall Black who ordered it."

I study him for a moment, taking in the set of his jaw, the determination in his eyes. But there's something else there, too, a flicker of uncertainty that he's trying to hide. "There's more, isn't there?"

Zephyr sighs, looking suddenly weary. The weight of his responsibilities as the Dark Fae prince seems to settle on him, ageing him beyond his years. "I hate going home. You know this."

"I do. Is that all?"

He holds my gaze for a while before he nods stiffly.

I have no choice but to believe him. I mean, I understand his concern. The politics of the Dark Fae are complex and brutal, a world of shadows and secrets that make the vampire politics look like child's play. I pity him, but I would never say that to his face. He would kick my arse from here into the next realm.

"Be careful," I say finally, reaching out to clap him on his shoulder. "Be quick, as well, yeah. Adelaide needs you. We all do."

Zephyr nods with a ghost of a smile. "Try not to let her drain you dry while I'm gone. And Corvus, watch her back. I don't like this one bit."

"Me either."

With that, he steps back, shadows swirling around him like a living cloak. In the blink of an eye, he's gone, leaving me alone in the courtyard, pissed off and hungry.

The aftermath of the attack is still evident in the damaged buildings and scattered debris. It's a stark reminder of how quickly our world can change, of how vulnerable we all are.

With a deep breath, I turn and head into the main building, to search for Blackthorn. We need that blood for Adelaide, and I have a few questions for our esteemed professor. He is being shady as fuck, and I dislike being lied to and told not to worry about shit that is a worry not just for me, but for all of us.

I find Blackthorn in his study, poring over an ancient book. The room is in shadows. The air is thick with the scent of old books and powerful magick. He looks up as I enter, his eyes sharp and knowing, as if he's been expecting me.

"Mr Sanguine," he says, closing the book with a soft thud. "I assume you're here about Miss Black's blood supply?"

I nod, stepping further into the room. The floorboards creak under my feet, the sound unnaturally loud in the quiet study. "Among other things."

Blackthorn sighs, rising from his chair. He moves to a cabinet in the corner, its dark wood gleaming in the low light. He pulls out a large flask, its surface etched with symbols I don't recognise. "This should last her a few days. But Corvus, you must understand - this isn't a long-term solution."

I take the flask, feeling the weight of it in my hands. It's heavier than it looks. "What do you mean?"

Blackthorn fixes me with a piercing stare, his eyes seeming to look right through me. "As I'm sure you're aware by now, Adelaide is unique. Her needs, her abilities, are beyond anything we've dealt with before. The blood in that flask will sustain her for now, but eventually, she'll need more. Much more."

A chill runs down my spine at his words, the implications settling in my gut like a lead weight. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying," Blackthorn says slowly, each word measured and deliberate, "that we're in uncharted territory. Adelaide's transformation is unprecedented. We don't know what she's truly capable of, or what she'll need to survive."

"So, you know." It's a statement, not a question.

Blackthorn nods. "That is what the ritual required. The blood of a Vesper. However, it wasn't foretold that the Vesper in question would rise a full vampire."

I frown as I take that in. "So, you think Randall Black doesn't know she's alive?"

He shakes his head.

"This isn't good."

"As you kids would say, no shit."

We share a smile, but it fades quickly. "I need to know what that portal opened up to."

"I know you do. But I can't tell you. Not yet. I need more information. Hearsay and misinformation will only fan the flames. You understand?"

"For now. I won't be sitting around waiting forever, Prof."

"Give me two days."

"That's a long time."

"Not in our world, Corvus."

Well, I can't argue with that. "She's in danger."

"I'm aware."

"Who is she to you?"

We lock gazes, and he swallows visibly. "Merely a student I'm sworn to protect under my oath as MistHallow's deputy headmaster."

"Don't believe you."

"That's not my problem."

"It better not be."

I stare at Blackthorn for a long moment, trying to read his impassive expression. There's more he's not telling me, but I know pushing him further right now won't get me anywhere.

"Fine," I say finally, tucking the flask of blood under my arm. "Two days. But if anything happens to Adelaide in that time?—"

"It won't," Blackthorn cuts me off. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an academy to put back together."

I nod curtly and turn to leave, but Blackthorn's voice stops me at the door.

"Corvus," he says, his tone softer now. "Be careful. All of you. The game has changed, and the stakes are higher than you realise."

It's only when I reach the door, I remember my other reason for coming. "Where were the senior staff, you excluded, when the Strix attacked?"

His eyes go hard for a second before they flood with anger. "What senior staff?" he asks ominously.

I tilt my head. "What do you mean?"

"Ellis, Jenkins, Tudhope… they're all gone. I'm all you've got along with whoever survived the Strix attack. That needs a headcount."

My blood runs even colder at that piece of information. "Gone as in dead, or gone as in left without a word?"

"The latter."

"Fuck."

"Indeed, Mr Sanguine, and I'll beg you to watch your language around your new headmaster."

"Congrats," I smirk, but it falls off my face quickly. "You know the board needs to hear about this."

"They will. I suspect your father will be… unamused."

"You could say that," I mutter, and with a grim expression, I sigh. "Great. Just fucking great."

If Zephyr thinks going back to face his dad is a shitty situation, my dad arriving here with his feathers ruffled is… well, let's just say, a Dragon manure sized situation.