Chapter Six

M uch had changed since the first time Zari Baltimore came to study at Academie Nu Exista . Unlike her former school, in which she had studied how to be an ideal pet within the walls of an old castle of eerie Gothic beauty, ANEX was instead a sprawling modern complex, and its teachers, rather than holding otherworlders in esteem, strongly eschewed non-human ties of any kind.

And of the otherworlders, there was nothing ANEX disliked more than demons. Even worse, recent events had only deepened the school's animosity towards the kingdom's most dominant race, and warding spells were now fortified by the hour.

In the past, the Duke of Brimstone and his Galeré were the only half-demons able to freely enter the premises. It was not the case now, hence the need for Zari to cut through an enormous amount of red tape (as well as enduring countless scowls along the way) before finally gaining permission to meet with the Marquis of Sangre just outside the school.

The clopping sounds of horse hooves had Zari quickly straightening, and she quickly dropped to a curtsy as soon as the marquis swung off his horse. "Good evening, milord."

A slight smile briefly softened the marquis' harsh features. "Good evening, Zari."

Her heart ached at how strongly he resembled his younger brother, and she could only manage a wobbly smile in return. She used to see him as frighteningly intimidating, but now she looked upon him as an older brother she could always trust and depend on. She knew him a little better now, too, enough to sense that the marquis was not yet ready to speak his thoughts.

And so she simply waited, her gaze politely turned away, while a chilly wind blew around them. The moon was high tonight, and through the silent darkness, she occasionally caught the sound of ghostly whispers coming from the woods where dead nymphs haunted. They were more restless now, those souls trapped in silvery trees, and their territory more dangerous than ever.

"I felt something a while ago."

The marquis spoke without warning, his abrupt voice cutting through her musings. It took a second for her to understand what he was truly saying, and when it did, Zari quickly spun around to face him, her heart now drumming frantically against her chest.

"Is it..." She swallowed hard. "Is it... him ?"

"He is the only other person, aside from the Galeré and Maricha, who can call out to me in such a way." Green eyes so like Alexandru's narrowed at her. "Have you sensed anything?"

Zari shook her head.

"You are certain?" he demanded.

"Yes," Zari whispered painfully.

Mihail's hopes died with that one word. It did not make sense for Alexandru to reach out to him while ignoring his own pet...and heartkeeper.

"It can still be him," Zari said unevenly. She was more than aware what was troubling the marquis, but she didn't give a damn. Taking a step towards Mihail, she touched his arm, intending to tell him that she believed with all her heart her Master still lived—-

A gasp broke out of her.

Mihail's body turned rigid with tension when he saw Zari shudder and start to sway. He knew right away that a vision of either the past or the future had come to her, and when she gasped anew and turned to him—-

It was now the eyes of a soul seer staring back at the marquis, and her gaze was full of sorrow.

Mihail whitened.

Even if she had yet to speak, he already knew.

Goddamn knew her vision had been of his pet—-

"Does someone mean her harm?" he grated out. "Tell me—-"

"It's not what you think," Zari said sadly. "Danger surrounds her, it is true, but the gravest threat to her, milord...is you. All I saw was that you meant well...but you'll still end up hurting her."