“I suspect she thought she could control and manipulate him, too. They are both very, very good at

that.” A shadow crossed his perfectly proportioned face. “Though he has somewhat more practice.

Please, Dru. Come see the Council. Soothe their fears.”

Just who the hell is going to soothe mine? But I shrugged. “Okay.”

After all, he was the one I was trusting now. Right?

But I didn’t take my bag off, and he didn’t ask even though I saw him looking at it. I wasn’t sure

how this thing with the Council was going to go. But I knew I wanted my cash and my emergency

stuff with me.

Really, if no place was safe and I wanted to find Graves, why stay here? Why stay anywhere?

The only answer I could come up with to that question was heading across the room. He checked

the hall, then nodded. I followed him.

The Schola Prima felt empty, but I knew better. I couldn’t tell who was watching as I followed

Christophe through the halls.

He paused in front of the door with the carving of a leering face. “Dru . . .”

“What?” I put my hand down, away from my mother’s locket, with an effort.

“I just want you to know something.” He indicated the door with a brief sketch of a movement, but

said nothing else.

“What?” I repeated nervously. The hall looked just the same as it always did. Velvet, old wood,

marble busts. It really wasn’t the kind of place I belonged. I shifted my weight, and the funny idea

that the bruises might change their mind and come back floated through my head for the twentieth

time.

“Whatever happens in here, whatever they offer me, my loyalty is to you. Don’t doubt that.” His

chin tipped down slightly, the aspect brushing over him, slicking his hair down and making his eyes

glow.

I swallowed hard again. “That loyalty thing . . . isn’t that Anna’s thing?”

He cocked his head. “Loyalty’s all we have. The nosferatu have used us against each other many

times. Anna isn’t the first to turn traitor. She won’t be the last, either.”

“That’s really comforting, Christophe.” I didn’t mean to sound snide. “Let’s get this over with. I

want to look for Graves.”

He looked about to say something else, but visibly decided not to bother and pushed the door open.

I wiped my sweating hands on my hoodie surreptitiously and hoped this wouldn’t take too long.

Jealousy

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Four old djamphir standing to attention. The chair at the head of the table was empty. Alton, Ezra,

Bruce, Hiro, all stood ranged in front of the table like a firing squad. There was no breakfast laid out

this time.

Christophe closed the door. I folded my arms self-consciously, trying not to wonder if any of them