Page 56 of Havenfall Harbor
I reach for the tongs and grab a small bit of greens for a salad. When I reach the meat station, I go with thinly sliced beef in a dark gravy and mashed potatoes, followed by some green beans and a roll. Evan is right behind me, and his plate is much fuller than mine, as is Riley’s and Jacob’s. “Where are we sitting?” I look around and don’t immediately see an open table.
“There.” Evan lifts his tray and motions to the left. I bob my head and discover an empty grouping of chairs, being tall certainly has its advantages.
Once seated, I find myself looking around a lot more than I do when I’m on the staff side. There’s something easier about knowing most of these kids aren’t paying me a bit of attention. Many of them are too absorbed in their food or friends to worry about anything else.
The similarities of this lunchroom and my high school cafeteria are there, like the defined lines between a few of the tables. Age seems to play a factor in this, but I’m wondering what else does. Is it popularity, like at home, or does it have more to do with species, or even power levels?
Dinner goes smoothly, and before long Evan and I are excusing ourselves from the siblings. I contemplate finding Alice, but I know the thing with her and Wes is still new. I don’t want to be a bother and ask her to let me stay at her place, I don’t even know if she would be comfortable with that. Plus, Wes might already be staying over, or her over at his place.
“So,” Evan starts, as we exit the student wing. I peruse his profile. “Griffin didn’t tell you he was the director?” He twists his lips a bit.
I sigh and return my gaze forward. “No, hepurposefullydidn’t tell me, even when I mentioned speaking to the director. I mean, why would he do that?” Our steps are rather slow, maybe it’s because we both just ate, or maybe it’s because I’m stalling and Evan is kind enough to keep pace with me.
“I can honestly say I don’t think he did it to piss you off.” I chuckle at Evan’s words. He has no idea. I think Griffin likes pissing me off. “You don’t think he did, do you?”
“I’m not sure what to think. But I can tell you a few of ourmeetingswould have gone differently had I known he was my boss,” I tell him truthfully. I mean, I damn near kicked the man out of my office. I suck in a breath at the memory. Then I kind of gave him the business in the gym the day I asked for Evan’s help.
“Maybe that’s part of the reason, he wanted you to be yourself,” Evan muses.
“I would have been myself, maybe just a little more professional. If you hadn’t said something, how long would I have gone without knowing?” We reach the entrance to the staff housing.
Evan uses his keycard to open the door. Letty and the guy who warned me away from Wes—I can’t remember his name, but I know Alice mentioned it—are standing near the exit. Their heads turn to us as we enter. “Great,” I mutter under my breath. It’s clear Evan heard me though, because his gaze is drawn to me before it settles on the two people in front of us.
If the shit happening in my room didn’t seem so juvenile, Letty would be my number one suspect. I just can’t see her pulling such childish pranks though.
“Evening,” Evan greets them easily, and saunters over a little closer. Unsure of what to do, I amble behind him so I can tell him thank you and goodnight without just walking away.
Letty doesn’t look at me, but I know she sees me. My mind pictures her last night in the elevator, and then at Griffin’s door. Her attire is much more professional now, she’s in what I assume is her uniform—black fitted cargo pants, black button up shirt, also fitted, and heavy boots.
“Evan, we’re just going over the patrols for tonight,” the man informs him.
“Any issues?” Evan’s stance is relaxed, but I can see the stiffness of his shoulders.
“Found a couple kids trying to sneak out before dinner, nothing major.” Letty loops her thumbs into her pockets, and it drags the waistband of her pants down a bit.
“Shifters? Moon is waxing,” Evan replies like it’s nothing new.
“Most of them, there were a couple of older vamps too.” Letty finally lets her eyes fall on me. Her brows rise in question. It’s clear she’s asking what I’m doing with Evan.
“Thanks for taking me to see Jacob and Riley. I’ll see you later, Evan. Night.” I nod my head to the others.
“One second, Quinn, I’ll walk with you.” I hesitate at Evan’s words, a groan almost leaving my lips. Instead, I plaster a smile there. “Rand was having an issue up on the third floor. We might need to have an extra body up there a few times a month.”
The man crosses his arms over his chest. “Rand’s too concerned with being friendly.”
Evan shifts his body to face the man, it’s subtle, but I notice the change. “What does that mean, Bill?” Ah-ha, his name is Bill. No wonder I forgot it, he doesn’t look anything like a Bill or William.
“He’s too damn nice. He’s there to make sure they stay in line, not to have somekumbayamoment with them.” I can hear the disdain in Bill’s voice. Maybe it’s not just me this guy is an asshole to. Seems like he takes issue with everyone. Letty blows out a heavy breath at Bill’s comment.
“Half these kids don’t even know what genuine kindness from an elder looks like, Bill. Maybe you’re the one who needs some fuckingkumbaya.” Evan nearly growls the last part.
I take a few steps back, feeling like I’m intruding on a conversation not meant for my ears. Letty catches my movement and her lip curls in a sneer.
Ignoring her, I focus on Bill. He tilts his head to the side as his eyes lock on Evan. For a moment I’m worried for Evan. Bill isn’t a small man, his shoulders are wide, and his shirt is tight enough around his biceps to look uncomfortable and to show off his bulk. I end up taking a step closer to Evan, not even sure what’s driving me. It’s not like I could do anything to offer him protection, but I do it all the same.
Bill holds Evan’s stare for a moment until, with a slight snarl, he looks down at the ground. His stance shifts from combative to more submissive. Letty’s watching the entire thing nonplussed, as if it’s an everyday occurrence.
“There’s a security meeting scheduled tomorrow morning at five thirty. We can discuss our options for the third floor then.” Evan’s voice is clear, strong, but not angry like I would have thought. “Have a good night. I’ll see youbothin the morning.” To me, he adds, “Ready?”
