Page 19 of Ever Dark Academy: Volume 6

“Grayson, she’ll be in danger!” his father cried.

“Yeah, yeah, she will. But she’ll be in danger no matter what,” Grayson told him. He stepped towards his father. “Just like you’ve been by staying here with me. But you wanted to stay. If she wants to do this–”

“Of course, she will!” His father shook his head. “To help you if for no other reason!”

“I know. And I’ll make clear that she doesn’t have to because of that,” he assured his father.

His father lifted an eyebrow. “Do you really think she’ll believe you? And will you really mean it?”

Grayson stepped back, surprised at his father’s words. “I…”

“Son, I know how angry you’ve been,” his father said. “I understand why, but–”

“I know it’s not her fault what happened. But she did let him in,” Grayson said tightly. “And there are consequences to that.”

Consequences we both paid for. Her and I. But me most of all.

“She didn’t want to be alone anymore and she hoped that he would be a good role model for you,” his father pleaded. “She waited a long time after I died.”

“I know.” Grayson shook his head. “I know. But it doesn’t change the fact that if Roan has an interest in her now that interest won’t go away simply by bringing her here. Until all the Roans are gone, she’s in danger. We’re all in danger. So if she can help end that danger, shouldn’t I give her a chance to do so?”

“Will that make up for what happened with your stepfather?” his father asked. “Will you forgive her if she does this?”

Grayson was sticking out his chin again. “She made a mistake. It’s done and over. Hardly a blip on my radar. She’s only human after all.”

“Grayson, please listen–”

“Fiona, bring my mother here,” Grayson said as he turned his back on his father. “We need to get her briefed on the plan. If she wants to be a part of it.”

And if she doesn’t? Well, then we’ll see where that leaves us.

Going Home Again

“Charlie?!” Ryder blinked as the Mirryr Vampire walked up beside him.

Both of them were heading in the same direction, which was towards the Kaly “party”. Balthazar had told him he should veer to the right just before the news platform to find the clearing where everyone was waiting for him. He was anxious to get to Grayson. After Balthazar had explained what was going on with Grayson’s mother, he knew–despite all of Grayson’s claims to the contrary–that his beloved was going to be a mess at the very least.

Grayson really shouldn’t be traveling to Earth right now, Ryder had said to the Eyros Vampire. But I doubt you can stop him so I’m going too.

He’s actually agreed to stay here. Reluctantly, Balthazar told him. Though it’s a near thing. He keeps going back and forth.

That’s a surprise he’d even consider it.

And it truly was. He knew that Grayson would want to insure his mother’s safety and what better way than to do it himself? Human or not, his lover was incredibly powerful. But Grayson was trying to delegate a bit more. And perhaps he knew his growing weakness made his mother less safe rather than the opposite with him. But Grayson was also bullheaded.

Even when emotionally compromised, Ashyr still has some sense, Balthazar answered.

Emotionally compromised? Ryder’s eyebrows crawled upwards. But then he realized he was talking to Balthazar. And there were no real secrets from Eyros. So you’ve noticed it, too? Or did you just look into his head? Ryder asked the last dryly.

I resent that implication! Balthazar retorted, but then with a mental sigh confessed, All right, I could have looked, but I didn’t have to. He’s unable to hide it. I don’t think he’s dealing with things very well right now.

Ryder had tried to gently push Grayson towards accepting that this life was affecting him far more than he was claiming that it was. But Grayson had figuratively put his ears back each time. Ashyr wanted to shed the Grayson persona and simply be Ashyr again as if he had never died and been reborn, as if there had never been this life at all. But things didn’t work that way.

I wondered when this would happen, Ryder admitted.

Yes, it has been leading up to this. Hopefully, there’s a happy ending, but… We shall see.

Balthazar sounded uncertain, but was it because he thought Grayson’s mother was truly in danger or, even if she was safe from Roan, that Grayson was in danger from her?