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.“There are simpler ways to get me to resign,” I told him, and enjoyed seeing the smile wiped from his face.He’d been the one who’d ensured I was on the safest pole, that I’d have to forfeit in order to protect someone else from being burned.I guess it was a compliment that he thought I’d sacrifice myself.and that he thought me dangerous enough that he’d rather leave the House without a Sentinel than leave me in that position.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”“I doubt that,” I said, “but that’s between you and your conscience.” I hurried toward Malik, who now stood in the doorway of the House, ensuring everyone made it inside safely.Frank was the last one inside, and he made it in just as the sun filled the backyard with light.Thankfully, the House’s shutters were already down.I stood inside the cool, quiet of the kitchen for a moment with my eyes closed, savoring the darkness.When I opened my eyes, Malik was the only vampire in sight.“I’m sorry,” I told him.“It may not have been the right thing to do for the House—to forfeit my position—but I couldn’t just stand there and let her take it.”“It was the only right thing to do,” he assured.“That said, with Cabot here.”He didn’t need to finish the point.I couldn’t stand Sentinel as long as Frank—and the GP—had control of the House.Oh, how things had changed.In a few short months, Ethan had lost his life and a new Master had been installed.And summarily replaced.The Ombud’s office had been dismantled.I’d been stripped of my identity as a Sentinel.But just as there’d been no choice those months ago when Ethan had named me to the position in the first place, there was no choice now but to accept the change and deal with it with as much grace as possible.Even if I acted alone, I would act with bravery.A Sentinel in heart and mind, even if not officially.I nodded.“I understand.”“Ethan would have been proud of you today, Merit.I am proud of you today, as are the other vampires of this House.You played Cabot’s game the only respectable way it could have been played, even if the outcome was predetermined.”“The result’s the same, though.The House is left without a Sentinel.”Malik smiled slyly.“The forfeit extended only to your current position.You cannot stand Sentinel, at least not for the time being.But he placed no restrictions on your service as a guard.”Although exhaustion was beginning to wear me down, I managed a smile.“Very creative, Liege.”“I have my moments.”I hobbled back to my room, nearly wiped unconscious by the sun, and into the cool, crisp sheets and comforting dark that awaited me there.I wasn’t too exhausted to cry when my head hit the pillow, pent up rage and frustration and grief escaping now that I’d managed to finish the testing.Grief, because in the matter of an evening I’d lost my connections to Ethan and the House: the bond that we’d shared when he named me Sentinel and the medal I’d worn as a symbol of my oaths.I’d still stand guard for the House, and there was no denying the importance of that role.But it felt like another little bit of Ethan had been torn away.And that hurt as much as anything else.CHAPTER SIXTEENA HOUSE DIVIDEDI woke up from a thankfully dreamless sleep in the same dark mood I’d been in when I’d fallen unconscious some hours ago.I considered playing sick and hiding in bed under the covers all day, but that wasn’t going to solve my problems or the city’s.When I was up and showered, I also considered calling Mallory.I had no doubt she was stressed about exams, but I wasn’t sure if letting her hermit while she studied was the best thing to do.On the other hand, she specifically told me not to bother her until she was done with exams.That still stung.Sure, it wasn’t the first time we’d had a disagreement.There’d been a boy she dated who I’d thought was obnoxious, and she tended to give my parents more credit than I did.We’d grown apart when I’d been made a vampire and hadn’t adjusted gracefully to my new life.Her apprenticeship training in Schaumburg hadn’t done much for our social schedule.But we’d always managed to get through.I could only hope this time was no different, that even with magic and exams between us, we’d manage to find each other again.After tossing the phone in my hands for a few minutes, I decided not to call.If she really needed space, I’d give it to her.God knows she’d have done the same thing for me.But while she could avoid me, Catcher couldn’t.I dialed up his cell phone and caught him in the car.“On the way to your grandfather’s house,” he said.“Still officing unofficially?”“Unless we hear something different from the city, which seems extraordinarily unlikely, ‘unofficial’ is our permanent gig.Unfortunately,” he added as a horn honked in the background, “traffic to your grandfather’s is much worse than to the office.It takes me twice as long to get there.”“Isn’t there an El stop by his house?”“I prefer my car,” he flatly said.“What’s happening at Cadogan House tonight?”“Well, due to unfortunate events, I’m no longer standing Sentinel.” I filled him in on Frank’s quality testing and my forced failure.“Classy,” he said.“Makes Darius West look like a total peach.” “I wouldn’t go quite that far, but you’ve got something there.Have you had a chance to talk to Simon?”“I have.He’s as mystified as we are.He says he’s heard nothing about the Maleficium and that it’s safe and sound in Nebraska.Out of an abundance of caution, the Order’s established a committee to look into things, and they’re on their way.He also thinks Tate’s bluffing, and he put some stock into your lemon and sugar theory.He says the new ‘forensic magic’ recognizes trace magical evidence like odor.”Catcher’s tone screamed “sarcastic,” but there was also a hint of “jealous” in there.Catcher hadn’t been a member of the Order for some time, so it stood to reason he wouldn’t be up to date on all the latest information and techniques.He clearly had unresolved issues about the Order.Maybe buried beneath his irritation that Mallory was learning about magic from Simon was a little magical jealousy.“How long until Mal’s done with exams?”“Couple of days, but the schedule is fluid.Simon’s apparently trying to keep her on her toes.Listen, I’m just pulling into the driveway.I’ll call you if there’s news.”“Appreciate it,” I said, and he hung up.I had no doubt I’d hear from him again.If I’d learned anything in my months as a vampire, it was that drama was in unlimited supply.I found a stack of library books outside my door again, all referencing unexplained historical events.The librarian seemed to think Amelia Earhart’s disappearance and the Bermuda Triangle were related to our sky and water problems.I was sitting on the floor, waist-deep in magical conspiracy theories, when my phone rang.Saved by the bell, I thought, and pulled it out.When I saw Jonah’s number on the screen, I popped it open.“Hi,” I carefully said, not sure of his mood since we hadn’t spoken since the kiss—and nervous that he was calling to relay another crisis.I really could use a break.“What are you doing?” he asked.“Reading.What are you doing?”“I’m at Benson’s.Get your ass down here and buy me a drink.”Benson’s was the Grey House bar, located across the street from Wrigley Field.“I’m not going to buy you a drink.”“I’m pretty sure I remember you owing me a drink [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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.“There are simpler ways to get me to resign,” I told him, and enjoyed seeing the smile wiped from his face.He’d been the one who’d ensured I was on the safest pole, that I’d have to forfeit in order to protect someone else from being burned.I guess it was a compliment that he thought I’d sacrifice myself.and that he thought me dangerous enough that he’d rather leave the House without a Sentinel than leave me in that position.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”“I doubt that,” I said, “but that’s between you and your conscience.” I hurried toward Malik, who now stood in the doorway of the House, ensuring everyone made it inside safely.Frank was the last one inside, and he made it in just as the sun filled the backyard with light.Thankfully, the House’s shutters were already down.I stood inside the cool, quiet of the kitchen for a moment with my eyes closed, savoring the darkness.When I opened my eyes, Malik was the only vampire in sight.“I’m sorry,” I told him.“It may not have been the right thing to do for the House—to forfeit my position—but I couldn’t just stand there and let her take it.”“It was the only right thing to do,” he assured.“That said, with Cabot here.”He didn’t need to finish the point.I couldn’t stand Sentinel as long as Frank—and the GP—had control of the House.Oh, how things had changed.In a few short months, Ethan had lost his life and a new Master had been installed.And summarily replaced.The Ombud’s office had been dismantled.I’d been stripped of my identity as a Sentinel.But just as there’d been no choice those months ago when Ethan had named me to the position in the first place, there was no choice now but to accept the change and deal with it with as much grace as possible.Even if I acted alone, I would act with bravery.A Sentinel in heart and mind, even if not officially.I nodded.“I understand.”“Ethan would have been proud of you today, Merit.I am proud of you today, as are the other vampires of this House.You played Cabot’s game the only respectable way it could have been played, even if the outcome was predetermined.”“The result’s the same, though.The House is left without a Sentinel.”Malik smiled slyly.“The forfeit extended only to your current position.You cannot stand Sentinel, at least not for the time being.But he placed no restrictions on your service as a guard.”Although exhaustion was beginning to wear me down, I managed a smile.“Very creative, Liege.”“I have my moments.”I hobbled back to my room, nearly wiped unconscious by the sun, and into the cool, crisp sheets and comforting dark that awaited me there.I wasn’t too exhausted to cry when my head hit the pillow, pent up rage and frustration and grief escaping now that I’d managed to finish the testing.Grief, because in the matter of an evening I’d lost my connections to Ethan and the House: the bond that we’d shared when he named me Sentinel and the medal I’d worn as a symbol of my oaths.I’d still stand guard for the House, and there was no denying the importance of that role.But it felt like another little bit of Ethan had been torn away.And that hurt as much as anything else.CHAPTER SIXTEENA HOUSE DIVIDEDI woke up from a thankfully dreamless sleep in the same dark mood I’d been in when I’d fallen unconscious some hours ago.I considered playing sick and hiding in bed under the covers all day, but that wasn’t going to solve my problems or the city’s.When I was up and showered, I also considered calling Mallory.I had no doubt she was stressed about exams, but I wasn’t sure if letting her hermit while she studied was the best thing to do.On the other hand, she specifically told me not to bother her until she was done with exams.That still stung.Sure, it wasn’t the first time we’d had a disagreement.There’d been a boy she dated who I’d thought was obnoxious, and she tended to give my parents more credit than I did.We’d grown apart when I’d been made a vampire and hadn’t adjusted gracefully to my new life.Her apprenticeship training in Schaumburg hadn’t done much for our social schedule.But we’d always managed to get through.I could only hope this time was no different, that even with magic and exams between us, we’d manage to find each other again.After tossing the phone in my hands for a few minutes, I decided not to call.If she really needed space, I’d give it to her.God knows she’d have done the same thing for me.But while she could avoid me, Catcher couldn’t.I dialed up his cell phone and caught him in the car.“On the way to your grandfather’s house,” he said.“Still officing unofficially?”“Unless we hear something different from the city, which seems extraordinarily unlikely, ‘unofficial’ is our permanent gig.Unfortunately,” he added as a horn honked in the background, “traffic to your grandfather’s is much worse than to the office.It takes me twice as long to get there.”“Isn’t there an El stop by his house?”“I prefer my car,” he flatly said.“What’s happening at Cadogan House tonight?”“Well, due to unfortunate events, I’m no longer standing Sentinel.” I filled him in on Frank’s quality testing and my forced failure.“Classy,” he said.“Makes Darius West look like a total peach.” “I wouldn’t go quite that far, but you’ve got something there.Have you had a chance to talk to Simon?”“I have.He’s as mystified as we are.He says he’s heard nothing about the Maleficium and that it’s safe and sound in Nebraska.Out of an abundance of caution, the Order’s established a committee to look into things, and they’re on their way.He also thinks Tate’s bluffing, and he put some stock into your lemon and sugar theory.He says the new ‘forensic magic’ recognizes trace magical evidence like odor.”Catcher’s tone screamed “sarcastic,” but there was also a hint of “jealous” in there.Catcher hadn’t been a member of the Order for some time, so it stood to reason he wouldn’t be up to date on all the latest information and techniques.He clearly had unresolved issues about the Order.Maybe buried beneath his irritation that Mallory was learning about magic from Simon was a little magical jealousy.“How long until Mal’s done with exams?”“Couple of days, but the schedule is fluid.Simon’s apparently trying to keep her on her toes.Listen, I’m just pulling into the driveway.I’ll call you if there’s news.”“Appreciate it,” I said, and he hung up.I had no doubt I’d hear from him again.If I’d learned anything in my months as a vampire, it was that drama was in unlimited supply.I found a stack of library books outside my door again, all referencing unexplained historical events.The librarian seemed to think Amelia Earhart’s disappearance and the Bermuda Triangle were related to our sky and water problems.I was sitting on the floor, waist-deep in magical conspiracy theories, when my phone rang.Saved by the bell, I thought, and pulled it out.When I saw Jonah’s number on the screen, I popped it open.“Hi,” I carefully said, not sure of his mood since we hadn’t spoken since the kiss—and nervous that he was calling to relay another crisis.I really could use a break.“What are you doing?” he asked.“Reading.What are you doing?”“I’m at Benson’s.Get your ass down here and buy me a drink.”Benson’s was the Grey House bar, located across the street from Wrigley Field.“I’m not going to buy you a drink.”“I’m pretty sure I remember you owing me a drink [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]