“All right, fine. If you truly believe she’s up to no good, what is her motivation?”
Des settled back against his pillow, thinking. Could thesomniathat had trailed Aurelie be linked to the tall man and his thrall? He didn’t see how. Not yet, anyway. “I have no idea. But I do think something about her is attracting demons. Why would that be?”
Daisy bopped him on the nose and climbed off his bunk. “Now you’re asking the right questions,” she said, and left him twice as confused as before.
As Des cleaned his sword on Monday morning, resigned to spending another wasted day watching the gates of Wisteria University, Commander Yew entered the barracks.
Everyone snapped to attention, clearly unprepared for this unexpected visit. It was their day off, after all. Most of the guards were lounging on their bunks reading or playing cards, and Des heard more than one person groan as they rose, likely hung over from staying up late drinking the night before.
“At ease,” Yew said. “I’m here for an update. Don’t panic. You’ll still get your day off.” His mouth curled in a wry grin. “But there were reports of threeveritalast week in the kingdom, three times as many as usual. Starting tomorrow, we’ll be extending shifts by one hour to ensure every area of the city is covered.”
No one had the audacity to complain, but Des heard more than a few sighs.
“Whitlow,” Yew said. “Come with me.”
Des followed Yew to his office and waited for the man to settle at his desk.
“I’m assembling a new unit,” he said. “The increase inveritaattacks has King Gabor and his court on edge. To that end, they’ve asked me to assemble my best guards. I want you to be part of that unit, Whitlow.”
Then it wasn’t his imagination. There was something strange going on with demons. But the Iron Guard operated almost independently of the monarchy, and it was unusual for the king to interfere this way. Des found himself at a loss for words. “I don’t know what to say, sir.”
“Say thank you.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m honored.”
“Good. Part of your new responsibilities will be to investigateattacks throughout the kingdom. For now, you’ll stay close to Wisteria City, but whenever possible, I want the creators of theseveritacaptured alive and brought to me.”
“What about theverita?”
Commander Yew arched a brow.
“Should we bring them in alive as well, sir? I feel we could learn far more by studying a living demon—”
“Absolutely not. It’s far too dangerous to even attempt something so foolish. You are to kill the demon, as is our founding objective since the days of King Aciano. Do I need to add a history refresher course to your schedule, Whitlow?”
Des’s cheeks heated. “No, sir. I’m sorry, sir.”
After a moment, Commander Yew continued. “You’ll begin training as soon as Dr. Blake returns to the university.”
Des struggled not to show his disappointment. He had no idea when Dr. Blake would be back, and in the meantime, other guards would be investigating casesheshould be on. But he’d clearly pushed Yew’s limits enough for one day. “Yes, sir.”
“It will mean no more days off, but I don’t believe I’ve seen you rest since the day you were brought here.”
Des lowered his gaze. “It’s not in my nature, sir.”
“No, I suppose not. Go on. I want a full report of Aurelie Blake’s comings and goings. If she leaves campus, follow her from a distance. I don’t believe any more face-to-face interactions are required, even if she is a lovely young woman.”
“Sir, that’s not—”
“Dismissed, Whitlow.”
Des caught a ghost of a smile curling his commander’s lips before he turned to leave.
All the way to campus, he ignored Gareth, who peppered him with questions about the new unit, what Des thought of it, if he’d ever left the city before. He replied with grunts and nods, still ruminating over the fact that he couldn’t begin his new duties until Leopold Blake returned. What if it took days, or even weeks? He’d fall behind in his training, and for what?
They stood outside the campus gates for hours, watching other students come and go, but there was no sign of the Blake girl. What good was he doing, standing around here, when she had no reason to leave campus today?
“I’m going to talk to the guard,” Des told Gareth. “Keep an eye out for Miss Blake.”