BLOOD WAR

chapter 3

3 A Problem of Power

Dedicated to HopelessHeartbk

The little things didn't add up. Dante had claimed

to be a student, yet his hands had been empty-no

backpack, no class schedule. And it was awfully

difficult to "wander" from the main campus to the

abandoned cabins, as one would have needed to

take several unmarked and unpaved paths. His

clothes hadn't been suitable for a soon-to-be

keeper. He'd been flirtatious and daring during the

conversation, when most people would have

avoided speaking to the Halfblood Bastard

altogethe.

Now, it seemed obvious that something about

Dante had been dubious. But Nika never would

have suspected this.

Jade had opened a keeper profile in the Vigil's

database. Dante's keeper profile, complete with

credentials, past field assignments, and all the

background information that the Vigil evaluated

before recruiting new members, including a

dinlanmn fvanm Vanrtantin A anda

credentials, past field assignments, and all the

background information that the Vigil evaluated

before recruiting new members, including a

diploma from Konstantin Academy. It was a

thorough review, authenticated by the signature of

the High Keeper.

Miles shook his head, saying, "This can't be right.

Why would Dante steal Konstantin's journal if he's

a keeper?"

"Simple," said Elliot, though he seemed more

interested in that platter of cookies in the faculty

lounge than what was displayed on the

headmaster's computer. "The Vigil wants to hide it

from the Ministry"

"Or maybe Ministers hired him to steal it for them,"

Miles countered, "so they can tear away every last

bit of freedom the Vigil owns."

Lu leaned her temple onto a fist and muttered,

"Here we go again.

Nika echoed the sentiment with a sharp breath,

preparing for the argument through which Elliot

and Miles danced at least once a week. The

political question that countless Daemonstri

across the continent debated.

Elliot tore his eyes from that cookie tray and

turned on Miles, his lush, coffee-colored curls

bouncing with the movement. "Ministers don't

want to steal the Vigil's freedom. They just think it

needs more organization and better

management."

Being a member of the Mirza family, it was no

surprise that Elliot romanticized the Ministry's

pursuits. His father was a Minister and a member

of the purist political faction, which advocated the

Ministry's complete rule over Daemonstri society

in North America.

The party's interests didn't end there. In general,

purists also favored a system of strict social rank,

in which members of the Serafi race-like Elliot

and Lu-maintained the highest position. The only

reasons being, a) Serafi were the most esteemed of

all Daemonstri, and b) their blood was untainted

by the traits of lesser races.

Miles scoffed. "They want to turn Nefili into foot

soldiers so they can wage war against Inferni. And

when the demons are gone, they"ll take over

human civilization, to0."

"As much as I love hearing you idiots debate," Jade

drawled, "we're getting off-topic." She tapped the

monitor, bringing everyone's attention back to

Dante's keeper profile.

"Is it possible that this isn't real?" Lu asked.

Jade shook her head. "The system can't be

hacked" She spoke with such nonchalance that

Nika wondered if she realized the implication-

that she'd tried to hack the database and failed.

Lu said, "Dante can't be a student if he already

graduated and entered the Vigil. Why'd he lie?"

"So no one would get suspicious," Miles replied.

Nika shook her head. "But why would he ask for

directions to the library if he'd once attended this

school? He should've already known where to

look"

Their only response was puzzled expressions and

silence. And the more Nika thought about it, the

more uneasy she grew.

It's criminal, how people treat you.

Had those words been genuine? Or were they a

ploy Dante had used to bait Nika?

Was he working for the Ministry, as Miles had

suggested? Or had he stolen Konstantin's journal

for the Vigil?

I hope to see you again, halfblood.

Though he'd spoken the phrase with innocent

playfulness, a promise lingered within it.

will see you again.

A shiver skittered along Nika's bones.

"What in the name of-"

Nika stiffened, whipping around to find

Headmaster Kovachev standing in the doorway to

his office, a scowl plastered across his face.

"This isn't what it looks like," Jade said from

behind his desk. Nika cringed.

Kovachev stalked toward her roommate, growling,

"Get out of my chair."

Jade scurried back to her former place next to

Miles, and while the headmaster righted his

computer, he frowned at the monitor.

"What is this," he demanded.

"I looked up Dante's name in the Vigil's database"

Jade explained. "Apparently, he's a keeper."

Kovachev glanced at Nika, likely condemning her

for revealing the cause of the school's lockdown to

her friends. But he remained quiet as he surveyed

the screen, loosening his tie. The rapid tapping of

his foot on the carpet was like a pealing bell.

"The four of you may return to the gymnasiums

without an escort," he said finally. "Nika-" Three

swift knocks on the door interrupted him. "Yes?"

In walked the keepers with whom Kovachev had

spoken earlier, words forming on the lips of one,

but his mouth snapped shut when he regarded

Nika.

"They already know everything," Kovachev said

with the wave of a hand. "Just tell me."

"Miss Dimitrovich's dorm is clear, sir. No sign of the

journal or anything suspicious."

Something tight uncoiled in Nika's chest. Not that

she'd feared they would find anything, for she

knew they wouldn't. But Kovachev hadn't taken

her word for truth, which was beyond bothersome.

"Aside from their hangout," the keeper continued,

"we believe one of the cabins has been in use. We

found a man's clothes and a sleeping bag inside."

Nika frowned. Just how long had Dante spent at

the school? Had he been spying?

Kovachev blinked for a moment, as if to digest the

information. Then he said, "Everyone out. Nika,

wait in the hall. I have to make a phone call."

They obeyed, and after biddinga farewell to

friends, NIka sat on a wooden bench outside the

headmaster's office, raising an ear to the c***k in

the door. Kovachev punched in a number on the

phone, and by the time someone picked up, Nika

was itching in a thousand places, anticipation

eating her alive.

"I need to speak with High Keeper Kovac."

Nika stiffened. Why was he calling the High

Keeper?

From the broken bits of speech Nika heard through

the thin walls, Emil Kovac had no time to waste. He

immediately demanded an update on the

situation.

"We have a few leads," said the headmaster, and

then he explained the goings-on of the past hour in

detail.

When the High Keeper replied, his voice was

broken and muffled, but Nika was positive she'd

heard Dante's name.

"That's what I figured," said Kovachev, "but just in

case, I searched the Vigil's database in my

Computer"

Annoyance flared inside her. Of course, he would

take credit for Jade's sleuth ing. He was probably

too embarrassed to admit that he didn't think of

her idea first. Or that he'd left the students alone in

his office, all but inviting them to sweep through

his computer.

He lowered his voice, saying, "Dante Azzara has a

keeper profile. The photo matches Miss

Dimitrovich's description, and he has official

credentials with your signature. But he's not on a

criminal watch list. He hasn't been flagged as a

deserter. He wasn't even discharged. There must

be some mistake."

Emil Kovac was silent.

"Sir?" said Kovachev. "Are you there?"

This time, Nika didn't miss his words: "Thank you

for the hard work, Kovachev, but don't worry

about it anymore. I will handle the situation from

here"

"But"

"I'm counting on you to stay quiet. About all of

this." Nika heard the underlying threat-either hold

your tongue or loseit.

Dread, thick and heavy, sank into her stomach.

Was Emil Kovac trying to cover up something? Was

Elliot right about the Vigil sending Dante to steal

the journal?

The rest of the phone call became muted as Nika's

heart pounded in her ears, echoing each

dangerous question.

The journal of Konstantin the Keeper had been

stolen. Daemonstri-kind's trusted defense

institution might have been responsible. And Nika

was the only person who'd interacted with the

perpetrator.

Running a hand through her hair, she glanced

toward the door situated at the end of the hallway.

Night devoured the world beyond the window

until twin golden orbs appeared, glowing like

distant suns in space.

Fireflies.

The lights gleamed, showing no indication that

they would wink out. And the longer Nika studied

them, the clearer they became. Gold and bright,

but at the very center of each-a depthless black

spot. Like.. .a pupil.

Hair standing high on her neck, Nika averted her

gaze. And she couldn't ignore the stifling presence

that bled through the air, or the ghost of company

that skulked in the shadows. As if someone-or

something-was watching.