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I began a slow and cautious ascent, allowing as much space between me and Marguerite as possible.

“She never had one,” I said loud enough for them to hear.

She scoffed. “Hestolemy heart, and to this day, he continues tobreakit.”

“You two have the oddest relationship,” Hadrian mused.

I could feel his scornful, mocking eyes on me as I climbed the steps like a dog with my tail between my legs. I knew I’d run into Marguerite again at some point; I just wished it would have happened after I met with Hadrian. This night wasn’t going the way I’d expected, and that was saying a lot.

At last, I stepped up to Hadrian. The vampire leader was wearing dark slacks and a pressed, lavender button-down shirt, with pointy, polished shoes finalizing his outfit. His black hair was styled perfectly, and his meticulously groomed five o’clock shadow framed his face. He appeared as if he were about to go hit up the local Cle Elum pub.

His scrutinizing gaze scanned me up and down. “How long has it been, Julian? Five years?”

I met his gaze. “Seven. But who’s counting?”

Hadrian snorted. “Who indeed?” He wagged a finger. “I’ll tell you what, you are one elusive vampire. I’ve never known anybody else who’s been able to stay off the grid as well as you have.”

I shrugged, keeping my tone aloof. “We all have our talents.”

Hadrian nodded, pursing his lips. “That we do. Come in, won’t you? There is much for us to discuss.”

The vampire leader turned around and walked through the massive threshold.

Marguerite nodded her head toward the entrance. “Better keep up with him. Despite his relaxed demeanor, he’s furious with you. Better not keep him waiting.”

I eyed her warily as I walked into the vampire fortress. The place looked the same as it had seven years before. The entryway was expansive, with large blood-red banners holding a dark outline of a drop of blood hanging near the ceiling. Underneath each drop was writtenHeritage Prep.

The vampire fortress was also a school and a recruitment center for possible future vampires called Potentials. Long ago, vampires didn’t care necessarilywhothey bit to increase their numbers. But Hadrian had taken a particular interest in the most brilliant minds in the world. After all, what intelligent person wouldn’t want to live forever?

I stifled a shudder. I hated the dark feeling bouncing around the black walls, holding shadows that danced in the candlelight. I couldn’t think of any other place in the world that could make me more unsettled—except for maybe in Marguerite’s arms.

“So many memories, huh?” Marguerite said. “I can’t believe you willingly left this remarkable place.”

I bit my lip, not wanting to voice what I really thought.

She pointed to the left. “In case you missed it, Hadrian went into the trophy room. He’s waiting for you there.”

Without so much as a nod to acknowledge her, I walked toward the open doors. The trophy room was a large chamber used solely for displaying a collection of rare objects—including fascinating body parts of shifters Hadrian had killed.

I walked through the large arched doorway. Hadrian was sitting behind a desk, his legs propped up on the edge of it and his arms reclined behind his head.

“Take a look around, my friend,” he said, admiring his ornamented walls. “My collection has grown while you’ve been gone.”

I scanned the mounted appendages that were grouped by shifter species, setting my jaw so as not to betray the disgust festering inside me. One section consisted of the long, lizard-like tails of several nagas. They ranged in an assortment of colors, as did the sections with mounted mermaid and kitsune tails.

Displayed on the wall directly above Hadrian’s desk were the two sets of gryphon wings he cherished the most. There was an empty space above them—a place to mount the wings of the final gryphon still living—Caesar.

“Impressive,” I said, the first of many lies I’d tell before the night was over.

Hadrian got to his feet. “It is far from complete. Throughout the years, we’ve been successful in hunting down shifters who’ve joined together in schools and militias. But this hidden academy we keep hearing about has been most elusive.”

“They must be getting smarter,” I replied.

Hadrian stared at me with piercing eyes, but I refused to back down by looking away.

He began to slowly pace around the room, glancing admiringly at his trophies.

“Indeed.” He stopped walking and narrowed his eyes at me. “What shifter news do you bring from Illinois?”