Page 70 of Broken Obsession

He didn’t bother reading it himself. Hell, maybe that was why the Black Hart had taken it in the first place. He’d known Eden wouldn’t have the patience for such things. He’d sign no matter what, in any case, because he more than just needed this job.

He wanted it.

The urge to return to his roots as more than an occasional treat for the players of Vanity was as aggressive as Ares’ hips had been the other night. This was his chance to break back into music, even if it was as a teacher instead of a performer. Besides, playing Ransom was performance enough for him anyway. He’d had a taste of the limelight and realized, rather disappointedly at that, that it probably wasn’t for him.

But music?

Music he’d missed. The chance to sing to his heart's content, to let out all his frustrations and emotions through song? Through instruments? Getting to do this would be like regaining a slice of his old self, and Eden was desperate for that.

Ironic, how killing Zonnie had felt freeing. Ares had commented about revenge and Eden’s assumption that it would fix things, but he had no idea.

It wasn’t about fixing anything.

It was about regaining the ability to breathe without feeling like his lungs might explode.

Ares had given him that. Had helped loosen the cinch around his chest.

Eden signed his name to the line and placed the device onto the desk. Not even a second later, Ares' multi-slate chimed.

“I’ll take this outside,” he said, resting a hand briefly on Eden’s shoulder before turning for the door.

“It’s good to have you on board, Mr. Baldur.” The second they were alone, some of the tension eased from Celeste. “I was worried there for a minute when you missed our original appointment. I thought you might have gotten cold feet.”

“Not at all,” he replied. “I apologize for my delay. It couldn’t be helped.” It wasn’t a lie. He had been unconscious, after all. “I’m grateful for this opportunity.”

“I should be thanking you. The man who held the position before you disappeared so suddenly, it left us in a bind.”

“Disappeared?” Eden hadn’t bothered to ask about the professor before him, but he was positive Ares had mentioned something about him getting another job.

“Yes, he just up and vanished one day.”

“That sounds concerning. Are the police looking into the matter?” Had Ares lied to him? Why?

“If you’re worried he might reappear and take his job back, don’t be. The contract is ironclad. The position is yours, even if someone came crawling back from the grave, they couldn’t take it from you.”

What…an odd thing to say.

“You don’t seem that concerned about a missing faculty member,” he couldn’t help but point out.

“Yes, well, people disappear all the time. Don’t they?” There was hidden meaning behind her gaze, something she was obviously trying to convey, but didn’t want to risk saying outright. “It’s just fortunate that Ares happened on a professor perfect to fill the position in the nick of time.”

Ah, there it was.

“Are you suggesting Ares had something to do with this professor’s disappearance?” How would Eden feel about that if he had? If the Black Hart had somehow paved the way for Eden?

Clear a path.

Wasn’t that exactly what he’d said to Ellery yesterday on the phone?

Removing a professor would probably be a piece of cake for him.

“I’m not saying anything of the sort. I urge you not to put words into other people’s mouths.” Her eyes darted behind him to the door quickly.

“You’re afraid of him,” he surmised.

“Of Ares Major?” She scoffed. “Everyone is afraid of the Gods, Mr. Baldur.”

“He isn’t a god.” Things just kept getting weirder and weirder. What type of Dean referred to one of their students like that? With fear and maybe even a dash of reverence. “Isn’t your cousin in attendance here as well?”