Page 116 of Eternal Ruin

“Sir, respectfully, that’s insane,” Yusef added.

“How long is the string?” Slen said.

Kidan turned to her. “Really, that’s your question?”

Slen didn’t answer, making her bristle.

Professor Andreyas let them finish. “Your dranaics’ job will be to test you. During this time, whatever law they set upon you, you must carry out. This exercise was suggested by the Last Sage himself inDranacti Principles. He used it to teach humans compassion, help them understand how restrictive the binds placed on vampires are, and to remember if they ever inherit a house, to never abuse that power.”

Funny, Kidan thought. Abusing power was all Uxlay knew. The Last Sage must want to destroy this place.

“But, sir… what if the vampires abuse this power? Instruct us to do awful things?” A chill dried Kidan’s throat.

“Then you will learn this lesson even better.”

Her mouth dropped open a little.

“Dranaics aren’t here to serve you, they are your partners, your shadows. Think about what kind of house master you will be during this time. Will you be kind or selfish? Destructive? They must find you worthy of such position.”

Yusef rested back, a triumphant smile on display. “Sir, I don’t have to do this, right? Since I mastered the house.”

The professor’s eyes narrowed a sliver. “You do. Passing this class is compulsory regardless of your status.”

Yusef’s shoulders deflated. Despite herself, Kidan’s lips twitched.

From his desk drawer, Professor Andreyas retrieved a red rope with twowristbands. There was a black clasp in the middle to extend the thick band out, reaching almost two yards before it contracted again. “The moment you’re clasped in, the timer will start. Six hours. If at any point, you or the dranaic breaks the red string before the allotted time ends, you will fail. There is no freedom when you are playing the games of laws. You have until our next class to complete this.”

Cold sweat beaded on Kidan’s palms and she wiped them down. Tied with Susenyos… for half a day. It could go either way. And what about Samson? Nausea built inside her.

Slen rubbed her fingers together, either looking for a smoke or a violin bow.

Professor Andreyas whisked his gaze over all three.

“Listen carefully, actis.” His commanding tone made the room shake. “Not every acti is meant to inherit a house. Once I reveal the third and final criteria, you will not be able to walk away as easily. Consider critically if this life is for you. Even you, Umil. You may want to pass the house down to someone else in your family.”

Yusef thumbed the golden pin, silent. If Dranacti had been challenging, Mastering a House Law appeared to be designed to break their resolve, a mountain that hid more and more challenges.

Yet none of them moved to drop out.

“Very well,” the professor said. “Remember, take their instructions as if they are a law set upon you. Bear its weight and restriction. Understand that this is how dranaics feel every day. They can only feed on graduated actis, their strength is cut in half, and they’re forced to die when they turn another soul.”

Kidan’s attention went to Yusef. First thing she had to do was secure his vote. From across the wide classroom, Slen watched him too.

Great minds.

Kidan had to hurry.

41.

KIDAN

After receiving the red band from Professor Andreyas, Kidan caught up to Yusef. He was perched on the ledge before the red sandstone buildings of the Southern Sost, concentrated over his sketchbook, using his left hand to draw. He had earbuds in. No doubt a track by Nina Simone.

Kidan hopped onto the ledge and he jumped, swearing.

Once he realized it was just her, Yusef pulled his earbuds down, his mouth quirking into a knowing smile. “I was wondering when you’d come chat.”

The weather was lovely, sun streaking down in visible rays. The lighting here was almost magical, bringing out the green in the unnaturally even grass. Every shade of red from crimson to rust illuminated in the sandstone. Kidan remembered GK and Yusef sitting here, meditating. Her gut squeezed. It felt like an eternity ago. Maybe Yusef came here to remember GK too.