Page 225 of Eternal Ruin

“So you’ve come,” Mahlet said.

“Uxlay first, above family, above friends,” Dean Faris said, sorrow clouding her eyes.

Dean Faris’s face was years younger, but she still dressed in her blazer and turquoise hair bead. Her shadow, Professor Andreyas, stood close.

“There are whispers you plan to become dean. That you plan to pool all our resources into locating the mythical artifacts and suspend Dranacti studies,” the dean said, knitting her fingers close.

The fire in Mahlet’s eyes didn’t dim. “This is no way of life. How many students have to sacrifice their souls to feed vampires? Look at their eyes. We all lose a piece of our souls the moment we kill.”

“Your guilt is clouding your judgment.”

“This isn’t about my guilt!”

“Isn’t it? Does your husband know who you killed to graduate?” Dean Faris never lost control over her voice, but for a second, it slipped near anger.

Aman shot a glance to Mahlet, who fisted her palms and stared back at the dean with defiance.

“I don’t need to know. There has to be a better system than this,” Aman said.

“You are not acti.” Dean Faris’s voice was clipped. “You do not know how many systems Uxlay has implemented before settling on this one. Mahlet, do you really want to incite a civil war?”

Mahlet was quiet.

“The rumor Adane House has found the mask artifact is taking root ever since the archaeology site in Axum was discovered,” the dean continued forcefully. “The Sicions have reported and interrupted two assassination attempts on the two of you. Is the rumor true? If it is, tell me now, and surrender the artifact into my possession. If it’s not, then dissolve this group of yours, and stop entertaining dreams. Dranacti is the safest, least violent path to making acti blood drinkable.”

Aman was preparing to speak when Mahlet cut him off. “The rumor is not true. We don’t have the mask artifact.”

Dean Faris set her hawklike eyes on Aman, and he straightened his chin, nodding slowly.

“Are you sure?” she asked. “Think carefully. The only way to truly disband your group is to remove its leaders.”

Silence, then Aman did a double take. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Kidan’s mother was as calm as a still lake. “She wants to kill us.”

Horror forced a choked sound out of Aman. “You—you can’t. We have children.”

“They will be taken care of by Silia.” Dean Faris hardened her face. “Unless, of course, Silia, is part of your group too?”

“No,” Mahlet responded stiffly. “Silia has never been interested in work. She’s traveling the Cayman Islands.”

“Good, then the Adane House bloodline will continue.”

Aman whirled around. “Just hold on. Please. Let’s talk about this.”

The two women communicated without words, fire burning in their gaze.

“Do you have the mask artifact?” the dean repeated.

Aman shot a desperate look to his wife.

Mahlet touched her necklace briefly, then rested her hand. “Don’t pretend there’s anything we can do that will save our lives tonight. You’d already decided on it the moment you crossed into my house without invitation.”

Aman’s pinched expression lost some of its weight and a horrible acceptance settled over his face.

“But I beg you.” Mahlet’s voice softened for a second. “Leave them one parent. Let him go.”

Dean Faris held her gaze, gently enough it could be mistaken for love. “Uxlay first, Mahlet.”