Page 5 of Ever Dark Academy, Vol. 3

So Many Plans

R yder urged Grayson to drink more juice and eat some more eggs and toast. He knew that despite promises to the contrary that Grayson would be using his powers and that would drain him.

So he needed to be as energized as possible.

Besides, Ryder wanted him as powerful as he could be.

The Sect of Dawn could be anyone. Anywhere.

Grayson reached over and squeezed his hand in thanks.

His smile was brilliant and warmed Ryder down to his bones, but Grayson’s focus on him did not last. He could see the wheels in Grayson’s head turning as the great Vampire General started to plan his campaign.

If Ryder had needed yet more proof that Ashyr was at the forefront and not Grayson any longer, the confident way in which Grayson started to arrange what was going to happen that day would have confirmed it.

No longer the uncertain, untrusting young man, but an Immortal used to being listened to and obeyed.

“What is the plan going forward, Ash--Grayson?” Dani quickly amended.

“First, I assume that the Weryn are arriving and will need to be greeted by their Immortal?” Grayson looked over at Demos and Siban for confirmation.

Demos nodded. “More than 100 already and more to come. Biggest gathering of the Bloodline in… I don’t know how long.”

Ryder grimaced. He felt edgier with more Weryn around rather than less. Weryn that he had not chosen. Weryn that might not be loyal or worthy. He knew that considering his own actions in the War some would wonder if he was the worthy one.

It does not matter. I am Weryn. This is my Bloodline. For better or ill, I lead it, he thought.

“They are eager to meet you, Master,” Siban said to Ryder with a smile.

“Meet me? After what they’ve likely heard? No, Siban, I doubt many are like you and will forgive me and seek out my company. They want to know what I am going to do.” Ryder ran a hand through his hair.

“You don’t think they’re loyal to you?” Grayson asked.

His eyebrows lifted, clearly surprised. This was definitely Ashyr talking.

Grayson hadn’t trusted anyone. Had probably thought the idea of loyalty too dangerous to count on.

But it was certain from his clear-eyed gaze now that he thought Weryn had been worthy of being loyal to, of having people who would give their Second Lives for him.

Maybe that was true. But now? After what I put them all through? Things I don’t remember. Things I don’t want to remember, he corrected. I wonder who would seek me out and why.

“The people I was closest to this time around in the Bloodline I kicked out yesterday,” Ryder reminded him with a sigh.

He put his hands on his hips and gritted his teeth.

“I don’t know who these new people are. The Weryn have become hugely clannish.

We handle our own issues within our Houses.

As much as we spoke of pack, the truth was we were isolated from each other. ”

“We spoke of what we wanted it to be. Not what it was,” Demos agreed. “But it could be that, Ryder. I know you could make it just like we talked about.”

“Not just me. You and Siban are crucial to whatever the Weryn become,” Ryder told his best friend.

Demos nodded. “And we have faith in you . Don’t let the past weigh you down. The present and the future are all we’ve got.”

He felt the truth of Demos’ statements, but the past hung so heavy on everything, including those that were coming. “What if the ones that come are like the ones we kicked out?”

“Lawson couldn’t have tainted everyone,” Grayson said with a shake of his head. “There must be some of your old line left that kept the spirit of the Weryn alive. Your people were the most loyal, the strongest, the best. Truly. I know you don’t remember, but I do.”

“You remember it all?” Dani asked.

“No, more like flashes and things. But overall, I just feel things. And I feel this about the Weryn,” Grayson said.

But was that hope or logic speaking? Ryder couldn’t say, but he loved Grayson for saying it nonetheless. He would try to make it true now, no matter how tall that mountain seemed at the moment.

“The Weryn Vampires that were made after the War will only know of me what the Order used to tell them, that all Immortals are monsters who kill Vampires without thought,” Ryder stated.

“And, in my case, at least, that was true. The older ones will know that. So when they hear about what I did to Lawson and kicking out all but two Vampires from the Bloodline, I have no idea what they’ll think or do. ”

“I can prepare a list for you of the Vampires in the Bloodline and their qualities,” Siban offered. “Ones that you should concentrate on if you think they are worthwhile. Leaders. Not necessarily heads of Houses, but those who when they speak, others listen.”

Demos lifted an eyebrow. “I didn’t know you were tight with anyone outside of Lawson’s House, Siban.”

“I was not tight with anyone inside Lawson’s House. You are being kind to state that,” Siban answered with a faint smile. “But I took it upon myself to know everyone. From afar at least.”

“Like a hunter,” Ryder smiled as he said it to take out any sting.

Siban gave a brief nod. “More to be prepared.”

“Prepared?” Demos’ brows drew together.

Siban lowered their head. “It’s something I learned during the War. To know everyone’s capabilities and character.”

“So you’d know if they were crazy or would betray you?” Grayson guessed.

Siban gave another brief nod. Grayson’s expression went as grim as Ryder felt at those words.

He was shocked after everything they had been through that Siban had wanted to try again with him.

He was lucky to have them. He needed to tell them that.

Repeatedly. As Demos had said, there might not be any way to undo the past, but he had to make the present and the future good for them.

“Okay, so while Ryder is checking out the Weryn, I need to meet with the Ashyr,” Grayson said, stroking his chin.

Dani perked up. “It would mean so much to them!”

“And, hopefully, it will stop them from acting like guard dogs,” Demos gave out a soft huff of laughter. “If we want to keep your identity secret, Grayson, having them following you around like a pack is not going to work.”

“I know it.” Grayson scrubbed his face with his hands.

“I am sorry that I have not curbed this behavior. They are just…” Dani struggled to find the words. “Eager to see you. And very protective. We failed you before, Grayson, we cannot do so again.”

“If others had been there with me, they would have died too. Kaly plans meticulously and is incredibly powerful. We don’t have many defenses against them,” Grayson said.

“You remember how you… died?” Ryder didn’t even remember that. He couldn’t. He simply couldn’t. It was like a black hole opened inside of him whenever he tried to look back at that.

Grayson nodded. Demos gave out a low whistle.

“I remembered it the first night here. At the parade,” Grayson admitted. “Let’s just say that I’m glad that Kaly is on our side again.”

“And you trust him? Even after everything?” Siban asked.

“I do. While what happened was planned, was vicious, was ruthless, was many things, Kaly was very sick back then,” Grayson explained.

He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “They were struggling. With Daemon gone, the one person they might have confided in and sought help from was no longer there. Their paranoia grew and the madness with it. But they aren’t like that anymore.

I can tell. I mean Eyros and Kaly are best friends. That would have never happened before.”

“He looked ready to take any person’s soul that hurt Balthazar’s feelings the other day in the Ring,” Demos grunted in agreement.

“Indeed.” Grayson nodded. “And Daemon is back. That will keep them stable as well.”

“Many are not so forgiving or certain as you are, Master,” Dani told him gently.

“I’m sure they aren’t. But I was killed by Kaly and it’s my decision how I wish to respond.

And my response is forgiveness. I hope that means that yours can be too, Dani.

At least on my behalf,” Grayson told her.

“I know you have your own pain. I would not ask you to put that aside, but anything you’re holding because of me, I want you to let it go. ”

Dani looked down at the ground and pressed her lips tightly together. “I will try. I am trying.”

Her eyes flickered to Ryder. She likely had plenty of reasons to hate him too. As much as Kaly maybe.

Grayson reached out and squeezed her hand. “I know you are. And I know that you and Siban, and many others, remember things that we either don’t or weren’t there for. You’re doing so well. So amazingly well. And I would not ask this of you, if I didn’t think you capable of such a hard thing.”

She covered his hand with her own and nodded. “I understand that if we live in the past, we can’t move forward. And there are plenty of new enemies to worry about.”

Ryder noticed that Grayson did not ask him to forgive Kaly.

But he did not have to. It was still strange to look at Caemorn and think that he was Kaly.

He was so different. Balthazar was, too.

They were versions of themselves that were almost unrecognizable.

Because of this Weryn seemed to have no reaction to them at all.

“Do all of the Ashyr know I’m their Immortal, Dani?” Grayson asked.

“Yes, yes, they do. But they wouldn’t betray your desire for secrecy,” Dani assured him, a touch of alarm on her face.

“Jill and her people can’t be the only ones with ties to the Sect of Dawn. There have to be others in the Vampire ranks,” Grayson told her carefully.

Ah, here is Grayson. Not so trusting after all. Not so certain of his own Bloodline, Ryder realized, picking up on where Grayson was going with this.

“You’re thinking that there might be Sect members in your Bloodline? No, no, Grayson, there are not,” Dani said with a firm shake of her head.