Page 100 of Obsidian and Frost

Of course he was.

It wasn’t impetuousness, it was eagerness.

Having me on board with what he wanted done was a hell of a thing for him.

Fuck.With him being a vampire-sorcerer hybrid, I couldn’t grab my extra serum now, let alone actually inject it. He’dhear every movement. It would risk word getting out about my sickness—my weakness.

I’d be fine. The extra shot was just a backup, really.

I crossed to the front door, waving my hand glowing with my magic briefly to drop the ward, and then I threw open the door to see him on my doorstep, standing rigid and regally with his hands linked behind his back.

Charles Petrone.

Vampire-sorcerer hybrid.

He was a nice guy, all in all.

And he had his ear to the ground.

However, he was also very aware that knowledge was power.

And that certainly didn’t come free from him, hence what I needed to do tonight.

Of course, I always took my payment up front.

Not that I would skip out on fulfilling my end of the deal. That sort of response was reserved for low lives. But he was also a high-value asset, not somebody you wanted to screw over. He would most certainly continue to be useful down the line, so maintaining a strong professional relationship was beneficial to me.

He appeared to be in his forties in human years, but his true age was three hundred and sixty-five. His timeless, chiseled features reflected his original upbringing rooted in aristocratic legacy. His eyes were a deep crimson, intelligent and always carefully assessing.

He wore a fitted gray suit with a black button-down beneath, tailored to perfection. A single gold medallion hung around his neck that glowed faintly with aquamarine magic—a gift from his sorcerer wife and a way for him to carry her with him always, the two of them happily married for two centuries now. His dark brown hair was a classic side-swept undercut, almost modern.

He held out his hand immediately, and we shook.

“It’s a pleasure, Sylas.”

“Good to see you again, Charlie.”

“I’d worried that wouldn’t be possible for at least a year, given your current circumstances of being imprisoned at a college that is miles below your capabilities and knowledge base.”

“Well, you’re well aware that I have my ways of circumventing what seems impossible on the surface.”

He chuckled. “Indeed. You have proven that several times over.” That levity dissipated as he told me, “It’s unfortunate that the Guardian Movement cannot see the necessity of your vigilante efforts. Soon. Change, especially of significant magnitude, takes time,andthose like you who are willing and courageous enough to challenge the status quo and, unfortunately, often suffer for it in the process.”

“Let’s hope things tilt the way we both intend.”

“Hope has nothing to do with that. It’s not like you to be so modest.”

“Well, I’m working on being less of an arrogant prick.”

“You care for these twopersonal interestsof yours a great deal then if you’re willing to alter that.” He grinned. “Or anything about yourself.”

“I like to think of it not asalteringbutevolving appropriately.”

“I see. Very well.” He gestured outside. “Are you ready?”

“I’m ready the moment you provide your end of the deal.”

His lips quirked. He did enjoy my no-nonsense attitude. He was all about efficiency.