Bloodrage - Helen Harper Page 0,102

Arch-Mage leaned forward. “Of course that doesn’t necessarily mean that Tryyl won’t still come after us for having had it in our possession in the first place. That’s why Mage Florides is still going to try to find his bones.”

“I thought he tried that already and couldn’t manage it.”

The Arch-Mage lifted a shoulder in a half-shrug. “There are a few things he can try yet. He’s rather talented at Divination, as you know.”

“And we’d expect that the wraith’s largest bone of contention is with the vampires anyway,” added in Corrigan. “If he’s going to take revenge out on anyone, it stands to reason that he’d go there first.”

I wasn’t convinced that a shadowy creature of death really had that many powers of logic and reasoning, but I wisely kept my mouth shut. I shrugged and looked at them both. “Okay then. Let’s do it.”

Corrigan stood up, and pointed towards the Dean’s desk. I noticed for the first time that the Palladium was standing rather forlornly on it. I gazed at it for a moment. Why such a small thing could cause so many stupid problems I had no idea.

“As you have already handled it, it makes sense for you to do so again. That way we can limit our physical contact with the thing.” The Arch-Mage’s voice was calm, but I felt the stirrings of annoyance with his words.

“Of course. That way it’s only my life that’s in danger, not anyone else’s.”

Corrigan reached over and took my hand, holding it gently but firmly in his. His emerald green eyes fixed upon mine. It was virtually impossible for me to look away. “I won’t let anything happen to you,” he said softly.

Now I just felt even more irritated. “Actually, I won’t let anything happen to me. I don’t need your protection. As I recall, you were pretty useless against Tryyl anyway.”

His eyes flashed in anger and he dropped my hand. Fine.

The Arch-Mage laughed mirthlessly. “At least it’s not just me that has issues with controlling her.”

I stared at him in annoyance, mulling over whether Thomas had been right about him forcing me to come to the academy just so that he could show the Dean who was really boss. “If I do this, then you need to do something for me,” I stated evenly.

“I’m not going to release you from your oath,” he said warningly.

I shook my head. “Not that. But you need to let Thomas – um, sorry, Mage Thomas – off. It was only because what the Dean let the vampire do that he flipped.”

“I think you’ll find that the Lord Alpha here has already considerably highlighted the error of the Dean’s ways in that respect.”

I sneaked a quick peek at Corrigan. His jaw was clenched but otherwise the expression on his face was unfathomable.

“Still,” I continued, “he shouldn’t be punished for it.”

The Arch-Mage gave an imperceptible nod. “He will be given an alternative position as a gatekeeper, working out of London.”

“He’ll be very good at that,” I said softly.

The Arch-Mage agreed. “I know. Now, take the damn Palladium and get out of here.”

I scooped it up. It still felt like nothing more than a chunk of roughly hewn wood. Whatever. It was time to put the thing to rest for once and all.

*

Corrigan and I walked out to the front of the academy building, neither of us saying a word to the other. Part of me wanted to thank him for standing up for me and Thomas, whilst the other part was equally bristling at the idea that he thought I needed him to do so. Regardless of anything, I was gallingly aware of his proximity. He had slowed his steps deliberately so that I could keep pace with him without having to trot beside him, and the tiny gap of air between our bodies was achingly small.

He turned right, heading for the portal, and I was about to do the same when I heard my name being called from behind. I turned round and saw Thomas, supported on either flank by two mages, and jogged back over to the steps and next to him.

“Are you okay?” My eyes scanned his face, checking to see what lingered damage had been done.

He coughed slightly. “I’m fine. You’ll have heard I’m being sent back to the Ministry?”

I nodded. “The Arch-Mage promises that you won’t be punished. He’ll find you a place as a gatekeeper.”

Thomas laughed bitterly. “Fat lot of good that will do. You know what it’ll be like, Mack,