"What?" Suddenly an image of Varden, with its spider webbed walkways, flickered through my mind. "Does it have anything to do with what Titan was working on in Varden? Combining science and magic."
Heathcliff's mouth fell open. "How did you know?"
Professor Pops shot Heathcliff a sharp look. Then he turned. "Sharra destroyed Varden not long after Silindra died. In the place the mountain once stood is nothing but sand." He gave me a pointed look, one I wasn't sure I understood. "We continue some of his work in the lab." He gave Christopher and I an equally sharp look. "Please, tell no one. We can't let what we're doing get back to Sharra. And others."
I zipped my lips with my fingers. "Not a word," I mumbled. Jeez. I wasn't one to blab secrets. Immediately, I clamped down those bitter feelings, unsure where they came from. If Professor Pops requested silence, it must be serious.
Pops fixed Christopher with a glare. "Vampire?"
"I won't say anything either, but you have to let me come by the lab sometime. I'd love to see what you're working on. Perhaps be of assistance in some way."
Pops regarded Christopher thoughtfully. "Deal."
Christopher nodded. "Good." He put his arm around my shoulders, but continued to speak with Pops. "I think we should speak with Kenmei right away."
"Agreed."
Dorian chimed in. "Hunter, you might want to change first." He screwed up his face in disgust. I gave Christopher a once over. His white shirt was shredded. Dried blood stained his shirt, pants, and shoes. He even had some in his hair. I guessed I looked as bad. Dorian continued, "I've got some clothes you can borrow."
Chapter 2
Dorian brought Christopher a pair of jeans and a gray t-shirt. "To match your purdy new eyes," Dorian quipped, batting his eyelashes at my Hunter.
I covered my mouth so I wouldn't laugh. Christopher's jaw flexed, and I sensed he didn't appreciate Dorian's witty sarcasm.
"Thank you," Christopher said, taking them. "I can pay you."
Dorian snorted. "Look at this place. Does it look like I need your money?" Christopher took his wallet from his back pocket. Dorian shook his head. "Consider them a gift." Serious, he continued, "If Snow is on your side, then so am I."
Christopher cleared his throat and nodded. "Much appreciated."
"Cool," Dorian responded, then disappeared into the kitchen. I heard the toaster go down, and knew he was cooking a blueberry bagel. His "go to" breakfast since we were ten.
As Christopher and I started up the stairs, Professor Pops said, "No hanky panky." He looked uncomfortable, but determined, and my heart melted. It felt good to be parented, even if it embarrassed me.
My face was instantly hot. Before I had the chance to respond, Christopher said, "She's in good hands, sir."
Pops rubbed a hand across his forehead, and headed toward the kitchen. He mumbled, "That's what I'm afraid of."
Dorian snickered, half a blueberry bagel smeared with strawberry cream cheese in one hand. It smelled divine. Dorian tore up the stairs, swatting my butt playfully as he passed by. "I don't want to be late for school. Harvard expects serious students."
I laughed at the look on Christopher's face.
"Don't be mad," I said.
"Yeah, she was my friend long before she was yours," Dorian said, winking.
"Not much longer," Christopher growled.
I thought about that. He'd Marked me when I was five, kept an eye on me from a distance. He knew me as long as most of the brothers, even longer than a couple. But I hadn't known him.
Perhaps not intimately, but you sensed his presence, my inner voice reprimanded.
It was true. There were several occasions when I believed someone watched or followed me. At the time, it was eerie. If he hadn't been doing the Vampire Queen's bidding, I may still have thought so.
Dorian snorted, and shoved the last couple bites of his bagel in his mouth. Stuffing it in his cheek, he gave us two thumbs up, said, "Later," and jogged away.
I touched Christopher's arm. His fingers grasped my hand as he pulled me into my bedroom, closing the door.