Scholar of Magic (Art of the Adept #3) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,163

heart sank. If Rob hadn’t died that night, then he had survived to become one of the enemy. He couldn’t lie to Veronica, though. “There are vampires, Veronica. They took him two nights ago. If he’s still writing to you, then they’ve turned him. If you see him, you need to run the other direction.”

She rolled her eyes, seeming irritated. “Listen, I don’t know what sort of weird prank you two are trying to pull, but I don’t appreciate it. I was genuinely worried about him.”

“But—”

Veronica cut him off. “If you see him, tell him not to bother wasting my time. I’m not fond of games.” She marched away.

“That went well,” observed Tiny.

“What else could I have done?” asked Will.

“Next time maybe paralyze her and push her up against a building? That worked well with the baron,” said Tiny sarcastically.

Will glared at his friend. “Seriously, you have developed a nasty sense of humor.”

Tiny shrugged. “It must be the company I keep.”

He shook his head, then opened the envelope that Veronica had given him. The contents did nothing to ease his mind.

Will,

My school days have come to an end, but rest assured, I am alive and unwell. I despaired at first. The change is painful, but I bear you no ill will. This is my last message to you as a friend, however. If we meet again, well, it’s best that we don’t.

I tried, though. I tried hard. Maybe everyone does. The mind remains, but no amount of reason survives when the thirst strikes. I have already done things that would have horrified me just days ago, yet my sense of guilt is strangely dull.

This is my last gift to you. Get out of the city. Those who control the night have let slip the reins; not all is moving according to their plan. Apparently, the thing you went to save that night was the catalyst for a disaster that no one wanted.

But my new masters are adaptable. They will use the chaos as they adjust their plans. Friday night will be the end for Cerria, and for its king. I both fear and delight in the thought of what will come after.

Farewell my friend. Run far, run fast!

Robert

“Fuck!” swore Will. Then he looked at Tiny. “I need to talk to someone.”

“Who?”

He held up his hand, showing the Ring of Vile and Unspeakable Knowledge to Tiny. “I’ve kept this a secret to most, but the mind of my old teacher is trapped here.”

Tiny stared at the ring. “When did you get that? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wearing a ring.”

“Most people don’t notice it. It’s part of the magic,” Will informed him. “Anyway, don’t be surprised when you hear it talking.” He activated the limnthal, then addressed the ring. “I’m back at the college now, but it seems like the vampires are probably multiplying.”

“How’s the baby?” asked Arrogan with a snicker, ignoring what Will had just said. Tiny’s brows went up in surprise.

Will growled. “It’s fine. I named it Gan, in your honor.”

“You kept it? Those things are dangerous!”

“I returned it to the trolls. They even gave me a name, Grak-Murra.”

“Troll what? That last part is nonsense.”

“It’s new. Clegg decided it’s their new word for mother.”

Arrogan began chortling. “So you’re the ‘troll-mother.’ Oh, that’s rich! In the history of wizard ambassadors, you’re the first to deliver the baby and take it back to them.”

“The same thing happened to you then?”

“Why don’t we focus on this vampire problem you have?” suggested Arrogan, suddenly serious. “That’s obviously the most important thing.”

Of course it is, thought Will wryly. He took a few minutes to explain the situation and give the ring an update on current events, including the content of Rob’s letter.

Arrogan sighed. “That isn’t good. You say people have been disappearing?”

“That’s the rumor, but it makes sense.”

“The building searches probably won’t find much,” said the ring.

Will