‘That’s fine,’ Zoe said, trying to suppress her smile.
‘Spence, you will be expected to sit in a disciplinary meeting this afternoon before recommencing classes,’ she said, with a look that dared him to challenge her.
Jesus. She really is scary.
Of course Spence rose right to the challenge. ‘Actually, I’ve just graduated high school. I’ve brought a copy of my records with me. I’d be very happy to attend combat training and additional physical education, though, since I’m sure I’ve missed some while I’ve been gone.’
I had to give it to him, he didn’t even break out in a smile. He delivered the whole speech of crap with the most sincere look on his face that Josephine was left with nowhere to go.
Wonder how long he’s been practising that!
‘We can discuss it later,’ Josephine snapped. ‘You can both take your bags to your rooms and get settled.’ She waved her hand at them, dismissing him and Zoe.
She’s awfully keen to get rid of Zoe and Spence.
I gave Lincoln a sideways glance but he shook his head, discreetly asking me to let it go. I did.
Josephine took her time to show her clear disdain for me before she turned to Griffin and Lincoln, showering them with false kisses. Her theatrics reminded me of Onyx’s.
Same drama. Different channel.
‘So you’re the human …’ she said, finally turning her attention to Dad. She didn’t bother to hide her dislike. It struck me as oddly similar to the kind of disgust exiles show us.
Dad nodded. ‘James Eden,’ he said holding out his hand. Josephine ignored it.
‘James, excuse me if I don’t pretend to be happy to have you in my Academy. Certain rights are afforded us within these walls and by insisting on coming here you have breached those rights of ours. Out on the street, I tolerate humans – I dedicate my life to your survival – but I have been Grigori for so long now that unless it is a matter of the greater good, I prefer to keep the company of my own kind.’
‘And I’m only human,’ Dad responded.
‘Correct,’ Josephine stated with no shame.
‘He’s my father, Josephine,’ I said, stepping forward, but Dad put his hand up to stop me.
‘It’s fine. I’d prefer not to suffer pretences either. I believe it has been made clear to you, Josephine, that I am here to escort Evelyn, and I expect to be with her at all times.’
Josephine laughed. ‘And what gave you the impression that I would allow that?’
Dad bristled. ‘I will be taken to Evelyn now. If she is locked up, then I give you my permission to lock me up with her, under the condition that my daughter is given access to me …’
He glanced at me. ‘If she would like to see me at any time. And you will provide this for the exact same reason that you let me inside your precious Academy to begin with. You want Evelyn, you need Violet, and without me you cannot be sure you will get either.’
Josephine’s eyes went wide and she cleared her throat.
Score one for the human.
Finally, she gestured to a guard standing silently by the entry doors. ‘Take him down to the holding cells.’
‘Dad?’ I started when they moved in to cuff him.
He shook his head. ‘Sweetheart, it’s fine. You do what you have to do and come and see me … when you’re ready.’ Then his eyes settled on Lincoln. ‘I’m trusting you to look out for her.’
Lincoln nodded. ‘I will.’ He said it as if he was giving an oath and it made me nervous.
When the guards had led Dad away Josephine turned back to us. ‘And then there were three,’ she said and, at seeing my stance – hands on hips and head down as if I was about to charge her – she chuckled lightly. ‘Save the demonstrations for a proper audience. I’d hate for you to be exhausted before the main event.’ She held her perfectly manicured hand out. ‘The Assembly are waiting for you.’
‘The entire Assembly?’ Griffin asked.
Josephine smiled knowingly and replied slowly. ‘Every last one of them.’
Griffin paled. Lincoln looked away.
Oh, that can’t mean anything good.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
‘Beware of dark and secret things.’
Sir John Clerk
Josephine led us into a large oval room. Again, the outer wall was entirely glass but this time it was opaque so there was no view. The space was largely bare, apart from a semi-circle of chairs which sat on a slightly raised stage at the far end of the room that looked like they’d been carved out of incredibly large trees – each one a different shade of natural wood. All were taken but one.
Lincoln stayed close to me as we were led to the centre of the room. There were no seats for us. I was desperate to talk to Griffin and find out why he was so freaked out that the entire Assembly was present.