by J.J. Bonds
Chapter Twenty-One
The following week brings further bad news. Two more mangled bodies have been found in Rutland, this time closer to town. It’s getting increasingly difficult for the faculty to maintain order. Rumors fly that the Linkuri will be coming from the New York coven, as they’re closest and will have jurisdiction here. Others still say the school will be closed early for the summer and that we’ll all be sent home.
According to the newspaper, the Rutland P.D. is treating Damian’s disappearance as a separate case from the others, since they still have no body and no leads. The optimism surrounding his safe return diminishes every day. The task force assigned to the known deaths still isn’t sure if they’re dealing with a serial killer or bear attacks, but they’re calling for reinforcements. They need more experienced investigators and a real forensics team to wade through the evidence. Pratt assures the student body that there’s still no convincing evidence that the deaths are in any way related to Crossroads.
I’m sitting in Lynch’s class mulling all of this over and listening to my classmates debating the social norms of vampires when there’s a knock on the door. Pratt’s secretary lets herself in without waiting for an invitation. From where I sit in the front row, I can see that she’s not alone. There’s a guardian waiting in the hall. Why would she be accompanied by one of the Pazitor?
“Headmaster Pratt would like to speak with one of your students,” she announces. I’m really starting to hate this class. I brace myself, waiting for her to call my name, as she scans the list on her notepad.
“Blaine Westbrook.”
I’m awash in relief. I was so sure it was going to be me, not that I have any interest in another one-on-one meeting with Pratt.
“What’s this about?” Blaine asks unmoving. As usual, his respect for authority is less than impressive. He wants her to know he’s not budging unless it’s on his own terms.
“Headmaster Pratt will explain it to you when we get to his office. Please get your things and follow me.”
Blaine still doesn’t move.
The guardian enters the room and barks a single word at Blaine: “Now.” He’s not screwing around. His tone is enough to stir Blaine to action.
“Move along then, Blaine,” chimes in Lynch. He probably wants to get this scene over with quickly. Whatever Blaine’s being called away for, it looks bad. Lynch knows the class is going to be distracted and the debate on social norms has come to an end.
I catch Nik’s eye. He looks worried. So does Blaine. I wonder what he’s done to warrant the trip to Pratt’s office and the presence of the Pazitor. I don’t know what to make of it all, so I go see Anya as soon as we’re dismissed. I know she won’t be happy that I’m ditching class, but I don’t think I can wait until the end of the day to talk to her.