Crossroads (Crossroads Academy #1) (33 page)

“Aren’t you forgetting something,” I ask,
eyeing him skeptically.

“What’s that?”

“Blaine. He isn’t going to stay quiet about
what’s transpired here. He knows everything.”

“Ah, yes. Blaine. I’ve taken care of that. As
I said, I visited with the others while you slept.” His tone is ice
cold. It sends a chill down my spine. Again, I’m reminded of Aldo’s
powerful persona in the outside world. Surely he wouldn’t have
taken action against Blaine? My gaze slides to Viktor. He is a
punisher by trade. It’s what he does.

Both men begin to laugh.

“Not to worry, Katia. Blaine is fine. I had a
little chat with him about how nice it might be to have the head of
the Consiliul de Batrani owe him a favor. He was beside himself to
comply in light of the traitorous acts that he committed against
you. He’s sworn an oath to me that I can assure you he will not
break.”

I don’t even want to think about the threat
that would make Aldo so confident in Blaine’s loyalty, given his
open dislike of everything related to me.

“Besides,” he chuckles. “I planted a
suggestion in his subconscious that will be difficult for him to
overcome.”

I’m intrigued. I’ve heard of vampires that
are able to influence the weak minded and wonder if this is a
talent Aldo possesses, but don’t ask. Some things are better left
unsaid. Whatever it is, it’s between Blaine and Aldo.

“Sir.”

Viktor says only this one word, but its
meaning is clear to Aldo. Time to go. Our time together is always
so short as of late. I resign myself to that fact and hug them both
tightly, knowing I’ll be home in Romania in just a few short
months. Besides, I have a few loose ends of my own to tie up.

The
warm spring breeze caresses my arms and lifts a few strands of hair
from the collar of my shirt. This mornings’ rain has left the
campus fresh and clean. I stroll about among the roses, imagining
that the rain has also washed away the tragedy of recent weeks. I
inhale the scents of the garden and smile. I feel as light as
air.

I’m relieved to have finally told Shaye the
truth about my past. She deserved to hear it from me. The lies had
gone on too long, and Anya was right: I do need friends. Besides, I
know that I can trust Shaye with my life. I have no regrets about
sharing this piece of myself with her.

I reach out to pluck one of the blossoms from
its thorny branch and stop suddenly. I am no longer alone in the
garden.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?”

Nik. What’s he doing up so early? And why is
he wandering around in the garden? “Are you following me?” I look
over my shoulder and give him a casual smile, letting him know I’m
only half serious.

“Maybe,” he returns coyly. There’s a twinkle
in his eye. As usual, he’s goading me.

“Oh? I see your manners haven’t improved.” I
twist the rosebud from the bush and bring it to my nose, inhaling
deeply. The scent is heady and intoxicating.

“You owe me a rematch,” he says simply. “We
never did get to finish our last session. Unless you aren’t up to
it?”

My pulse quickens at the thought of our last
match. I recall the slap that ended things early and the sensuous
kiss that brought it on. I part my lips to reply and think better
of it. I feel a grin spread over my face, confident for the first
time that it will be Nik who yields.

J.J. Bonds is an avid reader, writer, and
blogger. J.J. grew up in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and, after a few
years of city living has returned to her quiet hometown, where her
passion for writing and all things paranormal keeps life
interesting. Crossroads is her debut novel and the first in the
Crossroads Academy trilogy. J.J. is currently working on book two
of the series with the loving support of her husband and the many
distractions provided her two rambunctious dogs.

To connect with J.J. online, visit
http://www.jjbonds.com
or
http://www.facebook.com/jjbondsfanpage
.