Shadow of the Brotherhood (The Gateway Trackers Book 10) by E.E. Holmes

Author:E.E. Holmes [Holmes, E.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fairhaven Press
Published: 2024-04-23T00:00:00+00:00

14

HIDE AND SEEK

Imanaged a restless couple of hours tossing and turning before Finn and Rana returned. The rest of the day passed in a haze brought on by a powerful cocktail of guilt, fear, and frustration. It was hard to say which part was the worst, but I’d say having to relive the discovery of the body—first to the guards again in their office, then to the dean of students with Clarissa MacLeod on speakerphone, then to Catriona and Hannah, and everyone else we had to fill in—was pretty close to the top of the list.

The dean of students was a tall, square-shouldered Durupinen named Margaret Robertson, a cousin of the MacLeods of course, because nowhere like in the Northern Clans was nepotism thriving so openly. Dean Robertson’s reaction to the news that a student was murdered on her watch was predictably protective.

“Clarissa, I really think we ought to shut down the campus and send the students home. If this Alasdair is responsible, the threat to the student population is ongoing,” she said, her voice somewhat shrill from the stress.

“Keep your head, Margaret. Of course we’re not shutting down the campus. Can you imagine the publicity? The rumors? Absolutely not.”

“But Clarissa⁠—”

“But what? Do you really think Kingshurst can withstand the level of public scrutiny we will get if this news spreads? The code of secrecy will not allow us to take such a step.”

“But then, what do we do?” Dean Robertson demanded.

“You craft a statement that makes the student’s death sound like an accident, and you distribute that to the wider campus. To the clan students and staff, we can likely stand to share some more details, whatever information we think might help to put them on their guard. And in the meantime, we increase security on campus. I’ve no doubt we can call up some Caomhnóir from Skye Príosún to increase night patrols.”

“That sounds an awful lot like you think the code of secrecy is more important than keeping people safe,” I ground out.

There was the slightest of pauses on the other end of the line before Clarissa answered me, each word frostier than the last.

“The code of secrecy and protecting people are not mutually exclusive, Miss Ballard. Nothing could be more dangerous than the Durupinen being discovered for what we are, and I will not risk it.”

There was nothing we could do. As Finn pointed out, the Trackers and the Council would no doubt back her up. And I knew she had a point, even if I didn’t like it. All I could do was be grateful that Tia, at least, had protection; and I was able to tell her enough to ensure she didn’t go anywhere on campus alone, and certainly not at night. Of course, what I actually wanted her to do was pack up her shit and leave immediately, if not sooner, but again, I was overruled.

“Jess, I have worked too hard for too long to simply walk away from this opportunity,” Tia said, frowning

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