Ivory Dove: A Dark Paranormal Romance (Den of Serpents Book 2) by Quinn Blackbird

Author:Quinn Blackbird [Blackbird, Quinn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-09-07T16:00:00+00:00

5

* * *

x________________x

It’s no surprise that the Blood Magic training went as poorly as my recent grades on my unfinished essays. And yet, for once, I’m not exactly dwelling on my most recent failure.

My mind is split.

Split between Samael and Domenic.

That nonsensical spring has snuck back into my steps as I skip up the staircases and, taking advantage of the quiet hour, swing myself around the landings.

I try not to think too much on it. Overcomplications come with the overthinking territory, and I’m not about to throw myself into yet another boiling, bubbling cauldron of anxiety.

Knight and Vampire. Can’t happen. The laws say so, as does society.

But we can be friends, right?

No laws against that.

I mean, really, that’s what we are. I doubt he looks at me as more than that. He doesn’t see beyond white eyes (contact lenses, in my case, but still), the pallor of my hair, my painted-porcelain skin.

And yet, a small smile is stubborn on my mouth when I think of him.

I have a remedy for this—

To remove the smile, the skip in my step, I think of the other one.

Samael.

He’s always had this effect on me. Just the thought of him sours my mood, reflected on the scrunch of my face.

But now—now my mind is thrown to the ghoul I saw. Like no ghoul I’ve ever seen before. Of course, like Vamps, they can be made. No ghouls are born that way. It comes after death—a discovery made when Fae, long ago, tried their hand at resurrections. Didn’t go as planned, obviously—and now, we know that select Vampires (the Valics) can play around with this necromancy.

It's disturbing. Always creeped me out. Chills me to the bone, if I’m honest. I just don’t feel it’s natural.

And, something about it makes me question the fate of their souls. Are their souls stuck in their rotting, decaying bodies? Trapped between worlds, unable to pass on? Or gone already?

I don’t know, but it’s the look in their glazed eyes, a look of anguish, that I can’t shake.

I despise Samael for it, for his Blood Magic, and for his skill over it. It’s like he’s devoid of any compassion, whatsoever.

And that ghoul, the one I walked in on, bothers me. So fresh. So new and—her eyes.

Despite what Aldon assured me of, I have a prickling suspicion that I can’t shake. I just…

Would Samael kill a human to turn it into a ghoul?

Yes, there’s no doubt in my mind that he would do that.

But, would Coach Aldon cover for him, help him do this?

That might be the most disturbing piece of my doubts.

I freeze—

Hand on the banister, foot extended and hovering over the ledge of the final landing, I’m motionless as my brother’s voice whispers out from around the corner.

His hushed tone comes from the corridor leading to the tower, “I caught three. The second one was balding, so there isn’t much hair to work with.”

“It’s not enough,” hisses a sharp reply, like a serrated blade. I recognise that voice, that anger and threat within it.

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