Valkyrie's Harem (Academy of Immortals 1)

“Um, well, I really have no idea.”

She frowns. “Me either.”

“Do you think anyone does?”

“I think everyone else is more worried about sex and parties.”

I laugh. That seems accurate. I guess it’s the curse of having the Crusade in a school environment.

“I do have one theory, though,” Elizabeth says, drying her hands.

“What’s that?”

She looks directly at me and I notice her eyes are a pale lavender. Her tone is thoughtful when she says, “Wherever that stone is, I suspect it’s right under our noses. We’re just too oblivious to find it.”

I head to the library that afternoon with the red book tucked under my arm. I find Rupert at a table in the back, away from the door and circulation desk.

“You needed the book?” I ask, sliding it across the table.

He looks up me and the red in his hair glints in the light. “Thank you.”

I take a seat across from his. “Looking for something specific?”

“Yes,” he says, flipping through the pages. There’s a sheet of paper on the table and in an elegant, old-fashioned scrawl I see the words vampire, fae, angel, Nephilim, demon… the list goes on and on.

“What is that?” I ask.

“It’s a kill sheet. I realized at that fight last night that we really need to know the best way to kill or immobilize our enemies.”

I frown. “But isn’t everyone here immortal?”

“Immortality means you live forever—it doesn’t mean you can’t be killed. Everyone in this building has a weak spot. I’m going to make sure we know what it is.”

“And you realized this last night?”

He looks up at me, with thoughtful, hazel eyes. “If you hadn’t interfered that fight probably would have gone to the death, Hildi. None of us has ever fought a Nephilim before. We need more information.”

“The death!” I shout, then remember where I am and lower my voice to a whisper. “That’s ridiculous. Luke didn’t do anything.”

He shakes his head. “You have a lot to learn about my brothers.”

I recall the comparison he made between us and the Guardians and their protectiveness of Morgan. I still don’t know how to process that information.

“I’m not going to tell you this isn’t good information to have, but I need the guys to cool it with the protectiveness. I can take care of myself.” I lean forward. “I’m strong and quick. I know how to assess a situation and get it under control.”

“You think you have Luke under control?”

“Yes.”

“What about Marshal?”

I blink. “What about Marshal?”

“I know what you two have been up to. You’re not as discreet as you think you are.”

I stare at him, defenses caught in my throat. Rupert raises a knowing eyebrow.

“That was before we got here, Rupert, and none of your gods-damned business.”