Elemental Darkness (Paranormal Public Series) by Maddy Edwards Read Free Book Online Page B

dryly. “I’m sure Lisabelle would agree.”
    We were still in the middle of our conversation when there was a knock at the door.
    “I told Rake to come over at some point,” Sip explained. “Probably him.” She hopped up to answer the door, and indeed, there stood the big vampire, his large frame blocking out most of the light from the quiet hallway.
    “Come in,” said Sip, nodding a greeting. “What took you so long?”
    The burly vampire smiled and ducked his head under the doorway. He waved a greeting to Lough and me, then sat in Sip’s desk chair.
    “What’d I miss?” he asked, looking around.
    “I’m worried that Mound will have a field day once he finds out where Lisabelle is and why she’s there. Because he will find out,” I explained, not wasting any time.
    “Do you think he’ll know?” Rake asked curiously.
    “I think the story is getting around campus,” I said. “It’s only a matter of time before he hears about it and starts putting it into print.”
    “I’m surprised the Tabble is still active,” said Rake, frowning. “I’m surprised the Nocturns haven’t taken it down yet. I’m sure they’d love to.”
    Sip nodded. “That’s another thing we can’t let happen. We have to communicate with each other.”
    “I’m not sure they want to take it down,” said Lough. “I’m not just arguing with you for the sake of it. I’m arguing with you because you’re wrong.”
    “The demons might be just as interested in keeping the Tabble operating properly,” said Sip thoughtfully. “The Tabble at this point has devolved into nothing much but fearfulness, and with Mound spouting off all kinds of stuff about supporting Malle and giving her a job, they probably want it to go out to paranormals every day.”
    “That’s a scary thought,” said Lough. “It almost means we should close the Tabble just to stop the spread of propaganda.”
    “We can’t give in,” said Sip vehemently, hitting her fist against her hand for emphasis. “Other paranormals need to know what’s happening, and they need to stay strong. They have to support President Caid and the Sign of Six.”
    The conversation started to die down, but there was one more thing I was fretting about.
    “I’m afraid Lisabelle’s sacrifice is my fault,” I said quietly. “I worry that if I don’t push my other friends away I won’t have any friends left.”
    “You can’t think like that,” Sip cautioned. “It hurts too much. Lisabelle is the most independent of all of us. If she wanted to go, she’d go.”
    “She’d never have had the idea of going if it hadn’t been for me,” I said bleakly. “You know it’s true.”
    “I know no such thing,” said Sip hotly. “Stop being foolish. She’s said it herself. Without us she would have gone over to darkness a long time ago.”
    “Maybe,” I said. It was true. I couldn’t see Lisabelle as a housewife.
    “Alright,” said Sip, squaring her shoulders and straightening her spine. She suddenly looked more confident and powerful, older. “We’re all going to get some sleep - in our own dorms. We aren’t all going to sleep in the same place because we’ve been cowed into fear by the demons. Charlotte can take care of herself. She controls lightning, for paranormal’s sake. Tomorrow, when we’ve all had a little rest, I’m going to try again to get into the library. I’m sure President Oliva will want to speak with us, and hopefully Professor Dacer will have some time as well. It’s going to be a busy day.
    “Charlotte,” said Sip, turning to me, “I know it’ll be hard, but we should also try to discuss Malle with Professor Erikson. She might have an idea who the darkness premier really is.”
    “Alright,” I said, “anything is worth a shot at this point.”
    It was still mid-afternoon, but we all looked desperately tired. Sip disappeared for a short time and came back with snacks: apples, grapes, crackers, cheese, and assorted