Chapter 19
With a plan in place, Hendrik and Dante both finally agreed on something. We’d bust Jess out and with her help, as well as the cooperation of Hendrik’s Mages, lure Calamity into one of the Hell realms.
Unfortunately, this meant we’d need Kaito’s assistance as well.
Calamity wasn’t a soulless entity, but took on a physical manifestation by influencing an individual.
We’d need to find out who was the Conduit for the Third Echo and get them to Hell as well.
Of course, Kaito already had his suspects based on his research.
Were there any secrets he wasn’t hiding?
Now that I had a use for my mentor, I would give him a chance to redeem himself. All of my Virtues had their flaws, but if they could be redeemed, then maybe there was hope for me yet.
Hendrik went to his Mages to work out the new plan while Dante and I went to Kaito’s office.
A sense of urgency spurred my feet. I kept looking over my shoulder, wondering if we were being followed, but I didn’t see anyone aside from the normal wandering of students and the occasional shifter chase.
“What’s wrong?” Dante asked, his voice low and his hand on the hilt of his weapon as we walked at a fast pace.
“Nothing,” I said as I clutched myself against the icy breeze. The weather was only getting worse and my breath puffed in tiny clouds in front of my face. Why did Kaito’s office have to be so damn far?
Dante narrowed his eyes down at me, but he didn’t offer his coat this time. “You really need to learn to dress for the weather, even if I do admire the view.” His gaze went to my taut nipples about to poke through my thin uniform sweater.
I rolled my eyes. “Keep it in your pants, Hunter.”
“If you’ll keep it in your shirt,” he countered, opening the door for me to the counselor’s office.
I stuck my tongue out at him as I walked inside, because yeah, I’m mature like that.
When we arrived at Kaito’s office, I didn’t bother knocking. I barged into the room and crossed my arms.
My mentor was as hot as always, leaning over a desk with his lean form wrapped up in an expensive suit like he was a present just waiting to be opened.
His hair flopped over on one side today, grazing his tattoo that ran up his left cheek.
His silver eyes flashed up to meet mine and a smile spread out on his face.
He leaned back in his chair and tucked a thumb into the hem of his pants.
Why’d he have to be so gorgeous?
“Stop being sexy,” I chided him. “I’m trying to be mad at you.”
He gave me a wink. “Glad to see you’ve made it back from Heaven, Koneko-chan.” He raked his gaze over my body, pointedly admiring my breasts. “Did it hurt when you fell?”
I rolled my eyes. “Let me know when you’re done with the pathetic pickup lines so we can get on with business.”
Dante rounded me and crossed his arms, wasting no time to berate my mentor. “I know you bonded with her, Kaito.” His jaw flexed as fresh rage flashed in his eyes. “You said we’d approach that together when she was ready.”
Kaito bit the end of his pen, contemplating his response. That was my Kaito, always calm and calculated. “How’d you find out?”
“Doesn’t fucking matter how I found out. You lied to me, and now she’s bonded to three of her Virtues. She’s not ready, Kaito!”
“I know,” he said calmly as he got up and sat on the edge of his desk.
“I can feel them, of course.” His lip twitched and I realized he was about to divulge a rare truth.
Maybe it was because Dante was his friend, or perhaps he’d gain something from pissing the Hunter off.
“I’ve been blocking your connection so you wouldn’t feel it.
I needed her to bond with the others, first, and I knew if I told you that you’d go all Hunter and try to take her before any of us got a chance.
” He clicked his tongue. “We have enough testosterone in the mate-circle as it is. I needed you out of the way until she bonded with me, as well as the Dark Mage.” He glanced at me.
“Well done, by the way. I didn’t think you had it in you. ”
“What the actual fuck, Kaito?” I asked, growling as I slammed both hands onto his thighs.
“You’ve lied to us. You kept Dante in the dark, and then you failed to mention that I am the reason supernaturals have lost their memories, as well as key details of your research that pertains to me.
Don’t you think I deserve to know? Why keep it from me? ”
My demonspawn claws pricked at my fingertips, wanting to shred him into pieces.
My succubus side, however, wanted to taste the succulent lust he offered as he drew me between his legs.
“Koneko-chan, gomen nasai—I’m so sorry,” he said, cupping my chin and angling me up to look at him. “I was trying to protect you.”
I wanted to believe him so badly. His love for me flowed through our Virtue connection without restraint, slamming into me like a waterfall. My mouth parted on a gasp as I felt it.
Was this just another ploy to get in my good graces? Maybe he knew how to manipulate the Virtue connection, too.
“There’s more darkness in you than light, and I more than anyone else understands how difficult that can be.
” He paused for effect and I wondered if he would finally divulge what kind of supernatural creature he was, but he continued, “I want to give you the chance to uncover the truth for yourself. If I tell you everything, then it’ll lose all impact.
” He pressed a light kiss to my mouth, pulling away as he stroked my cheek.
“Do you feel stronger now that you learned the answers on your own without my help?”
It was true, I did feel empowered, but I couldn’t also help but feel betrayed.
Yet, when I looked into Kaito’s silver eyes, I saw my mentor and lover looking back at me.
He wanted me to truly learn who I was without his intervention.
He knew that when his student uncovered the answers on her own, the victory was all the sweeter and that was a gift he wanted for me.
In his own way, he was trying to help me.
“I don’t buy your bullshit,” Dante growled, shoving Kaito’s shoulder and sending him toppling to the floor.
I pressed a hand to Dante’s chest. “It’s okay. Leave him be.”
Dante growled, but backed off.
“Tell us who the Conduit is so I don’t have to look at your face a second longer,” the Hunter said, his tone taking on that familiar emotionless quality that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
Kaito’s brow shot up. “Why do you want to know that?”
Dante looked at me, and I nodded. I wasn’t going to be like Kaito and keep secrets.
I told him what I had learned in Heaven and about our plan to lure Calamity to the Hell realms. Hell was good at imprisoning things.
Merlin had already done some of the work for us getting us close to one of Hell’s outer realms, so once we had Jess on our side, we could jump ship.
Unlike me, she was a full-blooded demonspawn and would be able to make sure we got to Hell in one piece.
But we needed to know who the Conduit was first, or all of this would be for nothing.
Kaito sighed, having taken to one of his chairs as he pondered our proposal. “This isn’t how the prophecy said Calamity would be beaten. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“I’m not looking for your approval,” I snapped. “Tell me who the Conduit is or I’ll dig it out of you.” I had the Claw, and a hell of a succubus kick, so I was sure that a little bit of interrogation was well within my abilities. And
His lip twitched again, although he looked more amused than frightened of me.
“All right, Koneko-chan, if you want to do it this way, I’ll tell you.
” He straightened, then blew out a long breath.
“My list of suspects included Hendrik, Olivia, and the Dean.” He bobbed his head.
“Given that Hendrik is one of your Virtues, and Olivia was deemed worthy to be gifted a new soul as you mentioned, then that leaves our obvious choice.”
I rubbed my temples.
Well, shit.