Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 218: Grace: A Normal Mentor Would Be Nice

Caeriel’s face is too close, blocking most of my view. But then he steps back with a faint smile. "You’re frightened."

"I’m not," I lie to him again, realizing belatedly he might be able to smell it. Hopefully he can’t.

Either way, our encounters are not going very well.

Was it too much to ask for a normal mentor, and not someone I’m pretty sure is a psychopath? Actually, if I really want to get into it, why is everyone around me so damn weird? My own boyfriend is definitely not normal in his head, either.

Though... less terrible than I thought he was.

Which, I’m pretty sure, is not the case for Captain Grim Reaper over here.

"They’re giving their reports."

"Reports?" I stiffen immediately. "I knew it. They’re not normal animals!"

Vindication floods through my veins, sweet and sharp. See? I knew Sadie was weird. And the cat, too. Yet another situation in which my paranoia wasn’t paranoia, because it isn’t paranoia if it’s true.

Caeriel’s mouth stays curved, but his amusement feels very at my expense. "Of course not. What normal animals would dare to stay by the Lycan King?"

Hah, hah. What might be normal for him isn’t normal for me, thank you very much. I’m still adjusting to this super-supernatural world. Extrasupernatural, I guess. Though the word kind of makes me think of extraterrestrial, and they aren’t aliens.

Are they?

He looks me over, his gaze sliding from my face to my feet and back again. The tiny crease between his eyebrows deepens into a frown that makes my skin crawl.

"Still not answering? Your intellect doesn’t seem very high." His voice drops, becoming softer, almost intimate, even as his words come out cruel. "I can’t fathom what Lyrielle sees in you."

Why’s he suddenly insulting me?

Oh—the question. Right. I got sidetracked with the animals.

own issues, so I try to

say giving

cuts me off with a dismissive flick of his wrist. "It’s exactly as I

End of story.

which is frustrating. The answers are literally standing in front of me, but

the blood of a demi-god be found here?" His eyes

deflate a little, despite the defiance in my thoughts. Ultimately, the weak bow to the strong. I’m not proud of it, but I’m not stupid enough to challenge a crazy

times I mouthed off to the

as scared of him as I am

my

you,

as if speaking to a toddler. "Knowing this is a demi-god’s blood,

in his tone makes my cheeks burn. Exactly how little respect does he have for me? I’m not stupid—I just don’t have access to whatever cosmic encyclopedia of

it does bring up a couple moments with Lyre where she also... no, let’s not go there; if I don’t believe in my own intelligence, who

obviously." I avoid snapping, but can’t avoid saying it through gritted teeth to show how

eyebrows rise a fraction.

comes out tight. I wasn’t questioning the importance of demi-god blood, but

sincerity in the gesture as he explains, "I rarely have a chance

my nails into my skin. It’s official. I’m pretty sure I

have the context for any of this. Demi-gods, divine guardians, magical laundromats—this wasn’t

only highlight the limits

My molars grind together.

why would this blood

mouth off to him. Amazing how much self-esteem returns when his silver eyes aren’t boring into

says, "Is that

change it reluctantly. "If it’s found,

consider that

of him not being able

or less? Be

edge to his voice, and my ears are attuned to it like any rebellious teenager facing