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"Of course, Honored One Would you like for me to call the Grand Master as well?"

"No, I’ll do it myself"

"As you say, Honored One" Charles whisked out of Wlodek’s office

"Aedan, go honment from Charles before you leave"

"I will, Honored One" Aedan dipped his head to the Va member and walked out of the spacious office swiftly Wlodek released the sigh he’d been holding before lifting the phone and punching in the Grand Master’s number

"Honored One, the child has school to consider," Weldon spoke as diplomatically as he could to the Head of the Vampire Council "He is sixteen, as you recall If you wish to utilize hiues, then I deh trackers to hunt theh? He’s still a child We could exhaust hi in this area, while those he goes against are, in most cases, much older, more devious and certainly uide him," Wlodek had been neatly backed into a corner

"And I could provide so, but honestly, howhe pass the GED and then take nine hours of college courses, in addition to working part-time to cover the cost of his educational expenses" Weldon had chosen to fabricate that part, but he didn’t want Wlodek to know that Winkler had volunteered to pay for everything as long as Ashe kept his part of their bargain

"I can help with expenses, if he assists in taking down rogues," Wlodek alain, Wlodek wanted to curse over Aedan’s refusal to support his son The subject of support was a glitch--a hole in the agreened with the Vampire Council in order to have a child Nowhere did it say that he was obligated to provide for the child At the tireeround to stand on and potential enmity and possible ith the olves if he didn’t cooperate He considered punishment for Aedan, and then recalled that Ashe had shown up ier before Wlodek heaved a h

"I will speak with Winkler I think perhaps one or teekends per ht be utilized for your purposes, Honored One, as long as it does not interfere with full moons or other important activities" Weldon winked at Winkler, who sat across from him in Winkler’s private study Tho from a seat nearby Wlodek believed that Weldon was at his hoet, then it will have to be enough I will speak with you soon regarding this arrange no emotion

"Absolutely, Honored One Soon--after the full hing Thorinned It wasn’t often that Weldon had such a strong upper hand against Wlodek of the vampires Ashe, who’d hovered overhead as mist, was satisfied hat he’d heard and relocated to his old house in Star Cove Someone had told his mother he wasn’t hers--Wlodek had mentioned it when he’d first spoken with Weldon Soret that they’d interfered Meanwhile, Ashe materialized inside his old bedroom in Star Cove and studied the shelves of books He still had clothing and a few other belongings there If he gathered all of it into his et it in one trip

"Kid?" Winkler knocked lightly on the door before letting hireeted his eyes had the Dallas Pack both eyebrows Piles of books were everywhere on Ashe’s floor while clothing and other belongings were scattered across his bed Ashe was busy shelving books inside his s out of the old house," Ashe said without turning toward Winkler "Hope you don’tyour stuff"

"I ondering, too, Mr Winkler, if you’d ask my mom for the paperwork from when I was born You know, the birth certificates, the donated egg thing, the va--all of that? It’s in my dad’s old safe I doubt she reht to ask I think I want it," Ashe turned blue eyes toward Winkler’s nearly black ones

"I’ll ask," Winkler raked fingers through black hair "But I can’t pro I think she’s, well," Winkler didn’t have to finish

"Unstable, you ot that already"

"Ashe, you’re a good kid One of the best I’ve ever met You didn’t deserve any of this," Winkler said, just as softly "And I knoe haven’t been the best where you’re concerned, either, but Trajan, Trace and I, well, you’re part of us, now"

"I know Someday, I think I’d like to see Trajan and Trace’s parents They sound nice"

"They are Maybe we can invite them down, or send you home with Trace soone at the sao with you"

"I think I’d like that, Mr Winkler Just to be someplace norotten that your GED exam is Tuesday, have you?"

"No, Mr Winkler I think I can pass it, but I’ll study a little s aren’t so unsettled"

"Still ready to go tos are solidifying against the other one For now But don’t worry, we’ll get the leak eventually I can promise you that" Ashe shoved books onto the shelf harder than warranted

"Kid, I trust you I just hope we get thee"

"Yep Mr Winkler," Ashe gazed steadily at his guardian