The Secrets Of Dragons: Book One

Chapter 12

The days during the week were beginning to run together like vivid watercolor, and I more or less got caught up in the routine of it. Morning alarm. Coffee. Classes. Studying with Elsie. Monitoring Gio. Dinner with Ryker. Homework. Sleep. Nightmares. Ryker consoling me. And repeat. It was a loop that started fresh at three in the morning. The birds wouldn't even be out. The moon still shining. I didn't know whether I liked the routine, but I followed it damn well for Giovanni's sake. I thought monitoring him would be an around the clock gig. But he didn't really go anywhere on his own. He mostly stuck close to Ryker, probably at the push of his brother, but he never strayed too far from the group. He had as many parties as the next guy, but he always had them at his apartment instead of going out. Part of me wondered if he knew about the cameras I had set up.

The weekends were just the same. Friday nights at Tony's for the evening, but we decided leaving earlier would be better at least while we had to be present for football on Saturdays. Sunday's were spent in Elsie's company. Leo purring away on my lap. Somehow, Ryker always managed to give me the slip on Friday's after we would reach home, but I had a plan to see what he was up to. I just had to wait for the right moment. Gio would leave with him and at first, I didn't think anything of it, but now I was curious.

Elsie and I were becoming closer and closer. I didn't really mean for it to happen, but she was more than just a cover for information now. We spent most of our free-time together, and her cat, Leo, has a fondness for me. Before I knew it, October was already turning the leaves in the trees. You couldn't go anywhere without the autumn chill settling in your bones, and less and less students were caught outside without sweaters or coats. The Northeastern corner of our world was a cruel mistress when it came to the cold.

This particular Friday was no exception to the rest as Ryker made the same quiet escape as he always did when he thought I was sleeping, and Giovanni's front door pinged on my computer. I uncovered myself from my blanket, having chosen to hide being fully clothed in case Ryker ever thought to stop and see if I was actually sleeping or not. I tightened my boot strings and grabbed the keys to my bike, along with my helmet just in case they were leaving campus.

When I made it downstairs, I froze around the corner from hushed voices and peered around the edge, trying to keep quiet to not raise any alarms. Ryker and Giovanni stood in the archway of the entrance, casually talking. Ryker had a set of keys in his hand that he was looping around one finger and I had to physically think back. I had never seen him drive. I didn't even know he owned a car. I mean it wasn't that unusual, but it's been over a month since the semester started and I still hadn't known that he had a vehicle.

My breath hitched when another familiar face joined them.

Abraham.

My eyes narrowed as I studied the man I didn't really care for. He was tall, about the same height as Ryker, but his hair was curly and full. It probably hung lower than mine if he took it down, but it was up in its usual bun at the back of his head. He was tan compared to us natives that were born and bred up here. I never really got any information from Elsie other than that she agreed with me that he was a complete douche. It was in the air around him. It demanded obedience and submission. Exactly the type of man I try to stay away from, albeit
Dominik Black.

They all seemed curiously friendly with one another, so I assumed this was the regular meet up. It was a wonder why Giovanni never mentioned it to me, but as a double-edged sword, he probably didn't want me to spoil all of his fun. My presence looming over an evening; well, I could see why he wouldn't. Black would have me gutted if he knew I was letting his youngest son sneak away every weekend right under my very nose.

They all departed together and hopped into a truck. I could only figure that it had to be Abraham's. Ryker had jumped into the passenger seat. When they slowly made their way to the entrance of the parking lot, I bolted for my bike, throwing my helmet on quickly before my bike purred with life. I took off after them, trying to keep enough distance that they wouldn't notice me, but I could still keep them in my sights.