Page 45 of Lost and Bound

“Prior to our meeting, I would have been confident in suggesting that the virus is similar to influenza, with patients suffering high temperatures, coughs, and body aches.” Augustus takes a moment to connect his device to the projector in the room. A comprehensive graph fills the screen, and he fiddles with the settings until the data is easy to read. “You can see for yourself the number of students now sick, the symptoms they display, and the longevity of the virus. Day four, which is today, is when things become interesting. We’re working off data obtained only hours ago, but it’s conclusive.”

He walks over to the screen, his finger pointing out what he has just detailed. When the next slide comes up, there’s a moment of silence as he lets everyone read the information for themselves before he explains.

“By nature, a virus typically peaks on day three to five, but what we saw was that the virus itself changed. Since we were observing it so closely, we were able to detect the smallest variations as they occurred on a fundamental level. In doing so, our initial analysis that we were working with a human-borne virus changed as well.”

Roberts butts in, his very nature making him impatient. “Something else?”

In truth, he only just beat me from interrupting and asking the same question. Given the way he glances down the table at me and smiles triumphantly, he knows it too.

“Yes. As I mentioned, it is early in our investigation, but at the same time, I am confident that we are not wrong in our findings. This virus has been magikally manifested.”

All eyes fly to Ballin. “That’s ridiculous. What benefit would this be to me?”

I laugh, and Alpha Roberts does too, because Ballin is as obvious as obvious can be. In any situation, his first reaction always defers to himself; there’s never consideration for anyone else. I leave him glowering at being called out, turning the focus back to where it needs to be.

“Is there a risk of the virus spreading across campus?” I ask, wanting to keep us on track.

“Seeing what we have today, I would suggest there is.” Duke Amon sits back in his seat. His fingers temple in front of him, making him look very much like the demon he is. “We’ve isolated Nomina House, surely that’s enough.”

“Not all the students,” Maddern interjects quietly.

As the Master of Nomina House, and the being in charge of Noms at Thales, he should have the best information at hand, but unlike his peers in this room, he does not have an assertive bone in his body.

The man literally shrinks in his seat when his comment draws the focus of everyone in attendance. His eyes stay glued to his screen, and the vein on his neck beats as his pulse skyrockets. “We have eight Noms who have shown no sign of getting sick.”

“How are you isolating them?” I ask.

He startles at my question, and his head drops even further. The poor man really is out of his depth in a room full of predators.

One on one, he’s more than capable, even when two on one, but he goes to water when facing a crowd. Some of the faculty enjoy the way he can’t look his peers in the eye; it triggers their predatory nature. In shifters, particularly Alphas, it manifests differently, and our protectiveness surges. It’s not always appropriate, but it’s as much a part of our genetic makeup as our ability to shift.

Callista leans over and pats his shoulder while Alpha Roberts and I both put some distance between us and him, hoping he can continue.

With everyone now more conscious of their actions and being careful not to stare him down, Maddern holds his confidence and keeps his eyes glued to the information in front of him. “We closed off the floors where most of the affected students live. Though we had to implement a guard to stand watch, when other Houses were demanding access to their commissioned Noms.”

“We’ll need a list of who breached the isolation zone,” Augustus says, as soon as he can interject without appearing pushy.

“I have that already. We were also concerned about the potential for the virus to spread.” Maddern slides a list of names to the vampire.

“Not as many as I thought,” Augustus adds, passing the note around. “At this stage, we believe isolation should be for a minimum of thirty-six hours. Each House Master will be responsible for following up with their students and putting in place the necessary protocol. The last thing we need is Thales to be ground zero for some sickness that spreads through Quin-state.”

“We’ll also need to consider travel restrictions,” Maddern offers sensibly.

“Agreed,” Roberts barks back before Ballin can argue against the precaution. “So, why have we got some Noms not yet showing any symptoms?”

Everyone shifts their focus to Augustus, knowing he would already have theories on this phenomenon.

“We suspect commissioning is interrupting the spread of the virus. Considering that we have Council grading coming up, we’re spending a lot of time discerning ways to ensure our students don’t suffer because of the sickness. One way or another, Thales will maintain its impeccable rank. Maddern and I have been in close communication since patient zero started showing symptoms, and it seems commissioning is the answer. Out of the group of healthy Noms, all bar one is in an approved arrangement.”

His comment about Thales maintaining our ranking is a constant consideration and stressor for the faculty. Funding from Council and our shareholders is based upon the academy continuing to hold the top position within Quin-state. Without question, we push our students hard to maintain our near-perfect grade average. Thales was the first learning institute to utilize Noms in its curriculum. Quickly we saw grades improving, units became more cohesive, and better equipped for life after graduation. Simply put, our students achieved far greater success than those from other academies.

“And the one Nom not included?” Roberts presses impatiently.

“Is our newest enrollee,” Augustus answers, and then turns to face me.

My stomach drops. “Don’t look at me like that,” I warn, already getting an inkling of where this conversation is going.

The vampire elder ignores my bluster and continues. “I understand that at a recent training session, Cane, the new student was commissioned as your Nom.”