Page 4 of Vicious Knight

“Knowing you’re going to study music at one of the best colleges in this world makes up for us missing each other.” Levgen taps my head the same way he used to when I was little. “I know you’re going to do amazing at Raventhorn.”

“Thank you.”

“My God, I’m going to cry again.” Mom chuckles, but her eyes hold a sheen of tears.

“I know just the thing we need.” Levgen looks from Mom to me with a spark in his eyes. “How about I fix us some hot fudge sundaes?”

“I would love that.” I grin back at him.

“Anything for you, sweet girl.” Levgen dips his head and leaves us.

Mom pulls up a chair and plants herself beside me.

“Talk to me, Ivy.” She scans my face, looking at me again with a poignant stare. “How are you really feeling? I’m already missing you and I can’t believe my little girl is going off to college, but at least I have Levgen to comfort me.”

“I’m just nervous, but I’ll be okay.”

“And you’re worrying about Raventhorn again?” She raises her brows inquisitively.

There’s no point lying even if I want to because my mother can always see straight through me. “I’m trying not to.”

“I know you wanted to go to Juilliard or Berklee, but you understand why you have to attend Raventhorn, right?” She holds my gaze with the same intensity she’s shown me over the million times we’ve spoken about Raventhorn.

“I understand.”

Raventhorn is an elite college all the heirs of the Knights are required to attend. Heirs like me.

The Knights are a secret society that has always governed our lives. As Levgen is a senior member, it’s mandatory that I study at Raventhorn.

Although they accept students whose families are allies with the Knights, like those in the Bratva and Italian mafia, the majority of students there come from Knight families like mine.

“Raventhorn is just as good as Juilliard or Berklee.” Mom leans forward and takes my hands into hers.

“I know, but it’s the Knights who worry me. Going to Raventhorn means being around the same people we’ve tried to keep our secrets from all these years.”

Mom stares back at me, wordless. She knows I’m right. And that I have every reason to be worried.

If anyone were to find out that the two of us are alive when we’re supposed to be dead, and that my real father is a convicted Knight, it would be the end of all of us.

“Levgen has put his life on the line to make sure that neither of us have to worry about the past ever again. You don’t even need to think about it.”

“It’s on my mind because I’ve never been around these people without you.”

She looks me over with understanding and gives my hands a gentle squeeze. “Just remember everything we told you and you’ll be absolutely fine.”

“The three warnings.” I speak with reflection, showing her I remember.

“Yes.”

When Mom and Levgen got married they gave me the ‘safety talk’. The talk I will need to remember for the rest of my life. From time to time Mom gives me a reminder of those warnings when she thinks I need it. Like now.

Number one: Stay focused.

Number two: Never mention my father to anyone and keep the old life I had as Annika Bershov buried with the past.

Number three: Avoid anyone with the surname Ivanov.

That’s the one that worries me most.

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