Page 29 of In Shadows We Dance

I hold my breath.

Silence.

Nothing happens.

Eight-oh-five ticks past. Eight-ten.

The tension eases, just a fraction. My shoulders start to relax as eight-fifteen approaches. Maybe it was just another mind game, another way to get under my skin. Maybe he won't actually come.

Eight-twenty.

I let out a long sigh of relief, my body sagging as I finally allow myself to believe it's over.

A firm knock on the front door stops my heart.

"I'll get it," Dad calls from the living room.

I can't breathe. I can't move from my desk chair. My heart slams against my ribs as I strain to hear above the pounding in my ears.

"Can I help you?" Dad's voice carries that edge I recognize from whenever strangers approach us.

"Good evening, Mr. Moreno." Wren's smooth voice driftsdown the hall, and my stomach drops.

Oh no.

"My name is Wren Carlisle. I'm here to see Ileana."

Oh no no no.

My hand clamps over my mouth to stifle a scream.

This isn't happening. This can't be happening.

"She didn't mention expecting visitors."

"School project," Wren says, cheerful in a way I've never heard before. "We were assigned as partners at the start of the week. Won't take long—ten minutes at most."

The silence stretches, heavy with Dad's suspicion. I can picture his face, the way his eyes narrow while he’s assessing what to say next.

"It's too late. Talk to her at school tomorrow."

The door closes with finality, and I sag in relief. Footsteps approach my room, and I quickly bend over my textbook just as Dad enters.

"Why is a boy at the door asking for you?"

I school my expression into mild curiosity before looking up. "A boy? Who?"

"Wren something. He mentioned a project." Dad's mouth sets in a hard line. "What have I told you about getting involved with people?"

"I'm not! I don't know why he came. He must have been mistaken about who he’s supposed to be working with."

Dad stares at me for a long moment, while my heart tries to break free from my chest. I hold my breath, bracing for him to call me out.

"I'll remind the school tomorrow that you're not to do joint projects."

Once he leaves, I press my hands against my face, trying to steady my breathing. It's over. Wren tried his power play and failed. If I'm lucky, he'll leave me alone now.

A soft tap at the window shatters that illusion.

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