Page 51 of A University of Betrayal

Instead of his elegant coat, he was wearing a black shirt and tracksuit bottoms. At that moment, I recognized similarities to Bastien, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

“You,”Miles said. His look seemed... hateful? Why? Should I be scared now?

“Do you have a problem, kid?” the man asked sternly.

I still felt uneasy at the thought that he seemed to live here too. But what did I have to fear? Wasn’t I just like him now? A criminal monster with secrets?

“You bet I have,” Miles cursed loudly and stepped closer.

I stood motionless. Waiting and watching could hardly hurt.

“Isn’t this fucking mansion big enough to keep your ass away from me?”

“No,Milliam, I’m simply fulfilling my duties.”

Milliam?

Miles seemed to be struggling for composure, as if he had issues with the guy. And I preferred to stay out of it.

“Don’t make me laugh.” Miles sounded like he was trying really hard to control himself. “Get out of here!”

“That’s not going to happen,” the man replied, unimpressed, and went to the modern weapon rack to pull a black bag out of one of the holders. He looked at me before he threw the bag, which I caught, somewhat overwhelmed.

“Follow me.”

I looked at Miles, who was staring after him motionless.

“Now,” the man called, and I reluctantly moved forward.

Should I actually follow him? Would he train me? Wasn’t Bastien supposed to do that? I wasn’t at all comfortable being confronted by this guy.

Miles grabbed my arm and I looked up at him. “You stay here.”

Then everything happened very quickly. The guy suddenly stood in front of both of us, ripped Miles’ hand off my arm and threw him against the wall. Swords clattered to the floor and Miles got to his feet to take a run-up and go for the guy. But he dodged skillfully and Miles flew into something loaded with weapons again. Cursing, Miles straightened up and lunged, pulling a knife out of nowhere.

Another shadow flitted through the hall. It was Bastien. He grabbed Miles’ wrist, stopping him before he could make a successful attack on the guy.

Someone here seemed to have serious aggression issues.

“Miles, calm down,” Bastien said sternly, yet in a calm voice, as if he were speaking to an animal.

“He’s everywhere I am, and now what he wants is her!” Miles pointed at me and I looked from the two of them to the guy who seemed to be eyeing me intensely. He looked at least fifteen years older than me.

Confused, I looked back at Bastien and Miles.

“I gave him the order.”

Miles tore himself away from Bastien, snorting in bewilderment. “Howcouldyou?!”

“After consulting with the head of the clan, I had no other choice.”

Miles looked Bastien angrily in the eye.

“You can’t control yourself,” he said, and it sounded as if that fact was a crime.

Miles snorted and looked to me. There was a lot in his gaze. Anger, regret, pity? Then he disappeared as quickly as Bastien had arrived.

Wait...Was he leaving me alone now? With Bastien and...

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