Page 127 of A University of Betrayal

“Thank you,” was all I’d been able to reply tonelessly before I’d rushed back to my room and spent an hour under the hot shower.

Tristan had given me a motorcycle and equipment…

I had refused to train with my supposed father all week. He was a monster. He had killed our mother and made sure I learned what it meant to live on the streets. And now I’d ended up here with the rest of his messed-up relatives on a gigantic estate in a town that was far too wild with paranormal creatures. And all that was left of my family was said father, two uncles – one who seemed to work for the mafia and one who I had almost slept with – unknowingly about the truth – and an idiotically annoying twin brother.

And then everyone was so respectful when it came to Bastien...

Make sureBastiendoesn’t find out.Bastienis responsible. IfBastienknew,Bastienwould...Bastien, Bastien, Bastien.

If there was one thing I had realized, it was that this extremely attractive man had a special position, which, in my eyes - unlike Adrian – he had earned. I was told that he had already survived many dangerous missions, was the head of a specific FBI department – the so-called DUIO in Blairville – and had been personally trained by the head of the clan. Which brought us to the only person with a higher position than Bastien.

Alan Wake

Petri Alanko

“Nobody jokes with him. Absolutelyno one.”

“I get it,” I said, rolling my eyes as I forced myself into the tight dress. Another one of those princess things that suited me, but I didn’t really feel comfortable in.

“Why...” I pulled the fabric over my hips. “Do you always have to be dressed...” I bent so I could pull it up over the rest of my body. “So fucking fancy?”

I heard a laugh from the door, where Miles was waiting for me.

“Argh!” I gasped out loud.

I couldn’t manage to close the dress.

“You’re having trouble putting on a dress? I thought you were a girl.”

I tried again and snorted angrily when I couldn’t manage it.

“If you don’t shut up, I’m going to put you in one of those dresses!” I cursed as I still couldn’t get a grip on the zipper.

Miles just laughed, but I skillfully ignored his remarks and turned my attention to the shoes. Another burden.

I admired Camille, how she walked around like a model all the time, sometimes in designer suits, sometimes in skin-tight dresses, without slipping or getting her clothes dirty. She wore all types of heels and boots like a goddamn fashion queen.

“We have to go, Larissa.”

I angrily threw a shoe against the ajar door. “Shut up and help me.”

“Are you naked?” Miles asked seriously, and I yanked the door open.

His face wandered over the dress I was wearing without staring for an uncomfortably long time.

“Camille seems to know what suits you, sis.”

“Don’t call me that, and you better zipper the damn thing up!” I turned around, annoyed, and let Miles zip it up. Then I turned back to him and he grinned mischievously at me.

“Don’t laugh so stupidly.”

“It’s just really weird having a sister all of a sudden.”

I laughed and picked up my high heels. “Don’tyoucomplain about anything being weird. Mywhole lifehas changed overnight, and I can no longer separate reality from illusion. I no longersleep,Iburnmyself onsilver jewelry,I’m no longer hungry, but I cravebloodintensely every three days and a bunch of rich snobs are holding me captive against my will. Thatyouare supposed to be my twin brother is the least of it.”

I slipped the black velvet pumps over my feet and straightened up to check my reflection. I still hadn’t gotten used to how intense everything looked, every single color. My dress was black and red this time, as was half of my evening wardrobe.

“You’ll get used to it.”

---