Page 172 of A University of Betrayal

For three seconds, everyone was watching me. And that was extremely uncomfortable, so I quickly continued. “You should mind your own business.”

Vivienna seemed to be literally drilling holes into me. “But it matters.”

“Why?” I said, stepping toward her. She jerked back. “Why do you insist?”

We both stared at each other until it became noticeably uncomfortable.

Amber snorted. “She still doesn’t know anything.”

I finally broke my gaze away from Vivienna and looked at her sidekick. “What is it I don’t know?”

Would I ever know everything relevant?

“She should be starting to learn what certain things mean,” Amber just kept talking to Grace as if I didn’t exist.Polite as always...

“Did I miss something?” I now asked Grace.

“Seriously? Are you telling the girl anything at all?”

Vivienna sounded outraged.

Grace threw her arms up in the air helplessly. “She hasn’t even finished the rite of passage yet!”

I looked at Grace, stunned.

They had had the task of telling me everything.

“Pff...” Amber turned to me, rolling her eyes. “Anyway. There’s a certain prophecy. And if any of the Quatura present here are pregnant, we’d like to helpfulfillthat prophecy and report it to the Councils.”

Oh,God spare me from that ridiculous prophecy Julie had once told me about.

“A prophecy? That sounds intriguing.” Larissa had made herself comfortable on the kitchen countertop by the window so that her high boots reached over the hob.

It was a while before Grace said anything. “Leave the prophecy out of it.”

“Why?” A mocking grin pulled Amber’s full lips wide. “Aren’t you supposed to be a part of this?” Grace looked focused. And caught. “Aren’t you supposed to carry said child?” Everyone stared at Grace. “Who should we congratulate, Grace?”

Amber didn’t seem to know where the line was.

“I don’t quite understand,” I voiced my thought aloud.

How were they going to know when this prophecy came to pass?

“Believe me, I understand even less,” Larissa laughed, seeming more amused than anyone else. As if this was a game.

“A child is to be born, to a very powerful family line,” Amber hissed impatiently.

“This child shall be the downfall of all other species.”

We all turned toward the living room, where Emely had risen from the couch.

How had I forgotten her presence? She had been there the whole time. Silently. Her face was unnaturally pale.

Our eyes met.

What had she just said?

“Is that true?” I asked in astonishment.

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