Page 270 of A University of Betrayal

Miles laughed, causing my stomach to do a strange flip, as if I’d swallowed the fireflies from the stream bank. “Sounds like that woman had a death wish, though.”

“Right!” I snorted. “Just like all of you!”

I noticed Miles’ gaze on me more intensely. What was his problem? Couldn’t he leave me alone?

Then I realized what his problem was. I had justagreed with him.

Frustration at myself spread through me, along with a slight heat in my cheeks.

“That woman was so much further ahead than the people here in Blairville. She had so many ideas and questioned so much. And I’m convinced by now that it’s really stupid to make such a drama because of our different genetics.”

Bayla sounded like she meant it.

“You just don’t want to be separated from your little friend,” I pressed out.

“Emely. Can we talk for a minute?”

I looked at Julian, who gestured me to come over. I eyed the girls suspiciously for a moment, but then turned to Julian, who led me further back into the second part of the big old two-room office.

When we arrived at the other end by the grand stone fireplace, I looked around for the others. Larissa and Bayla seemed to be deep in conversation while Julie was bending down to open one of the drawers. And then there was Miles... He was watching us both.

“Can you make an exception for me?” Julian began.

He seemed to have forgotten how he had behaved toward me earlier...

I crossed my arms. “So that your witch friend turns everything upside down, andIend up getting into all the trouble?”

I watched in despair as Bayla and Larissa continued to rummage again, quickly looking back down at the files they held in their hands when they realized I was watching them.

“She has no bad intentions, trust me. Her mother has some kind of secrets, and she just needs information.”

I looked back at Julian.

Since when was he so interested in what the Quaturaneeded?Was I a joke to him?

But more importantly... “Keep Alarik out of this.”

“We can’t. He does play a significant role.”

He wasn’t wrong. Alarik had been part of every diary entry. If anyone knew anything about this witch, it washim.But maybe he had moved on from her? It was his pastfor a reason...

“Aren’t you interested in what happened back then?”

Julian had hit the nail on the head.Of courseI was interested, even if I didn’t want to be.

“Areyou?”I asked, trying not to let on and heard a quiet, amused snort of laughter from the door.

No,I wouldn’t look at him now.

“By now I am,” Julian whispered, and it sounded sincere.

I looked at him, irritated. “Didn’t you want distance from this drama? Isn’t that the reason you keep giving me for why you won’t join the pack?”

Julian crossed his arms. His expression darkened.

He was uncomfortable. So once again I had crossed his line. A line which I didn’t understand. The usual...

I snorted. “Fine, look for that woman, but please not at my uncle’s office!”

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