Page 285 of A University of Betrayal

“We should also start thinking about where we’re going to get our dresses,” Larissa said from the couch area. “I mean, does Thursday work for you guys?”

“I still have to look. There’s a lot to study,” I said briefly.

Larissa laughed. “Julie, you study24/7.”

“Reasonable.” Emely snorted almost inaudibly.

I knew she valued her academic education a lot.

“Maybe she just doesn’t want to go shopping with a Ruisangor.”

I looked at Grace, who said something for the first time today.

“So, you’re not coming either?”

It sounded so serious from Larissa, like she was really expecting it. She already had to refrain from asking Mady because that weird Miles DeLoughrey was afraid she might kill the Campbell girl. Bayla had asked her, too, but she had never answered the text messages or the following calls from Bayla.

Grace just laughed. “I’m going with Vivienna and the girls.”

“The girls...”I said in surprise and looked at my cousin, who glared at me defiantly.

Was she trying to get back at me?

“At least with them, there’s no risk of being bitten.” Larissa wanted to protest, but Grace was quicker. “Andno,I don’t believe you that our blood doesn’t attract you. I don’t attend temple classes for nothing.”

I looked at her, in thought, while I put the fruit salad and nuts into the bowl.

Grace had access to knowledge that would forever be denied to me, and I envied her for that.

“Fine, then don’t,” Larissa said annoyed, and I noticed how Emely listened to the conversation intently.

I went to the couch, to Bay and Larissa, sat down opposite Larissa and began to eat in peace. Something that was rarely possible here.

Just at that moment, Grace rose to her feet and took her bowl to the sink, not without keeping the greatest possible distance from Emely. As she passed the couch, she stopped and looked at Bayla.

“Your next rite of passage is after the Winter Ball. The first weekend of the new year. Until then, you should say goodbye to your friend, because from then on, you’re officially part of the Circle.”

Bayla froze.

“I’m not going to mess it up this time because Grace has chosen someone else to be her right hand and Gloria doesn’t want me there until I can... control my own powers,” I said as if Grace wasn’t present.

She had started it. And I was just as good at it. Even though I felt like a child every time.

“Haven’t you been part of it forever?” Larissa asked, genuinely interested.

“Yes, but my powers have changed,” I replied quickly.

I hadn’t found a way to bind Bayla’s white crystal to my elements, and now it was lying in my drawer, untouched.

“Is that normal?” Larissa leaned back in thought.

“No,” my cousin snorted.“Nothingabout her is normal.”

And then she turned away and left the house.

Bang.

I winced, as I always do when someone slammed the door.

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