Page 323 of A University of Betrayal

“Don’t say anything. You know who the father is, and I don’t want to talk about it.”

It was difficult to say the words, but Larissa would understand me. At least I hoped so.

Her eyes were filled with emotions that I couldn’t interpret.

“Does he know?”

“No,” I said quickly.

Larissa nodded as if she was afraid of saying the wrong thing.

“My point is that you can see it. It’s only been almost seven weeks, but you can already see it.Damn,I can’t wear this skin-tight dress.”

More tears ran down my cheeks and I thought about how well I had hidden it so far, but wondered why no one except Emely and the Ruisangors had noticed. Even though Larissa was one of them.

“You’re an adult. It’s your business,” she began carefully, looking at me with what had to be concern, as if she wanted to say more. “You shouldn’t care what anyone else thinks, believe me.”

“No, it’s not that simple,” I tried to find a start for all the things Larissa didn’t know. “My family, when they find out... the prophecy...” But my words tumbled out, forming a mess. The same mess that raged inside my head.

“What exactly did Vivienna mean when she spoke of the prophecy?” Larissa asked.

“Part of it predicts a baby descended from the strongest species that will destroy the other species.”

I could tell that she was not at all comfortable with this part of the prophecy. Neither was I.

“Where did this ridiculous prophecy come from?”

“From the gods,” I said quickly, and she raised one of her pretty eyebrows.

“And you believe in that bullshit?”

Surprised that she thought I was so naïve, I shook my head.

“No, but my family, the whole Circle, the Councils...” I looked down at my stomach, which was covered by the oversized gray hoodie. “They’re going to take it away from me... I mean, I don’t even know if I really want it, but I also don’t want to be the one to blame if Gloria raises someone to bring destruction and death to this city.”

The truth was out. If the child didn’t die inside me, it would be born,here in Blairville.I had to make a decision, now, about whether I could let that happen.

“Gloria is a dangerous woman. Anyone who messes with her has lost their mind,” I said in a shaky voice.

Larissa should never feel the wrath of this woman.No oneshould, especially not this innocent baby.

Larissa began to stroke my elbow with her pleasantly cold hand.

“Listen. Whether you want to keep it or not, you shouldn’t hide.” I found it hard to hold her gaze, because her words touched me, got far too close. “You shouldn’t miss out on this day. I’m sure it will be a wonderful memory that you won’t want to miss out on.”

“They’ll see it,” I whispered desperately, my voice breaking mid-sentence.

“Then they will see it. They’ll see us running around together.” Larissa’s look became more serious. “It’s time for something to change in this town. But you can’t do that if our generation is going to let itself be shoved around like this all the time.” She rose to her feet. “Basically, the future of this town is in our hands.”

I looked at Larissa. She was talking about promising things. Ofchange,of abetter future.But she didn’t know that sitting opposite her was the granddaughter of the devil, the daughter of the destructive that no one dared to talk about. Blood from a dark family line ran through my veins. And until now, I had tried to suppress this fact and be the quiet, obedient and controlled Julie.

“Larissa. I’m not who you think I am.”

Larissa looked to me, a soft smile playing around the corners of her mouth. “I know there’s more to you than this quiet girl who barely talks.” My breath hitched. “You shouldn’t hide that side any longer.” Another way-too-hot tear trickled down my cool cheek. “Julie, no matter what happens, I’m here, okay? You can count on me and Bayla.”

Larissa’s words sparked like a flame inside me. Barely noticeable, but the explosives inside me had been eagerly awaiting this moment for far too long.

Who was I if I continued to hide? A pathetic heap of misery. A pile of dirt for Gloria to step on? Her puppet on a string?If I went down, it would be with my head held high, not small and vulnerable.

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