I froze. It wasn’t a Halloween costume. It was a Barbie gothic dress I’d customized with thousands of ribbons before Grandma had told me that a career in fashion wasn’t meant for me. My father never talked about me to boys, but he did with Sylas for some reason. He must approve of him.
“I didn’t mean to embarrass you,” he added, facing my silence. “I just want you to know, if you need a friendly face to talk to, I’m here. The first week is often overwhelming, with the classes and picking a club.”
“Thank you, Sylas. I appreciate it.” I smiled back at him. “I actually had one question about the club. Do you know where I could sign up for the choir? I promised my father.”
First years had to choose a club, one that would fit well on their résumé, or, in my case, one that would assure my father that I wouldn’t forsake my Catholic upbringing.
“Inside the dining hall during meal times. They also perform every Sunday.” He took a step forward, lowering his voice. “Between us, I ended up joining a club my father insisted on. Fencing. It’s a big deal here. Super competitive, like how American football is for other universities.”
Dad used to have a picture of Mom in her fencing attire by his bedside table. He had locked it inside his drawer after I kept asking more questions about her. “My mom used to do competitive fencing. She was pretty good, but she stopped to become a midwife.”
Fencing seemed way more exciting than choir, but I could still hear my father’s voice in my head, warning me to stay out of trouble.
“If you’d like, we could—”
The atmosphere in the room grew tense as an all-too-familiar presence cut through our conversation like a blade slicing the air.
Levi.
His stance was confident, arms crossed as he leaned nonchalantly against the door, one step away from entering my dorm in his signature all-black outfit. His gaze fixated intensely on Sylas before soaring over to mine.
“Nice to see you again, little thief,” he said with a hint of sardonic amusement. “Don’t stop your conversation on my behalf. I’m sure this was all heart-warming and entertaining.”
I couldn’t contain the sharp narrowing of my eyes. “Stop calling me that.”
“You shouldn’t be here, Levi. This is Unifier territory,” Sylas threatened, crossing his arms.
“Why so hostile?” A chuckle clawed its way out, forced and artificial. “I’m only here because Tara asked for a meeting with the four heads of the houses. We all know how Tara gets, so don’t force me to drag you there myself because I will.”
Sylas’s jaw clenched. “Fine.” He gave me a brief nod before retreating into the hallway. “Aren’t you coming? You’re the head of a house too; it comes with responsibility.” His words were directed at Levi, but Levi’s attention was on me.
“I’m just wrapping up a loose end over here.”
“I thought you’d be above intimidating a first-year student,” Sylas defied.
“I think you’re underestimating her. She doesn’t sound defenseless to me, right, Dalia?”
It was the first time he’d called me Dalia, and it sounded like needles coming through his mouth. I lifted my head. “I’ll be fine.”
Without uttering a word, Sylas departed, leaving Levi and me alone. That was my chance to mend the rift between us.
I took a small step toward him. “Look, Levi—”
“Who gave you the right to call me by my first name? You haven’t earned it yet.”
I shook my head. “This is ridiculous.”
“You can call me your grace. I’ll allow it,” he said, tilting his head to the side.
“I’m sorry.” The words spilled out, fearing he might interrupt. “I never meant to hurt you, nor to take Lucie away from you, or…”Kissing you and not being able to confess the truth, resulting in my father destroying the last and most precious memory of your mother.“I never knew the consequences would be this big. You lied for me that day, and I remained silent. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to make amends.”
Levi’s eyes gleamed with a sinister light, and he straightened from the door. “Whatever it takes, huh?”
My throat tightened, and I craned my neck up to him. “Yes.”
“Be careful of promises you cannot keep, or I might force you into them, and I have a pretty wicked imagination.” He scanned every feature of my face as if searching for any sign of fear. “Would you beg for my forgiveness on your knees and do as I ask?”
Chills crept down my spine. “Humiliating me won’t change a thing.”
