“Welcome to Russia. I’m Andrei.” He juts a hand out for me to shake.
“Serafina. I’m?—”
“Leaving.”
We both jump at Lev’s intrusion. His scowl is locked on Andrei as he paces down the front steps. The sun catches on his mismatched hair, highlighting a rainbow of shades.
Andrei side-steps me. “Ser. You asked to see me.”
“Da,”he drawls, placing himself between the soldier and me. The protectiveness around his own staff seems a bit much, but, given his tenseness, now doesn’t seem like the best time to make that point. His eyes rove over me before moving to Andrei. “Walk with me to the garage. I have an errand for you. Serafina, stay.”
Like a dog?
The two walk away, but after a few minutes, Lev returns alone, driving a black car. He stops at the edge of the driveway for me to get in.
His silence continues for the trip to the university. Music blasts loud enough to avoid conversation, making for a slightly uncomfortable ride. I stare out the window, taking in the Moscow atmosphere as woods eventually shift to the city with unique architecture.
He’s still wordless during the textbook pick-up, hovering by the counter as I speak with staff. He takes my books before I can ask or attempt to lug them around myself.
“I want to look around and figure out where my classes are,” I tell him—practically asking—as I rush to catch up to his long strides. “Maybe find a coffee shop.”
Even that doesn’t get a reaction.
He follows like a shadow, glaring at everyone as we move through the buildings, using the map the admissions department emailed early this morning and the signs on the walls to find my lecture halls and science labs.
After an hour, we’re back in the vehicle. Lev is a person who prefers to say what’s on his mind, so there’s no point in notsaying what’s on mine. “What’s wrong? You’ve been an ass since this morning.”
“It doesn’t matter.” His fingers tap the steering wheel. One, two, one…
“It does.”
“It doesn’t,” he repeats, his jaw a rigid line. “You’re here for a specific purpose. Talking to you was never part of the deal. We’re not friends.”
It’s a slap after everything I’ve admitted, after all his kindness, that sends my heart spiralling and water lining my eyes. Shock numbs my tongue until there’s nothing to do but settle in the seat and stare out the window, using the sun to burn away my tears. Tears he doesn’t deserve after that comment.
It reminds me that Zeno is correct. This world isn’t meant for me. Its rules are confusing.
And stupid.
At the mansion, Lev deposits my books in the doorway of my bedroom and disappears like fire nips at his heels. He leaves me completely alone, since Vanessa and Anastasia seem to still be out.
After lugging the books further inside the room, I phone Madre, updating her on everything since arriving and finding something positive about today—how pretty the new university is.
The call goes well but ends too soon. Lying in the middle of my bed, I can literally feel boredom creeping up. The one person I want to be around seems to not share the same feeling.
My phone vibrates, cutting off the desire to cry again as the ride home creeps into my memories, Lev’s voice echoing through the heart he hollowed. His behaviour was…strange. Stranger than typical. Whether or not he considers us friends, he’s always been kind.
Him. Amara. Everyone is so fucking weird lately. Maybe it’s something I’m doing.
Lev
Could you come to the basement?
Me
…Seriously? After the car
Lev
