Friends.
“Hey! Serafina.”
Not many people know my name, so my attention flits towards the sound—the second row in the lecture hall, where Daniil sits three seats in. He offers the empty spot beside him, and, not wanting to be rude, I accept.
“Looks like we share another class.”
“You’re an assistant in this one too?”
He chuckles, nudging his glasses back into place after they slipped down. “Nyet.I nearly failed this one, and since I’m nearing the end of my degree, I’m trying to bring up my GPA.”
The thought of doing this course a second time makes my face scrunch, and he laughs again.
“Da, exactly. Either way, this class just got a whole lot more enjoyable.” He leans closer, winks, then opens his laptop when the professor strides through the door.
Shit.
Daniil trails me like an overeager puppy, keeping up with my hasty steps—a purposeful speed in an attempt to escape him without being rude. Unfortunately, he sticks close enough that Lev, who’s seated on the floor across the hall, notices.
“Before you go—” A hand reaches for my elbow, stopping me.
Lev snaps to his feet, his vicious attention centred on where Daniil’s hand slowly releases me, the sight of death in human form drawing him backwards.
I position myself between the two men, doubtful Daniil was hired by Alessio. For now, at least, considering we’re in the middle of the hallway with too many innocent people around, Lev doesn’t need to pull bodyguard rank.
“Since you’re new, you probably haven’t gotten a chance to tour Moscow yet. I was wondering if I could offer myself up as your guide?” His lips pull into an awkward but friendly smile while he rubs the back of his neck.
“Um.” How do I say no, I’m not interested? While a tour of the city sounds great, there are other people I’d rather do that with. Lev, for one. My half-sister.
Realistically, Daniil is a good friend to keep. He’s nice and a bit funny, local, and a connection to a regular university experience. But saying yes would lead him on.
“You don’t have to answer right away, since you’re probably still settling in.” Suddenly, my phone’s ripped from my hand as the awkward Daniil is replaced by a confident one—something I truly didn’t envision, predict, or plan for. He types his name and number in my phone’s note app before handing it back. “I have to run, since my next class is all the way across campus, but think about it, would you?”
Then, he’s gone, the crowd swallowing him up.
Awareness is a flame of embarrassment across my neck, and one I’d rather not face. It’s inevitable, so with a dreaded inhale, I turn and brace for Lev’s glower. “Hey.” I keep my tone light to break his stare in Daniil’s direction, which he does after a tense ten seconds.
“Good class?” There’s an edge to his tone, but he doesn’t address what just happened.
“It was fine. Bored?”
“Let’s head to your next one.”
33
LEV
Age 14
Papa glares at me from across the room. If Anastasia notices the tension, she doesn’t comment until he exits the room and walks down the hall, out the front door. He’s going to a meeting for all the Elite members, which means he’ll be gone for a few hours, and other than my sister’s voice, all will be silent.
For once.
After a week in prison, I want my bed, a shower, and to not leave my room until Ursin’s next mission, which, according to Papa, will be tomorrow. Dimitri and I are headed somewhere—details undisclosed for now.
Anastasia launches herself at me, tightening her arms around my neck. “Thank God you’re home.”
I think I’m supposed to hug her back. I don’t know, though. It doesn’t feel like I should, despite her being my sister.
