Page 230

Miles watched me with amusement.

Of course. He was playing with me, fooling me, wanting me to break the rules.

But it wouldn't come to that. I would make him pay for this...

“You've gone crazy!” I blurted out.

Only now did I feel the book in my hands.

I looked down.

Scratches ran across the cover.

What had he made me do?

Shaking my head, I turned around and wanted to leave.

“It's adorable how hard you're trying to hide it.”

I stopped, clenching my throbbing free hand into a fist.

“Whatever you think you are, Miles. You have no power over me.” I spun around, glaring at him furiously. “None whatsoever!”

His expression turned serious.

“You cried. Because of me.”

A weight on my chest I hadn’t known existed grew heavier.

Did he have to remind me of that evening? Did he have to be right?

“Your powers...” I wanted to protest angrily, but Miles was quicker.

“...were not necessary to throw you off balance so far.”

He stepped toward me, his expression more serious than usual, which sent a wave of fear through my gut.

I fought against the thought that he was anything more to me than my reckless, idiotic rival.

“And that night…”

Now it was me who interrupted him.

“I’d like to banish that night from my memory!” I lowered my angry voice, hoping that no one had spotted us yet. “You ruined it for me!” I shook my head in exasperation and lifted the law book. “Fine, I cried.” I would have preferred to curse myself, slam the book against his chest, and then turn my back on him, but I had to remain strong and find another plausible sounding explanation for my behavior at this ridiculous ball. “But not because of you, Miles!”

All I wanted was to forget about the winter ball because that memory was enough to make me question everything I had ever thought about my life in Blairville and the Code. It was like poison for the life I was destined to lead, and I couldn't let that happen.

“As you wish, Emely.” Miles raised his arms and stepped back. “Then let's play the lying game.”

I raised my free hand and showed him my middle finger.

“Fuck you, Miles!”

Miles turned to leave, finally turning away from me.

“Have fun studying,” he hummed completely relaxed, before disappearing around the shelves.

Office Talk