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Bayla just smirked before taking another bite of pizza.

“And you really don't feel the need to drink our blood?”

I had to laugh, even though the question hit me hard.

“First of all, you both smell different than humans. There is that sweet note, and as far as I understand Bastien correctly, I could drink from you...” Bayla's smirk faded, and I had to grin. “But don't worry. I'm currently training my breathing. And you two don't smell as tempting as all those damn humans out there.” I sighed. “If only you knew.”

Julie’s gaze lingered on me, thoughtful.

Meanwhile, Bayla’s face had drained of color. She put the pizza slice back down.

Suddenly, the front door opened.

We all turned our heads.

I raised both eyebrows in surprise as a certain Senseque girl in her uniform entered the ground floor.

The black pants fit perfectly, and the traditional Vanderwood crest was prominently displayed on the pine green fabric of her knit sweater, underneath which she wore the white blouse.

“Emely?” Surprise broke through my voice, because she was the last person I had expected to see. She read all our group messages but never responded.

Emely briefly looked us over before crossing the ground floor toward the kitchen.

“Get used to me,” she sighed, sounding exhausted. “I can't sleep knowing that the four of you are snooping around in the room above my uncle's office.”

Miles wasn't on campus today. He was somewhere, wherever Miss Devil had dragged him off to again. Otherwise, we would have met in the secret room, where Bayla and Julie wanted to discuss something with us.

So far, I hadn't been able to get anything out of them.

“You’re literally part of the group now,” Bayla said, eyeing Emely, who opened the refrigerator and took out two packages of chicken.

My appetite had been dwindling over the past few weeks. I couldn't stand the sight of fruit anymore, but crispy chicken and juicy steaks made my mouth water. Just like now...

Emely turned her head to us with raised eyebrows.

“I don't like the sound of that at all.”

She looked between us, her expression full of mistrust, but it seemed as if it wasn't us she didn't trust, but rather herself.

Quickly, she turned back and snorted.

“Whatever.”

I heard a gulp and looked at Julie.

“Everything okay?”

She nodded slowly, her lips pressed together. The color had drained from her face.

“Don't tell me you still can't stand the smell of meat?” Emely called from the kitchen.

Julie sighed. “It's gotten better.”

Deep in thought, I watched as the half-grown Buddy jumped off the couch and ran into the kitchen, toward Emely, wagging his tail. When she spotted him, she paused, staring at the dog as if that would make him disappear, which it didn't.

Finally, sighing, she reached into the pan and dangled a piece of meat in the air.

“Let me guess...” she laughed. “You want that?”