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I didn't know if I was really that important to him, and that uncertainty hurt, but it was okay. It had to be okay.

I was there for him, would be there for him when he came back, and I hoped he knew that. He needed someone. Just like Mia needed someone.

When I didn't respond, Mia's expression softened, and one could have thought that I was the one who needed help. But I was the last person in Blairville who had serious problems and was just complaining too much, while everyone around me had either lost loved ones, suffered abuse from their supernatural family, or had already been through worse.

“I know why you're here,” she said in a lowered voice. “I would advise you to run while you still can. You're a Quatura. And don't get me wrong, I've never had anything against you, but if the Rolanows find out the truth, it won't end well for you.”

Overwhelm washed over me like a flood.

“Why are you saying that?”

Mia smiled, and there was something sad about it. “Your eyes.”

“What about my eyes?”

I blinked, hoping they weren't glowing.

“I don't know. They were purple for a moment. But it could also be that my lack of sleep is beginning to catch up with me.”

Oh, please... Not again. If this continued, I would blow my cover. But how could I get this problem under control?

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a figure appearing on the terrace, and Mia immediately stepped back, nodded to me, and turned away.

For a long time, I just stared into nothingness, internally paralyzed by Mia's words.

Just yesterday, at that strange beach party after I hadn't seen Larissa anymore, Emely had grilled me in her car about Miles showing up, and I had to lie to her. Then, this morning, Nash had confronted me again because he had seen me get out of Miles' car. It was a miracle that only he had spotted me. But the fact that I hadn't been discreet and now my body was acting up...

I should be grateful that the vein attacks had stopped since I was off Mum's pills, but it was as if, at that very moment, a cramp-like pulling sensation was traveling through my arms and all the way down to the bottom of my breastbone.

Instinctively, I looked down at my wrists.

My eyes widened when I saw the black veins protruding wildly under my skin.

What the...

Footsteps tore me out of my thoughts.

I hastily pulled my sleeves down further while the pulling sensation between my breasts grew more and more uncomfortable and I tried not to let my facial expression give away any pain.

The person from the terrace approached...

“You're the first one she's talking to,” the warm female voice reached my ear, and I couldn't help but lift my head.

“Bayla, right?”

“Yes...” I stammered quickly, trying to collect myself.

Tania smiled.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes... I...” The tears just came, and like an idiot, I turned away because I was embarrassed. “I'm sorry...”

Why did I keep apologizing for everything?

Unexpectedly, I felt her hand on my shoulder. Warm and gentle.

“It's okay.”