Page 392

I bit my lower lip.

They were actually talking about Quentin.

A slight tingling sensation danced through my stomach. Warm and pleasant... far too pleasant.

“Don't be ridiculous, Kelly. The rules of Vanderwood University strictly forbid professors from getting involved with students,” Vivienna laughed in a warning tone. “That professor would never risk his position.”

I looked down at my baby bump and an uncomfortable feeling spread through me.

Of course, I was aware of the new, stricter rules that Harlow had implemented, but until now, I hadn't considered that they applied to me. Neither Quentin nor I were to blame for this.

How had I been supposed to know that Erik was a professor at Vanderwood? Would it have made a difference? Would he have let me go? And would I have been able to simply turn off my feelings for him?

The knowledge deep inside me that I would probably have fallen in love with him anyway only made my feelings of guilt grow. Even if everything were perfect, even if my powers or my heritage weren't standing between us, even then there would still be his position at Vanderwood. I would be endangering his job.

My gaze fixed on the slight bump on my stomach, clearly visible under my white blouse.

I was already endangering him...

“Please don't be so stupid and risk your place at the university,” Vivienna sighed.

Great. Now I was even risking my place at Vanderwood. But what was an illegal baby compared to Silvar's death?

I pushed the thought aside, not needing those memories right now.

“Of all people, your annoying cousin got an internship with him at the DLSC,” Amber hissed, and I flinched. “And that, even though the guy tears her apart every single time.”

“The professor tears Julie apart?” Grace exclaimed, alarmed.

I couldn't stand them talking about him anymore. This strange feeling that I had to defend him and myself came over me, so I straightened up and took the last few steps down the stairs.

Grateful that Salma was flowing through my veins, I entered the ground floor with my head held high, my gaze cold and expressionless, until I forced myself to smile, knowing it didn't reach my eyes.

“Some people earn their positions through their achievements rather than their looks.”

Kelly recoiled and almost tripped over Vivienna's white velvet pumps. Grace just stared at me, her gaze unreadable. Amber was the only one who regained her composure, crossing her arms under her black fur coat and taking a step forward.

“Look who's found her self-confidence.” Her gaze wandered to my belly, and for a second, I felt the urge to hold my hands protectively over my child, but I resisted the urge. “Are you getting big-headed about your powers now?” She laughed. “Do you think that just because you're dangerous, you can talk to us?”

Buddy appeared next to me and pranced around me. Someone upstairs must have let him out.

I tried to hold Amber's gaze, which was only possible because of the Salma.

Would I ever be strong enough to function without Salma? I knew the answer. Gloria had broken me. There was no without Salma.

“Leave her alone, Amber,” Grace said tonelessly. “I don’t want to end up like Silvar.”

Ouch.

Grace avoided my gaze, grabbed her new Prada handbag, and strutted toward the door.

“Grace is right,” Vivienna laughed quietly, also breaking out of her stupor. “Come on, girls.” She followed Grace to the door. “The guys from the baseball team won’t wait forever.” She opened the door and actually let Grace go first, causing Amber to roll her eyes. “And I’m not going to miss out on their votes in the election.”

Kelly scurried after them in her pink stiletto heels, not without turning around repeatedly with her eyes wide open, as if I might jump on her at any second.

Only Amber hesitated, her facial muscles tense, but as always, I found it difficult to interpret her expressions.

I was pretty sure she was trying to bury me with her gaze before she slammed the front door behind her and strutted after the other girls across the snow-covered boardwalk.