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My heart contracted painfully.

This was the worst possible time to think about J. These thoughts almost made me take the ring back. But what was I supposed to do with my mother's countless rings? At least one of them was finding a use.

I held out my hand and gave it to Julie. Fortunately, she took it, even though she also hesitated for a second.

“To suppress your powers,” I explained quickly and cleared my throat, ashamed of myself.

What would J say about this?

I forcefully pushed the last thought of J aside and tried to concentrate on the present.

“But I warn you.” My voice was serious. “You can't wear it in the temple or in front of the Quatura. They'll ask questions if you suddenly don't have a Quatura aura anymore.”

Julie nodded slowly.

“Thank you...” she finally said and put the ring in the pocket of her gray pants.

The frustration returned.

I hated it when she thanked me. It reminded me that I was being far too friendly with her, even though she had blackmailed me and even threatened me with J.

“Don't mention it,” I muttered quickly and turned away from her to sort through the things on my desk.

“That's your family, right?” I looked up at the picture of Mom, Dad, Delilah, and Dylan. “Where are they? Are they hiding from the Circle too?”

Paralyzed by Julie's unexpected questions, I stared at my twin brother's cheerful face and the playful sparkle in my little sister's eyes.

She would never know how cruel this world really was.

Anger built up inside me, multiplying.

I furrowed my brow and looked up.

“They're not hiding.” Julie looked up too. “They never had a reason to hide.” None of my words managed to express the anger and hatred inside me, so I clenched my hands into fists again. “The Councils took them from me.” Anger coursed through my veins. “And I will destroy them. Every. Single. One of them.”

Hastily, I gathered my things and tidied up my desk so as not to let my anger completely overwhelm me. Julie's stare didn't make it any easier.

I didn't know why I was being so honest, why I was telling her all this, making myself so vulnerable. Maybe because we were bound by an oath?

Damn it, I should have kept my mouth shut.

“I'm sorry...”

I paused.

Every bit of anger I had just released built up again, and I looked up, already wanting to tell her to get out of here because I wanted to be alone and throw something against the wall, but I paused when I saw Julie's glassy eyes.

A tear rolled down her cheek.

Stunned, I stared at her. And my anger disappeared.

“Why are you crying?”

Julie blinked, avoiding my gaze, and immediately wiped the tear from her face.

“I don't know...” she sniffed quietly. “I'm sorry. I...”

She spun around and tried to head for the door. I was quicker, circled around her, and pushed myself in front of the door.