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Larissa looked at her, her brows still raised. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Bayla picked up her backpack, took the key from Julie's hand, and walked to the door. “I have to go to my literature lecture.”

I shook my head.

That she could still look Alarik in the eye.

Someone should tell him what he had brought into our house.

What was I thinking? It was pointless. I had to keep an eye on Bayla before she dragged us all down.

“Oh, shit.” Larissa grabbed the black leather backpack and camera bag, and followed Bayla, who had already unlocked the door. “I'm coming with you. That woman will kill me if I'm late for the Concept seminar again.” She looked back at Julie. “Take care.” And then to Miles. “See you later.”

The door closed behind the two girls.

I held my breath.

Pas De Deux

Michael Abels

Miles strode across the room toward Julie, who was still standing rooted to the spot.

“Are you afraid of me, Blair?” he asked in a dark voice, and I felt the urge to push open the closet door and position myself in front of Julie to make sure she got out of here undamaged.

She lifted her head and stared up at him.

“Will you give me a reason?”

Miles grinned, and suddenly Julie smiled too, throwing my emotions into complete confusion.

“I'm not afraid of you. Not anymore,” she eventually said in a firm voice.

Miles raised his eyebrows.

“Not even after knowing what the prophecy says?”

“You don't believe in the prophecy,” she replied absent-mindedly, shouldering her backpack.

I saw surprise in his stare.

“What makes you so sure about that?

“Otherwise, you wouldn't be here with Larissa.” Julie was about to turn away, but paused once more. “You're different, Miles, not like the rest of your family. You're like us.”

Like us. Why did that sound like something worth striving for?

Miles didn't respond to her words, but strode back to the window, undoing his undercut man bun, and the hair that reached just below his chin fell forward, covering his flawless profile.

“You should be careful that Adrian doesn't get too close to you,” he said as Julie paused in the doorway. “He does what he's told, and I don't trust my family.”

I wondered if that was true or if he was lying to Julie.

She opened the door.

Was she leaving? We hadn't talked yet. And she couldn't leave me behind while Miles was still here. Damn it.

“Trust me, Miles. I can take care of myself.”