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I shrug. “I don’t know. First, I have the move, and I have no idea what to expect once I’m living with the Fabricis. But I hope I’ll still be able to see Noah. I need to talk to him as soon as I can.”
Not just about Ayden but about the library too. I’m hoping we’ll soon find the next clue to help us in our search.
Kate and I leave the locker room, and I flinch when I see a figure leaning against the opposite wall. What the hell is he doing here? I guess he didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to escort me to hell personally. That would be just like him.
Alfredo eyes me with a cool smile, arms folded across his chest. “There you are, finally. I thought you’d never show up.” He pushes himself off the wall and slowly walks toward me. “Okay, let’s do this.”
His tone is so chilling and overtly gleeful, and I feel the rage seething in the pit of my stomach. But I refuse to be intimidated.
“What, your family sent you as a minder?! Don’t you have staff for that?”
“Oh, we do, don’t worry. But I wanted to have the pleasure of escorting you personally.”
Trying not to let on how horrified I am by this, I start walking.
“Well, let’s not waste time then. Since you’re here, you can help me pack and carry things. Kate,” I say, turning to my friend, “are you coming too? I could use an extra pair of hands.”
She nods, and I march confidently down the corridor. But on the inside, I’m feeling something else entirely. My heart is hammering, and I still can’t believe I have to leave what’s come to feel like home. But whatever happens, I won’t show any weakness.
Kate and I head to my room with Alfredo strolling along behind us. He seems pretty smug about the whole situation. I hope I can at least ruin his mood a little.
On the way, my thoughts quickly wander to Ayden. He couldn’t come to training today because he had business with the hunters. He said he’d come by later before it was time for me to leave. But none of us realized it would be this early. So I hope I’ll still get to see him. Leaving without saying goodbye to him would be extremely hard for me.
When I get to my room, I unlock the door without hesitation, go inside, and open my closet. I start removing clothes and turn to Alfredo with a pile of t-shirts. “I hope you brought some boxes.”
“Everything’s taken care of.” Alfredo is standing by the door, leaning against the wall and looking at me with an expression of satisfaction. I feel like wiping that smirk off his face.
Right on cue, three men suddenly appear. They enter my room and place several boxes in front of me. I bite my lip, pull myself together, and start packing things in the boxes. At least the three guys have the decency to wait outside until the first box is full and they can take it away. Alfredo, on the other hand, knows no shame and stands there watching me the whole time, obviously enjoying the situation.
At some point, I can’t stand it any longer and turn to him. “Are you going to make yourself useful? I doubt you were sent here just so you can stand around idly in the corner!”
I throw him a book to pack into one of the boxes – secretly hoping that it’ll take him by surprise and fall on his foot or something. Unfortunately, he has astonishingly good reflexes, but he can’t hide his consternation.
“Come on,” I order him before he has a chance to say anything. “Then it’ll go faster.” Not that I really want it to, but the main thing is to stop him from staring at me.
And he actually starts helping, taking a few books off a shelf and placing them in a box. Kate’s helping too, although I can tell she’s deliberately taking her time. I wish I could delay my departure indefinitely, but at some point, the last item is packed and taken away by the three men.
“Time to say your goodbyes,” says Alfredo.
I glance at the door in the hope of seeing Ayden. But I guess he’s still busy with the hunters. I try to comfort myself with the fact that I’ll see him in school tomorrow, although I know it won’t be the same. I wish I could hear his soothing voice one last time before I leave. But I have no choice but to bury my emotions deep inside me and not let them show.
I hug Kate and squeeze her tight.
“I’m going to miss you so much,” she says quietly, blinking away a couple of tears.
“It won’t be forever,” I say, trying to cheer her up with a smile. “And I’ll see you tomorrow.” But I know what she means, and it’s not easy for me either.
“Take care of yourself and don’t let them bully you. You have to tell me everything tomorrow.”
“I will,” I reply, giving her one more squeeze before I go.
A luxury limousine is waiting for us in the parking lot. There’s no sign of my stuff. I assume it was taken away in a van with more space than this fancy car. Alfredo sits opposite me but doesn’t say a word during the entire ride, which is fine by me. I stare out of the window and anticipate our arrival.
It’s not long before I see the stately mansion ahead. The car stops directly in front of the entrance. Alfredo escorts me inside, where a member of staff is waiting to receive us.
“Please show Miss Franklin to her room and explain everything to her.” With that, he turns and leaves.
Hmm, I guess he’s had his fun, and now he’s giving me the cold shoulder. Fine by me. I can do without his company.
