The walk to the law building felt like a march to my own end. My skin was still buzzing from what happened in the library. I couldn't stop thinking about the man with the glass eyes and the way Jax had changed right in front of me. I was done. I couldn't be a prize or a scholarship asset anymore. I just wanted to be a normal girl who studied for exams and didn't have to worry about monsters in suits.
I didn't bother knocking this time. I pushed open Alaric’s office door, my breathing heavy and fast.
He was sitting behind his desk, leaning back with a pen in his hand. He didn't look surprised to see me. He just watched me with that dark look that usually made my legs feel weak. But today, I stayed upright. I didn't let myself shake.
"Elena," he said. His voice was calm, but I could hear
