JULIANA'S POV
I knew she was staying home today. Just one late class. My brothers left for campus, tense and angry, but I made up an excuse about checking on some research. The truth was humming through my blood like a constant pull. Jessica. The bond was a persistent ache, like a string tied around my ribs pulling me toward her room.
I waited downstairs, listening. No sound from upstairs. No footsteps on the floor. She should be awake by now.
"Jessica?" I called out softly. Nothing.
A trickle of worry cut through everything else. I took the stairs two at a time, my heart starting to pound for reasons that had nothing to do with running. Her door was slightly open. I pushed it wider.
And I stopped breathing.
She was on the bed. Naked. The sheet was tangled around her hips, but her ba
