As I followed Declan into his office, the tension between us was palpable. The door closed with a soft click, and for a moment, we just stared at each other, the weight of our unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.
Declan's carefully constructed facade crumbled. "Elena, you cannot be here? I don't know why I let you live the compound for a start. " he hissed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not safe."
I crossed my arms, defiant. "I'm getting an education, Professor. Isn't that what you always wanted for me?"
"You know that's not what I mean," he growled, his eyes flashing with frustration. "Your grandmother's spirit-"
"Is my problem to deal with," I cut him off. "You lost the right to make decisions for me when you lied to me, when you-" I choked on the words, the pain still t
