aids told them that Selena and Lucian had play

much about because the parents involved were people with enough money and influence to make even the law bend for them. The Knights understoo

wn on others. They didn't tell her exactly how they handled bullying in their school, but they had given her their word, and Moraine was going to h

on such a soft, silky, expensive mattress before. The ones

she got out of bed, brushed

what touched her the most was the picture of her parents hanging on the wall beside her bed. She was incredibly grateful to the Knights for everything they had done

new simply because they had met her once? She finished getting ready, made her bed out of habit, and went t

alked for a while. He was still a little closed off, but he was much better than before. He had even suggested that they play a video game together.

tering. And wait until I tell you to come in." She had agreed. But she had knocked three times. He hadn't answered. So technically, she had a good reason to enter. At least, that was what sh

pened his eyes and immediate

in my room?"

door. "I'll wait for you at the table. Don't take

kfast table when Selena arrived. She exchanged greeting

slightly. She had known her aunt would leave the next morning, but s

mediately. She pull

," she assured her. "And I'll

ainst her should

later, Lucian

rtbreak prince who had accidentally wandered into breakfast. She caught herself staring. Then she realized Moraine had caught

The Knights had already arranged for the previous driver

. "And never let anyone trample on you. Even though they have given me t

ast hug before walking away. Selena stood there

et Claire and Katie. They met during one of their first classes, and somehow, the three girls clicked almost immediately. Before long, they were inseparable. They went everywhere together. The

a particular problem with Kati

ing escalated into an ac

, stop!" Cla

e to complain that we're disturbing the pea

cian's jealousy began to crack the stable friendship they had built. It wasn't enough to destroy it. But Selena noticed the difference. The following year was their s

ferently one afternoon when she adm

listens to you, righ

shrugge

t like a complete

'm special." Clai

." There were othe

her. The way he always saved her a seat. The

nd to think that he was jealous when his parents wanted her to j

. She didn't want to ruin their fri

he main topic of conversation. Selena, Claire, a

nced her friends to choose their university partly because Lucian had once said he l

aine's city. The city was known for several excellent educational institutions, academic programs, libraries, and opportunities that could be useful to students preparing for univers

already evening. Everyone stayed at the hotel for the night. Selena, however, took a ride to Moraine's old address. She had been there once before, the previous year, when the Knights had accompanied her, b

t Moraine called you

na explained wh

go back to the hotel and settle down. I'm going to

t night, she barely slept. The

s fine," h

th she didn't realize

nal school conference trip. She'l

wned. "Thr

a reasonable time in her time zone." Selena thanked him and hung up.

and Claire tried asking her what was wrong. Katie refused to say anything. Eventual

d Selena were mostly confined to their rooms because they ha

ply instructed the maids to take food

nt looking for Claire and Katie. But when she asked their homeroom teacher, she was told that both girls had finished their exams on time

ai

before we left," Claire said.

ern grew. "Wh

okay? There's something I need to

aiting, she couldn't help noticing tha

all. He spent most of his time upstairs and wasn't even hanging around the gaming room an

came over later that day. The moment Sele

e had been crying. Selena looked

or behind them.Then

n weeks p