“Avy,” Vlad said softly, his expression growing serious. “You might as well tell us what’s bothering you.”

“Why should I?”

“Because I want to help,” Vlad said.

I looked at my best friend, who was nodding vigorously, then moved my gaze to Vlad, who practically looked like he was ready to slay a dragon for me. “Fine,” I said.

All the secrets I had been keeping from my best friend were eating away at me, and there was no way for me to tell her all my fears without breaching the nondisclosure agreement that I had signed. I decided to take my chances. I told them about the incident with the scary woman in the jail, then the troubling phone call I had answered for my dad, and finally about the weird encounter I had had with the caller with the strange tattoo. Kris gasped every now and then while Vlad listened intently as I went on, the lines on his forehead seeming to deepen with every passing minute.

“I don’t know if it is a coincidence, but Adrian said he thought he saw a bald man watching us earlier.” I shuddered. “This man referred to me as ‘the girl,’ and now he might be following me. He probably knows I’m here. I’m really getting freaked out.”

Worry flashed across Vlad’s face. “You shouldn’t be alone at any time,” he said.

As much as the situation was bothering me, I wasn’t about to let Vlad swoop in and take charge. “I think I’ve proven I can handle being alone.”

Vlad let out an exasperated sigh. He probably already knew that I wouldn’t agree with him so easily. “I’m serious.”

“Well, me too.”

His voice was stern as he said, “It’s not about proving that you can handle being alone. It’s about you being safe. I’ll accompany you around Court from now on and make sure this guy keeps his distance.”

“Look, General, I’m not a damsel in distress, so you can put your shining armor away, okay.”

He gritted his teeth, and by the way his hands curled into fists, I could tell he was close to the edge. “What is wrong with you? Stop being so stubborn.”

“What’s wrong with me? Not much. My mom had me tested.” I shrugged nonchalantly. I wasn’t trying to antagonize him, but he was acting like it was his decision to make, and it made me feel like he thought of me as a weak little girl who knew nothing. I understood how potentially dangerous this situation was, but that didn’t mean I would let him go back to his patronizing ways.

“Your life could be at stake!” His voice was getting louder and I was worried his parents might hear us.

“And I told you, I can take care of myself,” I said.