“That’s exactly what I intend to find out,” I say, matching the gravity in Matteo’s voice. “I don’t know Family politics the way you do, but I know enough to say that Jag is—”

“Jag is your father’s father, your grandfather,” he says judgmentally.

“Do we share some of the same genes? Yes,” I say, my defensiveness ratcheting up a notch. “But don’t you dare suggest I’m anything like him or the Lions. He killed my mom, and our aunt. The Lions are hunting my dad. They’re trying to kill me. And as far as I can tell, they would be happy to take out Layla, Ines, and the rest of the talented students at this school, making all of Strategia bow to their will. Meanwhile everything I’ve been doing at this school has been aimed at stopping them.”

He grunts. “Everything you’ve done here has been to save your own butt.”

For a second, I’m silent. He’s not right, but he’s also not wrong.

“So your plan is to what? To challenge the Lions by yourself? Or maybe you and your traitor father will team up,” he says flippantly, “if they haven’t killed him already, that is.”

“Geez, Matteo,” I say, taken aback. “Can you be any more of an ass? You expect me to understand how deeply your friend’s death has affected you, but you can’t sympathize with the fact that I’m scared for my dad?” I shake my head at him disapprovingly. “At least he’s doing something. At least I am. What are you doing?”

Matteo’s face falls and he rubs his hand over his forehead. He takes a few steps away from me. “You’re right,” he says, and his voice loses its edge. “That was uncalled for.”

I watch him. Underneath his temper and his grief, I catch a glimpse of someone decent. And for a few seconds we stand there awkwardly, neither of us sure how to proceed in the absence of our usual ire.

“Where are you going in Europe?” he finally asks.

“I’m starting in the UK,” I say.

He nods like he assumed as much. “Who else knows you’re leaving?”

“Ash, Layla, and Blackwood,” I say.

He watches me with a searching expression. “And Ash is going with you,” he says, and I look at him sideways.

Did the way I said Ash’s name give that away or was it something in my body language? “He is,” I say reluctantly, and as the words leave my mouth, I’m surprised at how easily I’m telling him things. I have no reason to trust Matteo, do I?

“And I’m assuming you’re here because you want my help,” Matteo continues.