I remembered the day I’d eavesdropped, listening to Tobias try to convince James to stay in Woodvine with me. I remembered the kindness in his eyes when he told James he understood his feelings for me.

It was then that James had finally learned what had happened to his mother. Tobias had driven her away, unable to treat her in the brutal way that was expected of him. He said he understood James’s predicament completely. He couldn’t bear to have his son tormented with the decision, so he’d encouraged James to stay in Woodvine. The thought that the Elders, or more likely their lackeys, would do anything to hurt such a tender soul caused my blood to burn through my veins.

I committed to retribution on the spot.

“James is taking care of Tobias now, and it’s bought me some time. He’s given me a month.”

“You won’t need it,” I said, standing.

Knox grabbed my wrist. “Where do you think you’re going?”

It hit me like a slap in the face. The reminder that outsiders could only venture to Judaculla during a full moon. There were still a couple of weeks before that happened.

“Everything okay, Leathal?” Victor had appeared without my noticing. He saw the way Knox held my arm, then stepped a little closer.

“New kid,” I said, gently removing my arm from Knox’s grasp.

When I introduced them, Victor made no move to shake Knox’s hand, which was so unlike the friendliest boy I’d ever known. Knox eyed Victor up and down before scoffing. Victor gave a wide grin, and I recognized his, “Let’s see it then,” expression.

I cleared my throat, hoping to diffuse the situation before Knox gave Victor a reason to throw the first punch.

“Are you ready?” I asked Victor.

This threw him off. We hadn’t planned on riding home together; had barely spoken since the break-up. My question distracted him long enough to break the tension.

“Yeah,” he said, stepping between Knox and me. He slipped his hand in mine.

Knox gave me a disapproving look. “Thanks for the tour,” he said before stalking off.

I’d have to talk with him, make him understand I wasn’t being unfaithful to James. “I’ll show you the rest of the campus tomorrow,” I said, desperate to avoid a misunderstanding about my relationship with Victor.

Knox gave a noncommittal wave. I watched as he lumbered over to…James’s black Hummer. If he was driving James’s car, he was probably staying at James’s house. I linked arms with Victor, hustling him to his BMW.

Victor opened my door for me before sliding into the driver’s seat. It was a miracle, but he somehow managed to be the first in the cue to leave the lot.

“Maybe you should text Anamae,” Victor suggested. “She’s probably waiting for you.”