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“Did you lock yourself out again?” Jenny asks, drawing his attention back to her.

The guy grimaces. “Yeah.”

“Fine.” She sighs. “We’ll go to my office after I walk Nix back.”

I wave her off. “We’re literally here.”

“You’re sure?”

I nod. “You can watch me walk in.”

“Fine, but if that man of yours gets upset over it, I’m blaming you.”

“Totally fair.” I take a step away, toward the front of Bates Hall. “Once my class starts, I’ll send him over with your dessert.”

The guy silently watches us and turns a little paler at each mention of Volik.

I’m smiling to myself as I enter my building.

It really has been the most insane three weeks of my life, but also probably the best.

As I unlock my classroom door, I appreciate the new art display hanging in the hallway. They’ve popped up all over campus. Some sort of competition between art classes. I think we can vote online, but I’ve been happy to just enjoy the pops of color.

Turning the lights on, I look up at the clock.

Henry must’ve been chatty at lunch if Volik’s not back yet.

I’m thinking about my mate, and the reminder of blondies, when I register the sound of heels clicking down the hallway.

I make a face to myself as I cross to my desk, thinking about uncomfortable shoes.

After my old scars disappeared, it was clear that I had expedited healing. But when I accidentally cut myself on a glass I broke yesterday, it’s equally clear that I still have the easily injured skin of a human. Not Volik’s nearly impenetrable hide.

The heel clicking gets louder.

Setting my bag on the desk, I turn, expecting to watch someone pass by my open doorway.

But no one passes by.

Nope.

They stop at my door. And then my heart thuds rapidly as I watch my mother step into my classroom.

Chapter 98

Volik

My heartbeat jumps.

I stop inside the bakery, halfway between the door and the counter.

My heartbeat does not slow.

Another half second.

It’s still racing.

I spin and reach the door in two strides.