Page 102 of Outcast’s Vow

A careful pause.

“Yes.”

“Is it someone I know you currently hate?”

Fabien clenches his fists.

“No comment.”

Of course, I know who it is. But I don’t even mention Jolie’s name. I don’t dare to.

Even between us, there are secrets that could tear us apart.

Choose the love of his life, or ruin his brotherhood?

It’s a choice I’m glad I’ve never had to make.

How can Fabien so readily admit to love when I flinch from it?

“It seems like we’re both in the shit,” I remark.

Fabien looks ahead, his fists still clenched.

“Too right, Baptiste. Too fucking right.”

38

SYLVIE

My writing reaches the end of the page. I flip over and, without stopping, continue pouring out my thoughts in one mad scrawl. I haven’t looked up from my notebooks and textbooks in hours.

Why should I? I’m on a roll here.

I’m sitting in a small study room in the basement of my university campus. No windows, just concrete. Ever since I discovered this little nook a few weeks ago, I’ve practically made it my second home. My sanctuary. Being down here, with the freedom to get away from the busy and demanding world above, has allowed me to simply work.

I can usually count on this study room being empty, but today there’s another student quietly doing their own work in the other corner.

Soon, there’s the sound of chair legs shuffling against the hard ground. The girl in the corner is packing up her things and leaving. The door swings shut behind her.

And now I am alone.

I yawn and stretch my arm out, granting myself a moment’s break.

But my solitude doesn’t last for long. The door swings back open. I turn my attention back down to my notebook. From the heaviness of the footsteps, I guess the new visitor is a man. Anyone is free to use these study rooms, so I’m not annoyed. I shouldn’t be.

But the man, whoever he is, starts to act strangely. I don’t look up at him, but I can sense he hasn’t moved from the doorway. He hasn’t sat down. He hasn’t, as this room’s title implies, started studying.

The air has changed. My skin prickles. Something’s wrong. He really hasn’t moved.

I can hear heavy breathing.

I finally dare glance up.

And my heart stops.

Because I recognize this man. I know my ex’s face in an instant.

Ethan Thornton.