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“I see. Do you believe she could do this again?”
“The one thing I cannot understand was what made her travel. I’ve been with her for the past months, and nothing ever happened.”
“It must be something connected to your parents and their house,” Mei suggested.
I texted Mom to tell me what she was doing right before Athena disappeared. I read to Mei what Mom replied: “I was using a gong for my meditation, and your dad was rocking her to sleep in her crib.”
“It must be the gong,” we both said at the same time.
“We cannot be sure,” I said. “But I’ll text Mom not to use the gong for a while, just in case.”
“Maybe you’d like to go to my dorm room? I think we should both take a rest.”
“Yes, you’re right,” I said and followed Mei to her dorm. But as we exited the café, my phone began ringing again. At first, I assumed my mom was calling back with details about Athena, but I didn’t recognize the number on the screen. I answered, and a deep male voice responded. “Hello, Petra. It is Rafael. Do you have a minute? I wish to speak something with you.”
“Mr. Iglesias? I mean Rafael? How did you get this number?”
“When there’s a will, there’s a way,” he said. “So, are you able to grant me a couple of minutes? I’ll be forever indebted.”
“Sure, I was actually looking to talk to you. Where are you now?” I asked.
“I’m not too far from you at my on-campus office.”
“How did you–– Nevermind, if you were able to track my phone number, I’m figuring me being at the UW campus didn’t represent a difficulty either.”
He laughed. “Ever the excellent observer.”
“I’ll be there in five,” I said.
I asked Mei to leave without me as I had a chat with Mr. Iglesias. Mei seemed weirded by the fact that a professor had requested to see me not once but twice already. Still, she didn’t say anything and headed toward the dorm.
Once I arrived at Mr. Iglesias’ office, I noticed the door was already open. Mr. Iglesias, or Rafael, was leaning on his desk with his arm and feet crossed. It felt more like a pose than anything else. “Welcome, Petra. It’s been some time. How have you been doing?”
“I’m well. Thank you,” I said, suspicious of his intentions.
“Please take a seat,” he said and sat at the desk. “I was looking forward to our second meeting. I’m pleased it happened so soon. Has anything changed from the last time we spoke?” he asked.
I wasn’t going to satisfy his ego and tell him what happened.
“My intel has informed me that you fled the Transylvanian location. Is this true?”
“If you know why ask?”
“A confirmation uttered from your mouth is invaluable,” he said and peered at my lips.
Was this man flirting with me? “I did indeed leave Bra?ov, but only to visit my parents.”
“I see. And nothing unusual happen prior to you making such a decision?” He looked at me with seductive eyes.
I hoped he would be of help but from the looks of it, his plans didn’t coincide with mine. Actually, they were far from it. I had to change tactics. “No, Mr. Iglesias. I mean, Rafael. Nothing unusual happened.”
“It is interesting to me that you continue to cover for someone who is nothing but a beast. If someone would become a threat to you or your close ones, would you defend them?”
Did he know about the incident? Or was this pure speculation? “The beast you’re referring to is my husband, and I would like to ask you to refer to him respectfully.”
He rose from his chair and leaned on the desk next to me. “A devoted wife is a quality to be admired. But don’t you fear you might end up alone facing monsters? Such a young soul should not bear such a heavy burden. Let me help you. I could do so in more ways than you would expect,” Mr. Iglesias said as he raised my chin lightly to face him.
“Sometimes the monsters are just wolves in sheep’s clothing,” I said, piercing his eyes with a clear message.
