Grayson’s face softened. “For what it’s worth, I think you’d make a great GRIMM, but it’s not something anyone should be forced into.”
I snorted. A great GRIMM? Who was he kidding? I’d succeeded at getting myself attacked twice and almost kidnaped. What part of that said GRIMM?
He leaned closer. “If leaving is what you really want, I can help. We can go to the headmaster together.”
“And what is he gonna do? He already knows about the compulsion thing.”
His eyes widened. “He knows?”
“Yeah.”
“No. That’s impossible. He’d never allow this. It was hidden. If any of us had seen it before… we… would have stopped it. It’s not right. You should have told someone. You should have told me.”
My cheeks flamed at his intensity. I couldn’t help but feel flattered, but I had no reason to. It was obvious Grayson was the kind of guy who would stick up for anyone.
“Look, even if I tried, I wouldn’t have been able to say anything. But I think it’s broken now.”
“I’ll go to the board. They have to know what your uncle has done. This is criminal.”
Hope lit inside me. Was this my chance at freedom? I glanced at Grayson out of the corner of my eye.
If you leave, you leave him behind too.
Woah. Where did that thought come from? I stifled a groan. Somewhere between the coffee and saving me from a vampire, I had fallen for this guy.
I met his eyes. Anger shone in them and the intensity of that handsome face made my heart race. Yeah, totally and utterly fallen for him.
Just frickin’ perfect. A stupid crush was just what I needed in the midst of this crisis.
“I promise, I’ll find a way to get you out of this, Rose.” He glanced around. “We could go now. To the council.”
His words startled me. My head spun. As desperately as I wanted to destroy the thing, there were other things I had to worry about. Like the fact that the shifters were sent after me. Luna Negra knew where I was and anyone around me would be in danger.
“Thank you, but I’ll be fine for one more night.” I smiled at him.
His jaw clenched. “Are you sure?”
I nodded. “Positive. Let’s figure it out later. I just want to go to sleep.”
Grayson’s eyes roamed over me. “Here. Let me take off the mark. You won’t be able to sleep with it.”
My eyebrows shot up. Right. The no sleeping mark the headmaster gave me. I’d forgotten about it. It felt like forever ago since I was in that office. Had it only been just that morning? So much had happened in one day.
Grayson held my arm, wrist up, his touch making me flush. “Evorto.”
“I really got to learn how to chant,” I murmured.
His eyes met mine. “I can teach you.”
There was a promise in his look that went beyond teaching me Latin. Something had shifted between us, and I wasn’t so sure it was a good thing. Not when my life was in an utter state of chaos and complexity.
I sighed as the mark disappeared. Weariness immediately filled me.
“Be careful. I’ll see you back at campus tomorrow.” Grayson squeezed my arm and released me.
“I will. See you.” I watched as he disappeared into the portal.
My body trembled, all the events of the day finally catching up with me. Questions and doubts plagued my weary mind. Grayson’s words played on repeat.
Free to live your life.
Was I though? Or would I have to choose between becoming a GRIMM or becoming a witch? Sorrow filled me. Papi always told me I could be whatever I wanted to. Did he really believe that or was that just a lie he told me?
Tío and Javi returned, walking toward me. I blinked away the angry tears and pulled my shoulders back.
“Let’s go,” Tío ordered.
“Portal needs a minute,” the same guard from before announced.
Javi’s color returned, but exhaustion showed on his face. I studied him, the sting of betrayal filling me. Why didn’t he tell me about being able to walk away from the GRIMM? Did he think I’d join up with the witches like my mom?
His gaze met mine. “Are you okay?”
“Fine.” I glanced away.
“Portal is open,” the guard interrupted.
Tío waved us forward. “Go.”
“You could say please,” I muttered.
His eyes locked onto mine, his eyebrows shooting up.
I cringed, remembering too late. The link from my bracelet was broken, and now he knew it.
“In the portal,” Tío’s voice grew dangerously low.
I bristled, wanting to refuse.
Javi stepped toward me. “Rose,” he warned.
Yanking my arm out of his reach, I was tempted to run. This was my chance. I was free. What was stopping me?
“You wouldn’t make it out of the prison. Rose, please,” Javi pleaded.
Anger burned inside me. He was right. I would never make it out. Swallowing my pride, I turned to the portal and stepped in.
Light and sound swirled around me. My stomach rolled and I clenched my eyes shut, ready for it to be over. When I opened them again, we were back at their mansion.
Tía Teresa ran toward us, her emotions flashing across her face. Alarm. Relief. Anger.
“What were you thinking? Breaking into the prison, Javier? And…” she paused, her eyes narrowing. “Were you drinking?”
Javi waved his arms in an appeasing gesture. “It was just one drink, Mama.”
I snorted, earning a glare from him.
Her eyes shot to me. “And you too, Rosa?”
“We just barely survived a prison breakout and you’re worried about us having some beers?”
Javi gave me a shut-the-hell-up look.
“Go to bed, Teresa. Let me handle this,” Tío’s voice boomed behind us.
Tía straightened. “I’ll go when I’m ready, Javier. This must be dealt with first.”
Woah. Did she really just say that to him? I glanced at him to see his reaction. He sighed wearily and motioned her to lead us.
She held her head high as she took us upstairs and into the training room. Tío closed the door behind us and motioned for us
