overthrowing Gabby and Elijah because of her morals. She was doing it to protect Alexei, because she knew the work we were doing was dangerous. If we got caught, he’d end up on the chopping block for high treason with the rest of us.
Kiara bit her lip, and I said, “You know what? It’s fine. I understand.”
Kiara’s shoulders slumped. She seemed relieved— if but a little guilty. “I’m sorry, Emma. You know I would, if only—”
“You don’t have to explain. You have your reasons.”
And they were valid. If I could turn back time, I would’ve done everything to prevent Ethan from getting involved if he wasn’t already.
But as Lucien explained, no such magic existed. And even if it did, I didn’t think all the magic in the world would be enough to deter Ethan from his path of revenge.
I just hoped whatever happened, I didn’t lose him.
I’d had practice at the rink that day, then stayed in the Rec Room with Delmare and Kiara. We watched movies until late that night. Odette had promised us she’d be there, but for some reason, she didn’t show. I’d seen her stumble in around nine and head directly to her dorm, looking exhausted. I’d glanced at Delmare, but we didn’t say anything.
It was past midnight now, and no one was up. It was empty in the Rec Room. I’d reread the same sentence three times in the book I was holding. My eyes drooped, and I yawned, feeling like I was going to pass out any second. The girls had already gone to bed hours ago, but I’d stayed up for a little while longer... just in case.
I thought I was in the clear, and gleefully thought to myself I’d be able to go to bed early tonight— just this once.
Then I heard a dorm room door opening down the hall. Godsdammit.
I tossed the book down and threw the blanket off of me so I could sneak around the corner. I poked my head around it, hoping against hope it was someone else.
I swore when I saw Ethan had slipped out of his room. Gods, I wanted to kill him. Like, literally rip his head off. Couldn’t he give it a rest for one fucking day?
Ethan had this hardened look on his face he always got when he was about to become the Phantom. There was no reason for him to be out this late at night— he had class early the next morning— so I knew exactly what he had in mind.
Looks like Gabby was right. Ethan just couldn’t stay away. He was going out in the field again, putting on that damn mask. His fear of the White Rose had finally become less pressing than his addiction to being a vigilante.
I’d prayed he would hang it up. I’d hoped telling him I knew his identity would be enough for him to quit. But the gods knew Ethan was a stubborn man, and I was sure he’d rather die than give up being the Phantom.
Like the devil herself, Gabby opened her dorm room door just down the hall. She’d been waiting for him, too. Her eyes followed Ethan as he headed down the stairs. Gabby turned her head and caught my gaze, raising her eyebrows in an obvious command.
I clenched my teeth as Gabby shut the door behind her. Once again, I had no choice but to follow her orders. I was to tail Ethan tonight, and thwart his plans to combat the cult while she laid her pretty little head on a feathered pillow and got a long, nice night of beauty sleep.
But I couldn’t keep doing this. The more I confronted Ethan, the bigger chance both of us would get killed. His late night escapading had to come to an end. Before we hurt each other.
Or worse— he found me out.
The White Rose would stop the Phantom. Tonight. And this time, I wasn’t messing around.
Chapter Seven
Ethan
I felt powerless. The Phantom was the only way to get back some of that power.
As hesitant as I was to go back into the field again, I had to. I knew where the Black Claw were hiding, and I couldn’t let them continue in their operations. I had to do something— White Rose or not.
I kept my eyes peeled for the sorceress as I ran toward the forest in my wolven form. I was looking for the same location as before... a cave set into the mountains, deep in the woods. When I came