I Am the Wild (The Night Firm #1)- Karpov Kinrade Page 0,35

to college bars and start talking about our classes. Inevitably some know it all mansplaining dude would come up and try to instruct us on what so-and-so meant when they wrote this or did that. We would then challenge him to a duel of knowledge. We'd find a book, (or he'd provide one, which usually made him even more confident), I would read through it, then our friends would quiz us on the content. I would quote complete passages. He would muddle through. I would win $100. He would walk away calling me a bitch.

Good times.

Elijah takes me up on my offer and begins to quiz me on the history and laws of the paranormal community.

Lily leaves the table first. Impressed, but bored. Then Matilda, who kisses my head and whispers something in another language in my ear.

Liam and Derek are quick to follow. Sebastian stays the longest, surprisingly. He's studying me as I recite and give my opinion on entire passages in their complex law and history books. But even he eventually gets bored and leaves.

At last, Elijah pauses, cocking his head. "Extraordinary. It's been many, many years since I met anyone with a mind like yours."

That perks my attention. "Really, who was the last one?" I ask.

"Al," he says. "Al had a brilliant mind. I begged him to let me turn him before he died, but he refused, insisting that all life must cycle from dust to dust. Such a waste though."

"Al?" I ask.

"Albert, actually. He hated when I called him Al. Albert Einstein."

My mouth drops. "You knew Albert Einstein?"

He smiles. "Yes."

I don't know what's giving me the full body buzz right now. The fact that I'm sitting in a house with beings who have lived with some of the most amazing talents and minds our world has ever seen, or the fact that he just favorably compared me to Albert Einstein.

I feel giddy either way, and it's nice.

Just then, my phone rings, and I answer on instinct, though the number isn't one I recognize.

"This is Eve," I say, holding a finger up to Elijah, who nods.

"You finally answered."

Jerry.

Though I've only been in my new life a few days, already my old life feels light years away. Like an old dream I struggle to remember but find the details fuzzy at best.

"You need to stop calling me," I say. "Whose number is this?"

"It doesn't matter. You keep blocking me, so I had to find a way to get through. I went to your apartment, but they said you moved. That's an extreme reaction, one propelled by grief. One you will regret in time. I spoke to the manager of the building. He and I agreed it would be best if you came back. He will return your money and you can keep your apartment. We can get you better, Eve. Have you had any more episodes?"

I frown, anger bubbling in me. "How dare you! How dare you show up at my place! How dare you speak to anyone on my behalf or imply I'm not stable enough to make my own decisions. I didn't report you to spare you your career, but there's still time to change that, Jerry. The statute of limitations hasn’t expired. I do have a law degree, if you'll recall. I know my rights and I know what would happen to you if everyone found out what you've been doing with your patients." I let my threat hang in the air, lingering there like a bad scent. I want him to feel uncomfortable in the silence. I want him to imagine what his life would be like if I followed through on my threat.

"Eve, you don't want to do that," he says, his anger brimming to the surface. I know what would happen if I was there.

Explosive anger. He would attack, verbally and physically. Afterwards he'd apologize, justify, tell stories about his abusive childhood, anything to avoid facing what he'd done and who is he. He could never handle looking at his true reflection and seeing the monster he was underneath the handsome exterior.

"I'm hanging up now and blocking this number. Do not contact me again. I will call the police if you do." I end the call and block the number, but not before taking screenshots. My hands are shaking and my breathing is labored.

I nearly jump out of my skin when Elijah puts a hand on mine.

"It's all right," he says in a calm soothing voice, like a gentle breeze on a