wistfully. “And I thought the only stars she cared about were the ones she followed on social media.”
I arch both brows. “That is fascinating.”
“Right? Those Valaris are opening my eyes in ways I never imagined.”
“Same, my friend.” Very much the same.
The longer I sit here, holding this age-old heirloom in my hand, the deeper that truth seems to clamor at me. Call to me.
Which is pretty fucking crazy.
In my line of work, I’m accustomed to finding allegorical meaning, not truth, in things like ancient star systems, mythological beasts, and Latin phrases that sound like vengeful promises. Or, for that matter, battle cries.
An insight that leads to yet another.
None of this information is matching up. Hollywood and glitter with Old Latin and old constellations. Red carpets and golden fashion runways with antique gemstones and solid-gold earring clasps.
There are disconnects here. Lots of them. But when I think of the most vast disparity of them all—the difference between what the rest of the world sees in Kara Valari and the dark angst I’ve seen in her eyes—nothing feels off-balance at all. Everything about her—and me—feels completely right. Exactly where it should be.
Now I just need to know… Why?
Chapter Nine
Kara
I press my hand against the metal door. It warms under the heat of my touch. I give myself a few more seconds to change my mind. If he’s not home, all I’ve wasted is an hour on the internet and a nail-biting drive here to demonstrate what I’m willing to do to chase the forbidden mystery he’s become.
The muffled sound of people talking on the other side sends me a step back. I can make out the deep timbre of Maximus’s voice, then someone laughing. Another male.
Shit.
This was a stupid idea. I need to leave before—
The door opens with a soft whoosh of air, the metal hinges whining faintly, removing the barrier between us. Maximus leans on the edge of the door casually, unaware of my presence.
His dark-haired friend notices me first, his eyes taking on a glimmer of intrigue. “Well, then.”
He looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t figure out why. The wonderment doesn’t last long, shoved aside by my nervousness. I wasn’t expecting Maximus to have company. That he does could make this confrontation so much worse.
Finally, Maximus sees me. He pushes back from the door a fraction, like someone’s just delivered bad news to his doorstep. “Kara. What—”
His friend quickly cuts between us, whipping his hand from the chrome wheels of his chair to reach for mine. “I’m Jesse.”
I force a smile and meet the gesture. “I’m—”
“Kara. I know. I’ve got Kell in one of my classes. I’m Professor North.”
I close my eyes briefly, internalizing the slew of curses I want to hurl at myself. That’s how I know his face. Unfortunately, the revelation adds a new layer to my growing anxiety. Of all the people to run into…
“What are you doing here?” Maximus’s pointed question sounds like an accusation.
Inwardly, I repeat it. What am I doing here? While my mind knows that answer, my nervous system is having trouble keeping up. I force myself to persist. This feels too important.
I jog my chin, ordering myself to meet his incisive blues. I didn’t exactly leave him on a warm note last time, so I shouldn’t be surprised that he’s pissed I’ve now shown up at his door. On a Saturday no less.
“I’m sorry, but I think you might have something of mine.”
Jesse’s eyes light up. “Ah. The earring.”
“Yes,” I reply, though the edge in my tone is How the hell do you know?
“Max and I were checking it out earlier. Pretty cool piece. What did it say? Ex ignes victoria?”
I manage to respond even though my teeth are clamped together. “That’s right.”
He tilts his head. “Family heirloom?”
“Something like that.”
He nods, but I can see more questions swimming in his amused expression. In that moment, he seems to be the mirth to Maximus’s brood. After another chance to look up at the professor who is still glowering at me, I almost appreciate it.
“I was just leaving. I’ll let you two catch up.” Jesse winks at me before swinging his gaze back to Maximus and lifting his eyebrows suggestively. “Later.”
Great. Fucking fantastic.
I step back to let Jesse pass over the threshold. He whips down the corridor toward the elevator at the end. Which means I’m forced to face the man I’m not so sure I want to see anymore. Maximus takes up the whole of the doorway, an unreadable expression on his face.
“I’m