Blood Between Us

Twenty-Four

The next morning felt different.

Not lighter.

Just... clearer.

Darina stood in front of the mirror tying her hair back, staring at her own reflection a little longer than usual.

You look like her.

Ivan's voice echoed in her head.

She swallowed and grabbed her bag.

When she stepped into the hallway, Francesco was already there, leaning against the wall like he'd been waiting for hours.

"You ready?" he asked.

She narrowed her eyes. "For school or for battle?"

"Same thing."

She rolled her eyes but didn't argue.

He walked beside her all the way to the car.

And when they arrived at school, he didn't drift off like he normally would.

He stayed.

Right at her side.

"Francesco," she muttered as they walked through the gates, "you don't have to escort me like I'm under witness protection."

He smirked slightly. "You're dramatic."

"You're obvious."

"I don't care."

That made her glance at him.

He wasn't joking.

Students were already whispering.

Not loudly. But enough.

Eyes followed them as they moved through the courtyard.

The fight. The stairwell. The detention scene.

And now this — Francesco Moretti walking shoulder to shoulder with her like it was deliberate.

Because it was.

They reached the hallway near her locker.

She felt it before she saw him.

That shift in the air.

That awareness.

Ivan was leaning against the opposite wall.

Hands in pockets. Watching.

Not angry.

Not explosive.

Just watching.

Francesco saw him at the same time.

His posture changed instantly — shoulders tightening slightly, chin lifting.

Darina's pulse quickened, but she didn't stop walking.

Ivan's eyes moved to her.

And something in them softened.

Not possession.

Not fury.

Something quieter.

He pushed off the wall slowly.

Francesco stepped half an inch closer to her. Subtle. Protective.

Ivan stopped a few feet away.

Silence stretched between the three of them.

People were pretending not to stare.

Ivan spoke first.

"I'm not here to fight."