*Esmerelda*

I had no idea what I would do next, but I knew I couldn’t stand there all night, not with Elijah promising that he had just revoked his protection. Even with Richard about to be staked for nearly killing me, it wasn’t worth it to take the chance.

I wanted to go after Elijah, but I knew that way only led to more heartache.

I still wanted to go after him.

The headmaster appeared before I had to make a choice.

“Come, Esmerelda,” he said ...