#Chapter 9: A Fair Trade

You and Nicholas have a special bond, and I can’t wait to see how far I can bend it. I didn’t understand Julian at first. Nicholas and I hadn’t been a couple in three years. Whatever bond we had was assuredly broken by now. The plans Julian had for us would make no difference anymore. But then I realized, this wasn’t about me, or me and Nicholas as a couple. Julian’s hostility was aimed fully at Nicholas himself. They had always seemed like fierce enemies at the Academy. Perhaps the addition of them being brothers didn’t make that perception untrue. Maybe it only intensified their rivalry. “If you are planning on using me against Nicholas, you are making a big mistake,” I said. “Nicholas no longer cares for me. In fact, he likely hates me. You’d be wasting your time.” Julian’s smile neither grew nor wavered. He merely watched me a moment, then dipped his head. “Good luck in the selection, Piper.” Without another word, he turned and exited the room. I had no idea what he