Page 24 of Change

Maybe Ishouldmeet with him—

Damen:Gregory says to come, we’re more fun to be around than Gloria anyway.

My wavering resolve solidified, even though Ihighlydoubted that the older professor said it that way at all, and I punched at my phone with more force than necessary with my reply.

Me:No.

My phone rang—an unknown number, and I hesitated only a moment before answering. “H-hello?”

“Bianca Dubois, you come to my office this instant,” Uncle Gregory’s stern voice greeted me.

My palms sweat, but my reply was instantaneous. “No.”

“Bianca!”

Wow, this wassomuch easier when I didn’t have to look at him. “If you have a problem with it, you and Damen can come and get me. I’ll be waiting in the Criminal Justice building.” I said this—but if my theory was correct, there was no way he’d be talking to Ms. Protean any time soon. “Youcan explain to Ms. Protean that you don’t want me with her.”

Uncle Gregory began to curse under his breath, but then spoke louder. “I can’t do that. She’ll murder me.”

“Well, I guess I’m going to be studying with your ex-girlfriend then.” I felt like sticking out my tongue but caught myself at the last second. My chest swelled as he didnotcorrect my assumption.

Which meant that I’d been right the whole time—they were once a couple.

“What in the world has gotten into you?” he asked instead, sounding as shocked as I ever heard him.

Did he really want to know? “Page one hundred and five.”

“Whatareyou talking about?”

“Faery Homelife and the Family.” I held the phone against my shoulder as I picked at my fingernail and recited the name of the book that Brayden had left behind.

“Oh, for the love of…” Uncle Gregory began muttering again. “Don’t tell me this is an act of teenage rebellion?” When I didn’t respond he sighed, “Come back and we can discuss this like rational—”

“No,” I interrupted, ignoring the stares being thrown in my direction. “You’re an elder on mymaternal side, so you have no direct authority over me even on a familial level. You tried to trick me.”

“Not really.” The false patience in his voice didn’t fool me. “That’s a broad overgeneralization of the rules. Besides, I’m still your Er Bashou proxy and your magical guardian. Be reasonable. You cannot work with Gloria.”

“Why?” I asked, my heart racing with both fear and adrenaline. I wanted a reason—arealreason—that he was opposed to this. Otherwise, I could only assume that he was just trying to keep an eye on me.

A tense second passed, and I could hear him breathing on the other end of the phone. I hoped that, maybe, he’d give me an answer.

Because to be honest, I didn’t get the feeling this had anything to do with Ms. Protean being his ex.

“Fine,” he said finally. “I’m calling Bryce.”

My eyes narrowed as a surge of annoyance caused my hand to tighten around my phone. “So?” He couldn’t be—

“Page one hundred and seven.” I could visualize his self-satisfied smirk as something that sounded like pages turning rustled in the background. “Since you want to go by the book so much, let’s keep in mind that ours isa patrilineal society.”

“Did you justcross-referenceme?” I wanted to scream at him, but my voice came out as a squeak instead.

Besides, who just kept a book like that at theirdesk?

He didn’t dignify me with an answer. “Let’s ignore the fact that Bryce is your ‘husband,’ he’s also the oldest male from the Dubois line currently present in this realm. You are obligated to obey him.” My mouth opened in silent protest, but he wasn’t finished yet. “Donotwork with Gloria, you will be putting theboth of youat risk. I look forward to your cooperation.” Then the line went silent as the call disconnected.

I held my phone in front of me, glaring at the ‘call ended’ screen.

Howdarehe.