Zara’s POV
The knock came soft, almost hesitant. My lips tugged into a smile without me realizing it — Zarek. Of course it had to be him. No one else was bold or foolish enough to come to my door at this hour when the school had made it clear I was to be left alone.
“Back so soon?” I muttered as I padded across the room, tugging at the loose strand of hair hanging over my face. He couldn’t even last half a night without teasing me again. Typical.
I pulled the door open with a knowing grin. But the person standing there wasn’t Zarek.
It was Alex.
Every ounce of warmth drained from me in an instant. My smile faltered, my chest tightened, and instinct screamed to shut the door.
“Not today, Alex,” I said, already pushing the door shut.
Her hand shot out, palm flat against the wood, keep
