Free B0079G5GMK EBOK by Jennifer Loiske Page A

up for Clarissa's school. I couldn't understand that either, but something in my mind warned me not to trust him and I trusted my own instincts completely. Joshua was so young and full of temper that, regardless of my trust, he might do something really stupid, like challenging Adam in secret. Unfortunately, I knew exactly how that would end. I was also convinced that Clarissa's teachers knew him too well by now. He had driven Clarissa to school all autumn, so it might cause unnecessary questions, and I didn't want anyone to turn their gaze on our family. At this moment any outsider would have thought that something wasn't right in our home. Even I thought it was weird to see our home full of young handsome guys and our younger daughter who was barely fifteen, living with one of them. No. I couldn't risk anything now, so I didn't change my mind even when Joshua's eyes begged me to do so. He cursed and stated loud protests that were justified, but I didn't give in an inch. Clarissa needed someone to cover h er back and I truly believed no one could do it better than Joshua. So I watched, terrified, while he drove away from our house with Clarissa. Even though Marie and Tiamhaidh promised to watch over her as well, I couldn't make my restless heart settle.
     
    Clarissa
     
    Clarissa stepped out of the car timidly, and turned quickly to face Joshua.
    “I can't do this. I can't go to school without you. Can't you come, too?” she asked with a hint of panic in her voice.
    “You heard what your mother said,” grunted Joshua frustrated.
    “Still. I don't think I can do this without you,” Clarissa stood next to the car and didn't move.
    “Of course you can,” Joshua bent over, catching one tress and placing it behind her ear. “Jonas and Blake will be next to you and I'll be there in a second, if you need me.”
    “Joshua,” she whispered, shivering and looking at him with her eyes full of tears.
    Joshua sighed and let his face soften. He pressed her to his arms and held her for a long time.
    “It's going to be alright. Trust me,” he stroked her back with his long, strong fingers.
    “But… ” began Clarissa .
    “Jonas, I think you’d better go now,” said Joshua steadily and looked at Jonas. Jonas saw the pain of losing Clarissa flicker in his eyes. He nodded firmly to his friend and Joshua knew he had to let go of her and push her to face her fears.
    Jonas took her hand and placed himself beside her. Blake took the other side. Little by little they managed to take her inside the school. Clarissa glanced at Joshua many times before the doors banged close behind her.
     
    The hall was empty save for some late students running to make it to their classes before the teacher, so Clarissa had a moment to relax and calm down before she had to face her class. Blake opened the door and everyone in the class room quieted down. Adam stared at Clarissa with his burning black eyes from the back of the room, but when he saw how pale she was with fear, he lowered his eyes, hum iliated. Every girl in the room drooled at the handsome Jonas with his Viking looks and sighed aloud when he looked at them with his deep golden br own eyes. Clarissa couldn't hide her smile. Blake found three chairs that were next to each other and as far as possible from Adam . T he moment Clarissa sat down, Stella was there.
    “You hex! You didn't tell me about this,” she whispered excitedly.
    “Stella!”
    “For real! Where have you kept him?” she hung onto Clarissa.
    “It's nice to see you, too,” laughed Clarissa and quickly hugged her best friend. “He is just a frien d and besides, I'm totally sure you've se en him before,” she sighed coolly.
    “I sure have not!” hissed Stella . Emilie turned from the front of the class and smiled knowingly.
    “I'm sure I have never seen this one, so don't even try to bluff me,” Stella put one pin on Clarissa's hair and tapped her nose with her black-and-white checkered nail.
    “So, does friend