Adrien.
Woah.
Something was definitely wrong with Maria.
I stared at her, trying to make sense of the boldness in her posture, the refusal in her tone. This wasn't the girl who used to lower her eyes the moment my voice hardened. This wasn't the Maria who carefully measured every word around me.
Maybe she has hopes in the upcoming competition.
The thought crept in slowly, then settled heavily in my mind.
Does she think Noah will win?
Is that it?
Does she believe he'll rise above me—above us—and claim something he has no right to?
A faint heat burned beneath my ribs at the idea.
I couldn't wait.
I couldn't wait for my brothers and me to come out as the winners. To stand victorious, unquestioned, untouchable. I wanted to see the look on her face when reality settled in, when she realized where true power stood.
I wanted to wipe that defiance off her system completely.
