#Chapter 137: Taking Her Power

Aurora POV I sit stiff-backed in the metal chair across from Professor Hale. The smell of coffee being ground and served, the chatter of students and the mellow music being played is grounding, almost comforting, but nothing about Hale has just said is comforting. I wonder if he’s going to try to blackmail me. I take a deep breath and ground myself. I can do this. “I’m confused,” I say. “Are you threatening me in some way? With displaying the statue, or telling people who I am? It’s not illegal to be related to a Caruso or a Guerrero, you know.” I’m talking faster than I mean to, and suddenly I’m concerned for his welfare. I can’t imagine what Dominic would do to someone who tried anything like that. To his credit, Hale has the intelligence to seem terrified. “God, no!” he says and puts up both hands in a way that makes people, including Luca, look over. “Aurora,” he says quietly, now self-conscious and leaning forward. “Have you ever t