Emilia’s pulse pounded in her ears as she watched Raymond being driven away by Francois. She understood his fear, but she had to do this on her own.

She waited in front of her parents' house, until the girl stood to her feet and began to walk away. Like the first time, Emilia trailed the redhead through the misty streets of Princeton. The girl moved quickly, her brown sweater blending into the muted colors of the gray morning. A blue shawl draped loosely around her shoulders fluttered with each hurried step, and Emilia kept her gaze trained on it, refusing to let the girl slip from sight again.

She barely...