"I used to feel so alone..." yep that hit home. That whole conversation between Taryn and Justin against the bathroom door mirrored the depression for me during my abuse. Justin is maturing, recognizing that his history and abuse is building him to where he needs to be when the time comes just as he thought. Frankly, so is Taryn. I wouldn’t be at all surprised he is able to accept his circle completion in the prophecy easier than Justin will. He even asked Justin if Taryn would be one of those educated decisions. Actually, yes he would. In the end, it will be Taryn to be the one to break through Justin’s defenses and get him to finally understand what The Jewler sees in Justin and fulfill the prophecy.
As for the dream and circle and interaction with Alec, Justin will have to defeat him without fighting.