Page 103 of Ghost
Miles was face-palming while Julian wore a contemplative expression. After a moment, Miles spoke. “The elders aren’t stupid, Damen. The point is not to get close. You can’t just change a label on something and—”
“I’m not worried.” Damen twirled his hand in the air, looking unconcerned. “We’ll think of something.”
“This is asinine.” Miles opened his eyes, glancing at me. “Bianca, do you even know what you’re suggesting? This means that you are with us—all of us. But, if questioned, the elders need to think that you’re little more than an acquaintance. I don’t feel right about this.”
I had been watching them, and jumped at being called to the center of attention. I wasn’t sure what he was asking. We were already together all the time. I had been very clear, I had suggested they be my best friends, but would allow them to flirt with me. Nothing scandalous, except maybe some hand-holding and light, innocent, physical affection.
That was exactly what I had communicated.
“Sure.” I nodded, beaming. “I think it’s a great idea!”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Titus
Biology
I lay on my back, staring at the hotel room ceiling, desperately trying to ignore my pounding headache. Conversing with Alexander was trying at the best of times, but had been especially annoying as of late. And now, thanks to him—and my own oversight, to be honest—I had a lot of extra work to do these next few months.
As I imagined the piles of paperwork already, my migraine threatened to explode. It was inconvenient we were here, because shifting would relieve some of the tension. There was something freeing about being unrestricted, and it was easier to think in my alternative form.
But it wasn’t responsible for me to change right now. Not in the middle of this city. And I had Matheus to consider…
Normally I’d have reserved my own room. But Matheus was used to pack life, and was obviously uncomfortable in enclosed spaces on his own. So during trips such as these, we always shared. He was my jiangjun—and was my responsibility.
Thanks to the Abernathy family, we had a window-filled room with a view. If we were to be stuck in a crowded city populated by normal humans, it was the next best thing. And besides, Matheus wasn’t a terrible companion. He was much quieter than Maria, and practically everyone. So there was that.
But at the moment, even his agitated silence was annoying.
“Matheus.” My vision flickered to the dark-haired man as he brooded in the corner of the room. His face was turned toward the windows, and he watched the city lights in the distance. “If you really need to, youcouldgo to the roof to shift.” He could, at least. I would watch over him.
Matheus shook his head, glancing at me. “Thank you, but I’ll be fine.”
It was the longest sentence he had spoken today, and I narrowed my eyes at him. He was lying.
I was about to call him out, but my phone vibrated in my pocket. Redirecting my attention to the object. Vaguely, I noticed Matheus looking at his phone as well. But that wasn’t unusual.
It was a text from Maria. I braced myself, opening her message. She was probably yelling at me about something, again. Ada and Matheus were respectful, they would never say half the things that Maria got away with.
And it was fine, because I valued her opinion. I just sometimes wished she would be less… scary. Not that I was scared of her. Of course not. But I was pretty sure Matheus was, maybe a little bit.
What was she yelling at me about now? I held the phone above my face. I had done everything she—
The smack of the phone against my nose did nothing to snap me out of my shock. My muscles remained tensely in place as my mind fought to register what it had just seen.
There was no way—
I sat up, grabbing my phone before it was thrown across the room from my movement. My eyes remained fixated on the image that filled the entirety of my screen.
Bianca.
She was standing in front of a mirror, looking away into the distance. And she wore the tiniest little nightgown that I had ever seen. Normally I wasn’t a big fan of black, but there was something elegant—yet innocent—about the way she wore the color.
If Damen was there, he must have lost his mind already.
But what really stood out was the familiar jewelry that she wore.
When did Maria get into my personal vaults? That crown was a family heirloom. Notmyfamily heirloom, but important nonetheless. And that necklace had belonged to my mother…
