Page 68 of Ghost
My eyes snapped up at once, unable to deny his request even as my mind remained numb. As soon as our gazes met, Damen’s mouth twisted into a scowl.
“Nowthis,” his brows furrowed, “has nothing to do with Titus, or any of us. You weren’t even fazed that he was a dragon. And that’s not the look of someone who is being influenced by a spirit. But youaregenuinely afraid of being hurt. You’re projecting that fear onto Titus. Who do you think is going to hurt you? What happened?”
The nature of his questions shattered through the haze. I couldn’t get away from his touch fast enough. “No!”
I had to have blacked out, because seconds later I was huddled on the floor. Trapped into a corner of the room with my back against the wall. Why did he have to pry? Why did he have to use his psychology-ness on me?
The boys half-stood in their seats, staring at me in surprise.
Julian turned his gaze to Damen. “Did she just…”
“I put a stronger barrier around the room earlier, I wanted her to be able to relax,” Miles interrupted, his eyes surveying the parameter of the room. “Nothing astral can get in or out.”
Damen’s expression closed and he ran his hand down his face. When his eyes opened again, he glanced at Titus. “You know that it has to be you. You realize that it’s not you that she’s frightened of. But none of us will be able to get near easily right now.”
“I know that,” Titus said, slowly uncurling himself from his hunched over position. The tortured hurt in his eyes began to fade, and determination took its place.
He began to walk toward me. Slowly, as if I was a wild animal that would flee at any moment. An action which—at this second—was likely. If possible.
I didn’t even know what happened. The numbness in my mind was threatening to overwhelm everything. My pulse raced, and my skin felt clammy. I was hot and cold, and I just wanted to forget.
Titus knelt in front of me, his deep green eyes locked on mine. “Shhh, princess.” His deep voice was as soft. “We won’t push you for information anymore. Everything is fine.”
“Everything is certainly not—” Damen began, but was cut off.
Titus’ mouth turned down, but he didn’t move his eyes from mine. He lifted his hand, placing it on my shaking knee. “I would never hurt you. Do you understand that?”
The buzzing in my ears began to recede, and the darkness at the edge of my vision faded. I felt my tense muscles relaxing, and the remnants of memories I couldn’t face began distant whispers in the back of my mind.
Still, I knew he expected a response. “O-Okay.”
“Are you still scared of me?” Titus asked, his voice slightly afraid. Which was silly, because dragons shouldn’t be frightened of anything.
It became easier to think normally. Why had I been afraid? Titus was a nice dragon. I heard of nice dragons before. I couldn’t remember where, but they were out there.
I’d have to do some research.
But, the look in his eyes. He’d never hurt me. That was stupid.
I lowered my arms, not able to break from the entrancing hold of his gaze. “No. I’m not scared.” The remnants of my fear drained from me, and exhaustion claimed the vacated places. Suddenly it was more difficult than ever to keep my eyes open, and my limbs became too heavy to lift.
“No more adventures for tonight,” Titus grumbled, picking me up. “Everything else can wait. We’ve got you.”
I was shifted again, and softness surrounded me. Whispers of conversation began in the background. And my hair was brushed back from my head.
After that, the only thing I knew was the black and white pictures of my dreams.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Bianca
Meet
A hand shook my shoulder, it’s owner trying to pull me out of my slumber. “Darling, it’s time to get up.”
Could it be Julian? I had already warned him about the evil that was morning. I mumbled something, pulling the blankets under my neck. I had only fallen asleep. I just needed five more minutes.
The hand was relentless and moved to my face instead. The sensation did something strange to my insides, the disconcert further snapping me back to awareness.
