Page 137 of Hidden
Well, mostly. But how—
“I’ll come with you,” Miles continued, contemplation on his expression as he answered my unspoken question.
If my hands had been free, I’d have pinched my nose. So he had no plan. “We have no idea how this works. You might not be able to use your abilities at all.”
“He might,” Damen interjected, stepping toward the bed. “Bianca was able to do it when she went into Lily’s memories with you.”
“She didwhat?” Gregory asked, but Damen waved him off.
“You’re the one who confirmed she was using her abilities.” Damen sounded almost accusing as he crossed his arms. “Why did we never think to combine them before?”
“Because it’s dangerous and completely illogical. It could have seriously harmed her.” My heart raced at the recollection. “We had no reason to assume itwouldwork.”
I’d never been so afraid before. When she crossed the room, holding on to me at the worst possible moment, my world had stopped. Until the darkness cleared, I had no idea what had happened to her. And when I arrived at the other realm with Bianca was safe beside me, it was as if a thousand pounds had been lifted from my shoulders.
“We can do it.” Miles sat down at Bianca’s other side. He raised his hand, brushing back a lock of her hair. Even though he spoke to me, his attention was all for her. His expression might have made me jealous in any other situation, but because it was him, I wasn’t. “Do your work, and I’ll keep you on track.”
It felt strange standing over Bianca’s sleeping form intending to use my abilities on her. She looked vulnerable, and—since she was sleeping again—almost peaceful. Knowing that I would invade a world that would not match that added to my inner conflict.
I hadpromised.
But she was suffering. She was all alone, facing her demons with no one beside her.
But not for much longer.
“Ready?” Miles stood beside me, holding my blade. I’d already suffered the bitter-tasting drink. Such ritual was unnecessary, of course. I could invade a person’s thoughts by only my effort. But Miles’s concoctions helped my focus, in hopefully the same manner that his presence would continue to do.
“As I’ll ever be.” I sighed, taking the knife. My focus was growing sharper, colors brighter. A faint buzzing had begun in my ears.
“Get in, find Bianca, and get out.” Titus was straddling the chair at Bianca’s vanity, his arms linked over the back and his gaze unwavering from us. He’d been silent throughout most of the conversation and our planning, but now he seemed inclined to join.
Damen frowned at him. “That’s what they are going to do.”
“And no snooping around,” Titus continued, ignoring Damen. “You made a promise. She’ll probably be angry at you.”
My jaw locked. The heavy sensation of my power washed over me.
“I know.” It felt as though I was underwater. The world was sluggish—a familiar sensation for when I drew upon my abilities. “I’m not Damen.”
“Hey!” Damen protested, but there was no chance to respond.
I glanced back to Bianca, resolution settling in. A dark wave crashed over my senses as I drew the blade across my palm.
There was no pain, only the euphotic pulse of power. The words came naturally to me, the ritualistic phrases unnecessary but habitual.
A breath later, the room faded around me.
After the darkness cleared and the ground steadied under my feet, my gaze was immediately drawn toward the only living inhabitant of the room.
Bianca.
She was young in this memory, no older than four. And I knew it was her upon sight, even with her back to me. She played with a small doll with button eyes and red yarn for hair, and she hummed under her breath.
There were voices barely discernable from elsewhere in the house. But I couldn’t make out anything they said. Not that it mattered, not in this moment. That wasn’t why I was here.
“Where is this?” Miles said mildly, not sounding perturbed to be travelling in a memory for the first time in his life.
I ignored him. It was Bianca who held my complete focus. Before I realized it, I was beside her.
