Page 107 of Shadows of Nightshade
“What about…” I said again, and my protest faltered slightly at Damen’s serious features. “What about Bryce? Shouldn’t he know?”
I really wanted him to know. He wasmyofficer, wasn’t he? That made him obligated to obey me. Did I still have to subjugatemyself to his subpar instruction and feign subservience? How humiliating.
“Be nice to Bryce,” Damen said, frowning before he added, “for now.”
I gasped. But we were supposed to be on the same page!
“He does know a lot about biology,” Damen added, unhelpfully.
I covered my face, reeling from the utter betrayal. I’d like to know who put him in charge.
“I have greater concerns,” Damen said, pulling my hand back. “We need to talk about what happened at Aine’s house. You stopped me from exorcizing the ghost.”
“Don’t…” I began, faltering slightly as Damen cocked his head. “Don’t do it.”
“I don’t see why not,” he argued, his tone firm and his eyes stubborn. “He hurt you.”
I touched my throat and swallowed. I couldn’t fully explain why this was so important yet. Besides, didn’t he say he trusted my instincts?
“I’m still asking.” I had no real reason to make this request, only a feeling I couldn’t ignore. “Please.”
Damen’s shoulders dropped as he looked away, abashed. “Fine,” he said, petulance bleeding through his voice. “I’ll listen for now, but I’m not going to be happy about it.”
The other three men stared at him, and there was a tense undercurrent in the atmosphere that made me think that Damen might like to do things his own way. But that was okay; there was nothing wrong with learning to work together.
And I was very, very grateful.
“Thank you,” I said, grasping his hands before he could sulk. He stared at me, and I almost couldn’t believe he’d given in. “Thank you so much!”
Damen stilled, stunned, for a breath, before looking at me. His aplomb demeanor cracked as the barest hint of surprise flickered in his eyes. “R-right.” Now it was his turn to stutter, and he cleared his throat before continuing, “Whatever you want.”
I smiled, and relief made the blood rush from my head. They weren’t angry at all, and they cared about what I had to say. I couldn’t believe that these four men who seemed to hold so much weight in this world were some of the sweetest, gentlest people I knew.
So long as they were with me, I would never have to be afraid again.
24
We droppedMiles off at the school before Damen turned his silver Mustang around and backtracked into town. I was still half-asleep and rubbed my eyes as Damen began to drive us away.
“Where are we going?” I asked as the campus buildings faded into the distance behind us. After all, it was in his plan that I mustn’t keep Bryce waiting.
It was my opinion, though, that Bryce could suffer through a bit of disrespect.
“We still have time,” Damen pointed out. “And Miles can study for a while. I want to make a quick stop first.” I looked to the dashboard—a quarter till seven—and my heart sank.
I knew it was early, but not like this! Plus, if this was the timenow, then when did they wake me up? I hadn’t even thought to look! I’d felt like a zombie all morning.
I was going to murder Julian.
But then my ire dropped as Damen pulled into the familiar gravel driveway of my professor’s house.
“What are we doing h-here?” I asked.
“I want to check something,” he answered, before exiting the car and opening my door. “It’ll only take a minute.”
The property felt different—sad. Damen followed me to the front patio.
“What do you want to check?” I asked. But he didn’t answer with words. Instead, after a short whistle, the creature that’d knocked Bryce on his butt landed on Damen’s shoulder.
