Page 14 of Shadows of Nightshade
“Did you fall?” he asked, voice drifting further away. “Or did someone hit you?”
“It’s not a big deal.” I tried to pull away, but he was determined. After a second, I gave up, sighing. “Like I said, it’s been escalating. It knocked me down earlier.”
“How?” Damen asked, his tone sharp.
I couldn’t fathom why they were this upset, but maybe it was because I was bringing them into a violent situation. “I was working in the conservatory when something pulled the stool out from under me. I smacked my chin on a table.”
Damen glanced at Julian. “Is she okay?”
Were they serious? I was fine; there was no need to fuss. However, their actions left my stomach churning with unease. I wasn’t used to this kind of attention.
Julian petted my head before he answered Damen. “It’s just a bruise,” he reassured the other man. “But some ice will help.”
“I’ll get some!” Miles jumped to his feet and left the room.
Julian continued, “A poltergeist isn’t going to resort to violence.”
“True.” Damen was writing on his clipboard again and answered without losing his focus. “Usually, they only want attention.”
“Not necessarily,” an older voice interjected. Dr. Stephens stood in the open doorway. He nodded at me as he entered the room. He claimed a seat near Damen. “Poltergeistscanhurt people, whether it is intentional or not.”
“I know.” Damen wasn’t surprised to see the other man. “However, there are signs that something more malevolent might be involved. It could even be demonic. That’s why you sent her to me, is it not?”
Dr. Stephens finished making his tea before answering. “No. I asked Miss Bianca here for another reason. I thought you’d be more interested in your brother’s lack of responsibility.”
I was sent here because of Finn?
My blood turned to ice as I glanced between them. Could I have gotten him in trouble by coming here? Because that’s what it was beginning to sound like.
No one noticed my horror, and time seemed to slow as Damen’s hand froze, pencil mid-stroke, and he raised his eyes until they met mine.
“Interested,” Damen said slowly. “Absolutely. But we can address his responsibilities later.”
My mind was reeling from confusion. Did they believe me, or didn’t they? Was this some kind of practical joke?
The tension in the room was focused on me, and I wanted to flee. But there was nowhere to run and no way to escape. Instead, I concentrated on a loose thread at the bottom of my shirt and tried to keep my hands from shaking.
“Why-why are we talking about Finn?” I asked. “It’s not like he could do anything. Finn doesn’t have a paranormal bone in his body.”
Hilarity exploded across the space as the other inhabitants of the room seemed to find my statement amusing.
I couldn’t breathe, and my vision blurred as I stood. Why was it that every time I tried to open up about something profound, everyone made fun of me? I’d had enough of people not taking me seriously.
“Stop laughing!” My voice was firm despite my inner turmoil. The uproar died as suddenly as it had begun, but it wasn’t enough. “You don’t know what it’s like to be alone for your whole life and have no one on your side. And now you’re all acting like it’s a joke! It’snotfunny.”
All traces of humor were gone from their faces now.
“Wait.” Julian grabbed my hand before I could run. “What did Finn do? Why do you think that—”
“This hasnothingto do with Finn!” Why did they care so much about him? “If you aren’t going to help me with my ghost, I’ll leave.”
“Bianca.” Julian’s grip tightened, but I wouldn’t meet his eyes. I didn’t want to be pulled into any of the hypnotic crap they seemed to be able to cast over me.
“Of course we’ll help you,” he sighed. “But please tell us—what did Finn say? We really need to know.”
No, they really didn’t need to know.
“Never mind.” I twisted my wrist, and Julian released me. “I’ll figure out a way to take care of it myself. Just forget I was here.”
