Page 41 of Shadows of Nightshade
“Why are you here?” he asked, and his frown deepened. I could literally pinpoint the exact second when Finn figured it out. His focus shot to me, and my grip on Julian’s shirt tightened. “That was Miles on the phone! Bianca, you went to seeDamen?”
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I wanted to respond,but my blood froze at the betrayal in Finn’s voice.
It was too late now. We’d passed the point of no return, and I had never been good at confrontation. Earlier, I had feigned bravery with fury. Now, I felt none of that…
Past experience taught me that there were two ways to survive in life-or-death situations: strike first and escape, or pretend the problem didn’t exist. Neither option was good for this scenario.
However, Julian seemed to have everything under control.
“What Bianca does is none of your business.” He moved more fully in front of me, shielding me from Finn’s accusing glare.
I was hiding like a coward, but I didn’t care. It was everything I could do to breathe in Julian’s calming scent as I tried not to hyperventilate.
“I wasn’t talking to you,” Finn snapped. “So stay out of this. This is between me and Bianca. She’s my responsibility.”
My body felt numb as I rested my head against Julian’s back. I was stunned as Finn’s words echoed in my mind.
His… responsibility?
Julian tensed, but Finn wasn’t done yet. “What are you doing here anyway? Isn’t there a fresh batch of dead people for you to—”
“That’s enough.” Julian’s order crashed down over the room like a wave, and a feeling of intense fury saturated the air. “Bianca is a person—not a problem, responsibility, or your own personal toy. If you cared so much about her, you would have taken her seriously from the beginning.”
“I have taken her seriously,” Finn protested, his voice slightly more subdued.
But still, I couldn’t look at him.
“I’m not sure what she’s told you,” Finn said, regaining some of his confidence. “But it’s a complicated situation…” His weak explanation died, and he continued, quieter, barely audible. “I need to talk to you. Without her present.”
My heartbeat sounded louder in my ears with every cruel word. Why would he need to talk to Julian alone? Was he going to try to poison my new friends against me? Meanwhile, Julian’s demeanor had almost turned glacial in its silent, deadly ferocity. I jumped as he reached behind him and touched my arm.
His fingers were cold, and I wasn’t entirely sure if the feeling came from me, or him. But then the contact broke, and he stepped away from me, moving toward Finn.
“This is not the time,” Julian said, pointing toward the door. “I want you to leave.”
“You don’t understand!” Finn uttered out a muffled curse. “Besides, I don’t need to listen to you—”
“Now.” Julian’s voice brooked no argument.
I couldn’t see what happened—Julian had kept himselfbetween us—but the loud sound of the door slamming closed broke me from my stupor.
“Wait.” I stared at Julian’s back. “He actually left?”
“He had no choice.” Julian turned and ran his hands over my arms. “Are you hurt?”
I was staring at the wooden door, dazed, and almost missed his question. “Huh?”
“Let me help.” Julian’s light touch lingered on my shoulder as he led me toward the living room. I watched the blurred outline of the fireplace as we drew near to the couch, and my ears perked at his muffled instructions.
He’d said something, and I’d missed it.
I turned my gaze to the taller man, blinking at him. “What?”
“Sit down,” he ordered.
I didn’t want to sit down. I wanted to be left alone to lick my emotional wounds in peace. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what he was thinking—how the others would feel about me when he told them what happened.
