Page 42 of Shadows of Nightshade
How would they feel about me if they talked to Finn?
Julian guided me to the couch, and I listened anyway, sitting back as my calves brushed against the floral fabric. “Here,” he said. He tucked the blanket over my legs as he sat next to me and turned my chin until our eyes met. “Let me see.”
His lips pressed together as he moved his touch across my cheek and temples.
Oh, that was right. He was in medical school.
Not that I was injured or anything—only a little stunned. It was such a bother.
“Bianca.” Julian paused and waited until he had my attention. “You aren’t a bother.”
My breath caught. Too late, I realized that I’d let my thoughts get away from me, and I’d spoken that last part out loud. But Istill didn’t get it. If it wasn’t my fault, then why were his features drawn in fury as he looked at me?
“You’re angry,” I observed.
“Not at you,” he said and traced his fingers closer to my left ear. “I’m sorry you had to witness that. I don’t lose my temper often…” His voice trailed off as he frowned. He was still watching his hand. “When I saw what Finn was doing, it brought back memories.”
More guilt turned in my stomach. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” Julian said, dropping his hand from my face. He seemed hesitant now, uncertain. “Hey, Bianca…”
Why did it look like something was seriously wrong? I bit my bottom lip as I waited. Of course, he noticed, and as he continued, he touched my lip, releasing it from under my teeth. “Do you have any trouble hearing me?”
“I’m fine!” I pulled away as my chest constricted, and he dropped his hand back to his side. My heart was racing as he watched me, trying to maintain eye contact, but I couldn’t look at him anymore.
Why would he even think that?
Oh wait, I knew why. My ears rang as I touched the side of my head, lingering over a sensitive spot behind my ear. “I-I just hit my head…” That’d been too close.
“You hit your head?” Julian was instantly responsive, and his hands covered my own as he stood to inspect the area. His chest was inches from my face, and from this distance, the smell of fresh air and saltwater was even easier to distinguish.
“We’ll have to keep an eye on it,” he began. “Or should we go to the hospital?”
Hospital.
Panic tore from my throat, and I grabbed his wrist. “No!”
“No?” He blinked down at me, stunned.
“No hospital.” I squeezed his hand. “Please.”
It was obvious that he didn’t agree, but he didn’t have a chance to argue before the doorbell rang once again. Julian’s attention lifted, drifting to the front hallway, before he sighed.
“That’ll be Damen,” he said, standing straight. He touched the top of my head. “I was checking my messages when I heard you and Finn—he was on his way already. I’ll go let him in.”
Damen…
The tension released from my shoulders. Despite my initial reservations, Damen would know how to take care of things, wouldn’t he?
“Where is he?”Damen stormed into the living room and scanned the area with barely concealed panic. His expression changed once he spotted me, and he’d closed the distance between us with three, large steps.
“I already told you; he’s gone now,” Julian replied, calmer than he’d been before as he trailed after the other man. “I took care of everything. But she did hit her head.”
I felt my embarrassment rise, and my skin flushed. “I’m fine.”
Damen’s hands had clenched into fists, and he looked between the two of us. His twisted expression and tense jaw were a mix of both anger and guilt. “What happened?”
“Did…” I began, swallowing once his attention returned to me.
