Page 100 of Ashes and Lilies
I grabbed my sleeve, making sure that it was pulled over my wrist, as I glared at him. I wasn’t sure what my arm had to do with anything, but he was wrong. “No!” I told him.
Being annoyed with Finn had a way of making me forget my aches and pains.
There was an uncomfortable silence, as if no one knew what step to take next. My attention lingered on Damen, who looked between my coconspirators with an indiscernible expression. Julian and Titus had also arrived, and Julian was about to approach his brother.
This was more important than me.
“Don’t blame them,” I said, cutting off their lectures before they could begin. “I asked for their help. And I was right. We were able to deal with the ghost ourselves.”
Whatever argument Damen was about to delve into with the Officers turned in my direction instead. “I told you no,” he said, brows furrowed.
I touched my fingertips to my chin. He appeared to be quite agitated, seemingly torn between relief and anger.
“But…” I knew he’d be mad at me, but not this much. My confidence wavered as my stomach dropped. “I was right,” I pointed out once more.
That didn’t seem to matter to Damen, and his jaw clenched. “You were in danger! You could have died.”
“So?” I pursed my lips. “There are worse things that can happen to a person.”
Whatever argument he had fell, and he—along with Titus and Julian—stared at me.
I tilted my head. Had I truly persuaded them with my brilliant rebuttal?
“Bianca—” Finn stepped beside me. “I’m leaving now.”
Oh, now he was going to announce it? The last time we fought together, he ran away in secret. “Fine,” I told him.
“Please don’t do anything stupid.” He sighed, touching his head. “Or at least text me first.”
I frowned at him. “I texted youthistime.”
Finn’s mouth turned down; he was not appeased. “You only contacted me to prove a point, and you were annoyed at everyone else.”
“What do you know?” I clenched my fists. “You weren’t there.”
“If you haven’t realized by now that I knoweverythingabout you, you’re delusional,” Finn replied, brushing his shoulder.
“Just go away.” I waved, gesturing for him to leave. It would be rude not to acknowledge his contribution, however, so I added, “But excellent work—we survived. Your assistance was much appreciated.”
“Hey, Finn,” Damen broke into the conversation. His forehead was wrinkled as he looked between us. Julian, who was staring at Finn, also wore a dark expression as he cracked his knuckles.
Finn glanced at his brother. “Yeah?”
“How many friends would you say you had in high school?” Damen asked.
I wanted to answer ‘Zero.’ After all, he was a traitor, and our friendship had been nothing but a mountain of falsehoods built on the pain of feigned allegiance.
“One,” Finn replied, looking at me. My breath caught at the open guilt in his expression. “Although she’s a bit more than that, but not really.”
“Yes, I know.” I frowned at him. We’d gone over this—these were the foundational words that had destroyed my trust. “I’m yourresponsibility,” I reminded him.
“Something like that,” Finn replied, narrowing his eyes.
I gasped—he didn’t even deny it!
“Bye.” He bid me farewell, but then paused, glancing at me over his shoulder. “And stop looking up dumb shit on the internet,” he said. “It’s annoying when you cry.”
Finally, he walked away.
