Page 110 of Ashes and Lilies
How could a search engine be dangerous? “How?”
“In any case,” Damen said, not answering my question, “you do not need to pay me back now. Being able to take care of you and the other members of our quintet is a major part of my responsibilities that I enjoy.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but he interrupted me.
“That being said”—he gestured toward me—“if it concerns you that much, you should be happy to learn that you’re quite wealthy. Just put together an I.O.U., and when you’ve come out publicly as Mu, you can pay me back then.”
It felt like time had stopped. “What do you mean? I’m rich?”
How could this be?
Damen smirked. “Yes,” he said, sitting back up. “Quite. At least, youshouldbe.”
“What?” I asked. This was too much. “How?”
Damen leaned forward, bracing his chin on his fist. “First of all, we’re reincarnations.”
I frowned at him. “Yes, I know. But—”
“You’ll eventually remember your past lives,” Damen said. “And recall that each of us has accumulated wealth and various revenue streams throughout the millennia. It was our goal to never become a burden on the families we were born into.”
“Where’s my money?” I asked, my arms shaking. I was so ready for this. I had to have millions, if not more. Surely, I had been quite the investor.
I wouldn’t have let myself down.
Damen frowned at me. “That’s rude.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. He was trying to redirect my attention from this crucial topic—or maybe he’d lost my wealth. He didn’t seem like the kind of person who would spend money wisely.
“You said it’s my money,” I told him. “Why shouldn’t I ask for it?”
“I guess it won’t hurt to know,” Damen mused, still touching his chin. There was a hint of joy in his tone as he said, “Bryce has been in charge of your funds in your absence.”
My pounding heart stopped, and I stared at him. “What?”
“You could ask him.” Damen shrugged.
My lips felt numb as I placed my empty coffee cup on the table. But… But how could I approach this conversation? I could barely stand to look at the man.
“Until then,” Damen continued, “you’ll have to get used to me taking care of you. And regardless of what you choose, I fully intend to prepare a room for you in my house. I will set you up with whatever you need. You could ask any one of us, and we would help you.”
“But…” I couldn’t tear my eyes away as the static rushed through my body.
Damen cocked his head. “But what,” he asked.
“I…” I noted the neat piles on Dr. Stephens’s desk, and my attention wandered to the green light shining through the lampshade. “Ireallydon’t need anything. From anyone. I’m fine.”
“You most certainly are not ‘fine,’ ” Damen argued. “And everyone in our group has a room at my house, regardless of whether they live there.”
“B-besides,” I continued, biting my bottom lip. “I-I don’t know what will happen after all this is over. I can’t legally make my own decisions.”
“We’ll deal with that as it comes up,” Damen said. He leaned forward, touching the table to capture my attention. His eyes shone earnestly as he added, “Bianca, I will earn your complete trust.”
My tight breath released, and the random objects on the desk no longer interested me. Nothing was more engaging at this moment than Damen’s robust and assured gaze.
“But another thing regarding my responsibilities—” He crossed his arms over the desk in front of him “We cannot have another incident like last night.”
Oh no. My stomach dropped, and I pressed my sweating palms against my legs. “L-last night?”
