Page 26 of Ashes and Lilies
Julian and Miles, unable to see nor hear Mr. Weaver, continued to focus on me.
“How could you even think that?” Julian sounded furious.
Meanwhile, Miles was sitting on his heels, studying me as if noticing something for the first time. “You’re seriously worked up over this, aren’t you?” he asked.
Why shouldn’t I be?
“Darling, relax.” Julian’s voice softened. He brushed his fingers over the area behind my ear, and instantly, my breathing evened out.
In the meantime, Mr. Weaver paused in his ramblings as he looked between us. “Interesting,” he said, eyes lingering over Julian’s hovering form. “Very interesting.”
“What’s interesting?” I tore the rest of my attention from Julian to look at the ghost.
“Other than the Lord of Death doting on you?” he asked. “You really have no idea how to deal with being an empath, do you? What a terrible job your people have done.”
“Well, if you have such a problem with it, take it up with them!” I felt my hackles rise. How dare he call Julian such a thing! I’d never known anyone gentler than him. “More power toyou if you can figure out who they are because I certainly haven’t a clue!”
He hummed, cocking his head as he looked at me one moment longer before he vanished.
“He’s so rude,” I muttered, glaring at the empty place he’d once inhabited.
“Ah,” Julian said. “I take it Caleb has gone now?” In the background, Miles sat up a bit straighter.
“What was that?” I asked him, the swelling of my temper ebbing at his contemplative expression.
“He’s a Proxy Officer, an Elder,” Julian explained, shrugging. He didn’t seem surprised. “That’s why he could enter Damen’s house despite the wards. Knowing him, he probably took what you said as a personal challenge.”
“Isn’t that bad though?” Miles asked, leaning forward in his seat. “We didn’t want anyone to know about her yet, right?”
Julian looked at the space where Mr. Weaver had been. “It’ll take him some time to work it out,” he said. “Plus, it’s not like Caleb has ever been a fan of the Council. He’s mistrustful of the whole organization. He wouldn’t tell, right?”
“Right,” Damen cut into the conversation, answering Julian’s question. He and Titus stood in the doorway—how long they’d been there, I didn’t know. But neither Miles nor Julian appeared to be surprised. Damen was watching me, attention wandering from my ankles to my bare arms, and he frowned.
“What are you still doing awake?” he asked. “You should go to bed.”
I couldn’t do that now. “What’s the Council?” I asked instead.
“A group of individuals representing every supernatural group outside the context of their quintet,” Damen answered, crossing his arms. “They exist to bring balance against our influence in thisworld and keep things consistent between generations. And—” he’d crossed the room and touched my nose. “—not your concern right now. Focus on one disaster at a time. We’ll deal with your ghost friend and question Finn first. Then we’ll discuss the Council.”
“He’s not my friend,” I responded. Before he could move away, I grabbed his hand. “Hey…” I hesitated to push this, but I was tired of being lied to. “Are you sure I don’t need to worry about them?”
Damen was steadfast as he squared his jaw. “They are an issue thatIneed to worry about,” he said. “Right now, your job is to get orientated.”
He pulled me to my feet and pushed my folded sleep clothes into my hands. “Get some sleep so you’ll be functional tomorrow. You and I have an early dinner with Gregory after your afternoon classes.”
“Okay!” I nodded and hugged the clothes to my chest. Damen was going to take me out to eat? This was exciting.
It wasn’t until after he ushered me from the room, and I closed the door of the small hallway bathroom behind me, that I realized he’d never answered my question.
I somehow managedto sleep peacefully in Damen’s overindulgent bed. When I went downstairs the next morning, Julian and Titus were the only people hanging around the kitchen. They were sitting in the breakfast nook, conversing in low voices. When I approached, they stopped.
“Good morning,” Julian greeted me as I covered a yawn. “I was just about to head out. Titus will drop you off today.”
I glanced at the other man. He also looked quite tired, yet stillmanaged to smile at me while touching his fingers to his forehead in a little salute.
“Are you sure?” I asked him. “I can take the bus.” Although, really, I’d rather not. “And I still need to check on Professor Hamway’s house.” I sighed, sitting down next to Julian.
“Don’t worry about that,” Julian said, brushing my wild morning hair over my shoulder. “We’ve already asked Bryce to look into it.”
