Page 35 of Ashes and Lilies
“Because I need to care.” I hated him so much. “I want to know if I’m going to end up in the hospital again—like ten years ago when I saved you from being dragged into hell.”
“What?” His mouth twisted in confusion. “I think you’re misunderstanding—”
“Finn!” A deep, gleeful voice echoed from the end of the corridor. “There you are! About fucking time!”
Finn stiffened—but didn’t release his hold on me—as we both looked toward the intruder.
8
A manwho vaguely resembled Julian languidly strolled toward us. However, while Julian’s face was soft and wise, the newcomer exuded youthful excitement and mischief.
“I’ve heard you’ve been up to some exciting stuff,” he said with a grin, his focus on Finn. “I just had to come and see it for myself.”
Finn watched him warily even though he remained unmoved over me. I almost missed the hitch of his breath, which was his only indication of discomfort.
“What do you want, Anthony?” he asked. “Can’t you see I’m busy?”
I had suspected the man’s identity, but the confirmation made my heart lurch in anxiety. Of course, Finn would have me trapped upon my first time meeting Julian’s brother. What a world.
“I can see that.” Anthony reached us, his curious, brown eyes turning toward me for a moment before they trailed back to Finn. “Julian told me all sorts of things about your friendship.”
“We’re not friends!” I protested, ignoring the flash of hurt passing over Finn’s expression. “He has me trapped against a wall. Does this look friendly?”
“I don’t know what you’re into.” Anthony shrugged. “I imagine that Finn has some weird kinks that even Julian won’t touch.”
The way he phrased the statement caused me to recall my first foray into unrestricted internet access only last night. The topic had been lingering on my mind since my last slumber party, and with my newfound ability to access the vast world of the internet, I had explored some long-standing questions that concerned me.
“You mean like BDSM?” I asked. “Do people actually do that for fun? Finn does that?”
I felt sick. How had I never known? Of course, Julian wouldn’t touch such depravity. But then reality crashed back into me, courtesy of almost falling to the ground. Finn had released my hands and stepped back, putting me between him and Anthony.
“Don’t be stupid,” he told Anthony. “You don’t understand the impact of what you’re saying. Bianca doesn’t need to know about that kind of stuff.”
Anthony inched closer to me, which was somehow comforting. And it was that which reminded me of my righteous indignation.
“Don’t even bother. I already looked it up,” I informed the onmyoji. “You can’t stop me from searching on the internet anymore!”
He looked at me and frowned.
“Finn!” Anthony grinned. “What in the world have you been up to?”
“This is none of your business, Anthony. I’m leaving.” Finn took another step back. “We’ll talk later, Bianca.”
“I don’t want to talk to you.” I crossed my arms. He couldcommunicate to the air for all I cared, but I wanted nothing to do with him.
“You can’t avoid me forever,” Finn told me.
“There will be no talking to her without going through me first,” another voice interjected. The sound caused my ex-best friend to freeze.
I placed my hand on my chest as my mind wheeled over the indignity. Just how long had he been lurking about? And if he was here the whole time, why hadn’t he stopped Finn earlier?
As if I needed another reason to dislike him.
Bryce Dubois stepped from the adjoining classroom. His arms were crossed, and he wore a thunderous expression. However, he was focused on Finn, not me.
“You!” Finn snarled, his glare on my arch-nemesis. “Mind your own business!”
Anthony raised his eyebrow, seemingly also surprised to see Bryce. However, he didn’t radiate the hatred that Damen, and now Finn, seemed to hold toward the fae.
