Page 47 of Ashes and Lilies
“Oh!” He pulled back, blinking fast as his cheeks darkened. “I didn’t realize…” He shot Damen an annoyed look and turned his attention back to me.
“Bianca, this is my grandfather, Joseph Kohler.” Julian vaguely gestured over his shoulder in the general direction of the other man. “He’s my Elder Er Bashou and is renowned in his field.”
I glanced between him and Dr. Stephens. Did that mean they were in the same quintet?
“Is that so?” Detective Kohler had braced his chin over his fist and watched Julian in mild interest. “It’s a rare treat to see you acting so respectfully.”
Julian turned and looked at him, and—while I didn’t see his face—it was enough to make the detective raise an eyebrow.
“Regardless,” Damen interrupted. “I don’t want Bianca to go anywhere by herself. I won’t risk the chance of anything else happening,” he said, looking at me.
My breath caught at the reminder. “I—” I looked at Julian’s hands comfortingly pressed over my knees. “I don’t want to be a-alone right now anyway,” I admitted.
It was shameful for me to act like such a baby, but I was sure to have nightmares tonight.
Julian released my legs and offered me his hand. “I’ll take you back while Damen finishes some things here.”
“Didn’t…” I looked between him and his grandfather, who was watching in mild curiosity. “Didn’t you have plans?”
“Nothing that can’t wait,” he said, reaching down and grasping my hand. “I know how to prioritize.”
I wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but I followed his lead and stood anyway.
Damen came to stand on my other side. “I’ll be back soon,” he told Julian. “In the meantime, let’s prepare for the worst-case scenario tomorrow night.”
Julian nodded and responded with something I couldn’t grasp, but it didn’t matter. My focus had wandered past them towhere Detective Kohler sat conversing with Dr. Stephens. In between them, on the corner of the desk, was the pitiful plant I’d noticed upon my arrival.
The boys hardly noticed as I meandered away.
Now that I could see it more closely, it appeared to be half-neglected. If I was right, it was a rare species I’d only read about in my botany books. I touched one of the glossy leaves—not completely brittle.
Maybe there was hope for it yet.
“Miss Bianca?” Dr. Stephens’s questioning tone pulled me out of my musings. The two older men had paused in their conversation and were watching me. “Are you all right?”
“Oh, sorry.” I dropped my hand back to my side. “I’m fine.” I looked at Detective Kohler and chewed on the inside of my cheek before continuing. “You might want to remove some of the dying leaves,” I told him. “And add more water. It should bloom soon.”
When the two didn’t reply and glanced at each other instead, my face burned.
“Sorry,” I said again. I knew it wasn’t my place to say, but I couldn’t hold my tongue in such an instance. I returned to Damen and Julian before they could think of lecturing me.
“Bianca?” Julian paused as I grasped his hand, but I kept my eyes trained on the ground, unable to meet his eyes. I’d totally messed up the chance to make a good impression on his family. When I didn’t reply, he squeezed my hand.
“Ah, okay, we’re leaving now,” he said instead of questioning me. “I’ll talk to you later,” he told Damen, then led me out of the room.
10
Julian was frowningat his phone as we walked through the parking lot. He waited until we were safely seated in his navy Volvo with the engine started before he turned to check that I had my seatbelt on. “I need to make one quick stop to pick up something for Miles. Are you okay, or do you want to head right back?”
“I-I’m fine.” I nodded, curling my hands into my lap. Why wouldn’t I be? “What about you?”
“What about me?” he raised his eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“Is there something bothering you?” I tried to read his face for any hint of his thoughts, but he seemed as mellow as ever.
Julian tilted his head. “I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Like what?” Maybe I could help.
