Page 25 of Reflections of Peonies
The problem was the law. The seemingly ironclad order gave Jonathon and Abigail a limited conservatorship to make medical decisions on Bianca’s behalf. But they were wrong. Bianca was perfectly capable of seeing the logic in things. Despite what they claimed, she was not a danger to herself.
Therefore, since my Proxies refused to acknowledge me, I’d spent most of the previous night and the entire day reading and re-reading the order that kept Bianca tied to the Griers and under their medical jurisdiction. There had to be something, somewhere, that I could use.
“Did you see Professor Dubois’s face this morning?” an indiscreet whisper drifted to me.
I looked over my pile of books and spotted the speaker. A group of undergraduate witches were sitting at a nearby table, biology books among their items. They must be Bryce’s students.
One of the others watched her with wide eyes, her expression pained. “Stop it, babe,” she whined. “I can’t talk about his face. I’m so upset.”
I pressed my lips together. I never understood why so many students liked him. It wasn’t like he was nice—or even hid the fact that he held nothing but disdain for most of them.
But regardless, it was true that Damen had done a number onhim. The last I saw him, late yesterday afternoon, he had two black eyes and a giant bandage over his nose.
“I’ll bet it’sherfault,” the sad girl continued, pouting. “They left campus together the other day,andhe’s sent her to his office before.”
“I want to be sent to his office too,” one girl cut in with a sigh.
But the sad girl ignored her and raised her finger as she looked around the group. “Haven’t you noticed the way he watches her? He’s so in love.”
“Professor Dubois is not the only one,” the first girl leaned forward and waved her hand around the circle. “She watches him too! It’s so romantic—a forbidden affair between professor and student.”
“But wasn’t she hanging around Finn Abernathy?” a third girl chimed in.
“Obviously Finnfound out and tried to ruin everything.” The sad girl nodded. “I would have loved to see a fight between Er Bashous! But Professor Dubois won, of course!”
“I don’t know.” The third girl touched her chin. “Aren’t onmyoji stronger than fae? I doubt even fighting for love could change that.”
I was almost choking at the utter stupidity. There was no way they were talking about—
“What was her name?” she continued, leaning forward. “Bianca, right?”
What the fuck?
“I bet they’re married in secret. You can just look at the way they watch each other and feel their chemistry.”
What chemistry?
The blood left my head as this ridiculous conversation echoed through my mind.
Thiswas the rumor going around campus?
Were people that idiotic? The only way they looked at each other was with visible animosity—at least on her end. Bianca was clearly plotting his death while Bryce was just… being Bryce.
I moved behind their table before I could stop myself.
Their gossip silenced, and they stared at me. I could have probably done this without scaring them, but there was no time for niceties. I was onto something.
Their stupidity was giving me an idea.
“Excuse me,” I interrupted. This was worth stepping outside my comfort zone. “I couldn’t help but overhear. Is there any more to this rumor?”
The witch who had initially made the announcement was shaking. “Miles!” her voice squeaked. “I—I’m so sorry. We didn’t mean to offend you.”
“I’m not upset.” I waved my hand, stopping the barrage of apologies before they began. “Just tell me, what else is there?”
The third girl responded. “Well, it only makes sense, you see.”
“How?” I pressed.
