Page 28 of Reflections of Peonies
A muscle in his jaw jerked at my question. “Why?”
“That’s a good question,” Bryce said. “In fact, why don’t you call it here?”
“No.” Finn’s pale face grew even whiter. “There’s no need. What, exactly, are you accusing me of?”
Nobody was accusing him of anything.
I’d gotten rather good at reading people, and Finn was close to panic. However, he did not have a malicious vibe—nor did he carry the look of someone evil.
He was, however, afraid for his life.
“I don’t think you did anything,” I told him honestly. “But you’re not the one who lost Damen’s trust. Kiania has been a problem in the past. Did it do something?”
“Can we talk about this later?” Finn glared. “Like when Bianca isn’t stuck alone in an asylum?”
“All right, but this conversation isn’t over,” I said finally,turning my attention back to Bryce. “Do you agree with the plan?”
Bryce sighed, looking defeated as he rested his forearms on the desk. “I guess I have no choice. Are you going to tell her about our relationship first?”
Like I would make it that easy for him.
“No. I’m not doing your job for you. I can get you in there, but you must tell her,” I replied, watching him evenly. “I’ll start on the paperwork. If she agrees, you can act on it right away.”
“She’ll never agree.” Bryce covered his face. “She’ll never forgive us. It’s our fault she wasn’t home.”
I paused, my mind reeling through our past conversations. Bianca had been determined to find the truth, no matter what.
“I don’t think so,” I mused. “Bianca wants a family, and youareher family. She’s a logical person. Just be honest and see what happens.”
6
Damen heldme close for what seemed like hours, only releasing me when I had to leave the room for another checkup. Soon it was just Dr. Reed, Julian, and me, alone once more in Dr. Reed’s office, as the two of them poked and prodded around my neck and shoulder.
The comforting haze didn’t fully lift until Julian brushed past me to set the roll of gauze back on the table. The slight touch of his sleeve-covered arm rubbed against my too-sensitive skin, and I jumped.
Julian froze, staring at me as I quickly regained my bearings.
“Oh!” I touched my lips. “S-sorry.”
Julian’s lips dipped. “There’s no need to apologize,” he said. “Is there something bothering you?”
“I—” I looked past him, at Dr. Reed across the room. She was now watching us over her notes. “I wasn’t paying attention. It’s been… eventful.”
Julian cocked his head. “What do you mean? What’s wrong?”
I shook my head. How was I supposed to answer him? How could I tell him what happened with Damen?
My skin chilled as the memory passed through my thoughts, and I wanted to slap myself for letting the memory resurface. “It’ll be okay,” I said, repeating Damen’s words.
“Are you sure?” Julian was rubbing his hands down my arms now, expression pinched in concern. “Isn’t Damen in your room? I thought seeing him might make you happy?” He frowned. “Did he say something?”
“N-no,” I answered. Darn bodily reactions. “I—I just don’t want to be here.” They were trying to make me remember, and I didn’t want to.
“We need to get her out of here.” Julian shifted toward his mother. “She’s getting worse.”
“I’m doing my best, Julian.” Dr. Reed sighed. “But her parents believe that this is the safest place for her. They are concerned. Because of the Cole family, the Council now knows of her, although not who she is. She is not ready to face that scrutiny.”
“But she was doing good with us,” Julian accused. His arm tightened around me, and anger leaked into his voice. “You can’t keep her locked inside a room forever!”
