Page 66 of Reflections of Peonies
“What’s special about that form?” I asked.
“It requires the most energy,” Damen explained. “The only way to truly destroy a shikigami in this realm is to gravely injure them in their human form. Otherwise, their energy disperses and reforms in the Underworld.”
“But—” I began, glancing at Finn. “I’ve seen her as a human—when I agreed to help you. She also used to come to talk to me in my dreams.”
“What did she want?” Miles asked.
“Nothing important that I can remember.” I looked toward the window, chewing my lip. My stomach was beginning to turn, and I didn’t know why. “She complained a lot.”
What was I missing? I didn’t remember anything.
“You wouldn’t tell us anything back then either,” Damen said.
He glared at the floor, a dark, pouty look heavy on his expression, and my pensiveness turned to indignation. “What?” I asked him.
He looked up. “What?”
“What’s with that face?” I asked. That was the same look he had before I snuck away to help James. I didn’t like it then, but considering the current conversation, it made me even more uncomfortable now.
“Not much,” he replied. “I’m just thinking.”
Yes, I could see that. “About?”
“The two of you obviously have some sort of agreement,” Damen replied. “One that clearly puts you in danger. I would like to know what it is.”
I bristled. “Maybe it’s not your business?” How was I supposed to know? I wasn’t responsible for the actions of my past lives. I had no idea who they even were.
He raised his eyebrow. “Well, I don’t like it,” he rebutted.
What a child. “You don’t need to like everything,” I told him. “Don’t blame me for something that somebody else did.”
“You’rethe one who madethisagreement with Kiania inthislife,” Damen pointed out. “That wasn’t somebody else.”
“I told you,” I shrugged. “I wasn’t going to let Finn die. I don’t regret it.”
I could feel the others watching me as a collective pause settled over the room, and the air seemed to grow still.
“You don’t get it!” A muscle in Damen’s jaw began to jump as a flush began moving up from his shirt’s neck. “That mindset is extremely dangerous—you’re the most vulnerable of us!”
Embarrassment flooded through me, and I leaned back, crossing my arms. I knew this was true on some level, but thiswas the first time anyone was so blunt about it. “So I’m the weakest link?”
“No!” Damen pulled at his hair. “That’s not what I said!”
“Besides, it’s not like you need me anyway—so it’s not a big deal. You were all doing perfectly fine without me,” I said, the logical part of my mind taking over. “Who cares if my secrets hurt me?”
Julian pressed his palm over my mouth, pulling me to him as Damen glowered at us.
“It’sthat!” Damen waved his hand at the two of us. “That’swhat frustrates me!”
I stared at him over Julian’s hand. He was frustrated because Julian was touching me?
I must not have hidden my confusion because Damen rolled his eyes. “I’m frustrated because you always have that same mindset. You’re always trying to protect everyone else. And you’re always sacrificing yourself for some other purpose. It’s whoyoualways have been. Have you forgotten about the hyenas? Or James Cole?”
Julian shifted, moving his hand from my face. “Don’t yell at her.”
“I’m not yelling!” Damen’s gaze moved to Julian. “Besides, you feel the same way.”
“Maybe so,” Julian answered. I held my breath as I looked between them, and he squeezed my hand. “But you don’t need to get so angry.”
