Page 124 of Reflections of Peonies
“I won’t do it,” Julian protested. “What if we end up stuck in a loop of memories from back then? I refuse to put her through that!”
My chest tightened. I’d forgotten. While necromancers could lean toward which memories they accessed, in certain situations—and when their target had acute trauma—it became harder to control.
“I saidanecromancer,” Gregory responded with a frown. “Mr. Julian, you have two Proxy Er Bashous, both of whom are currently more qualified than you. Between them, Joe has the most experience and the greatest control. He’s previously handled situations like this and is the best choice.”
Julian tightened his hold on Bianca and glared at Gregory, his head lowered. “You can’t just—”
Gregory continued, “You might think you’re protecting her from reliving traumatic experiences, but it is my opinion that someone in a catatonic state is trapped reliving those same events. She could already be experiencing everything you’re trying to shield her from.”
Julian POV
“What?” I asked. Bianca’s small form felt so fragile in my numb arms, and my thoughts shattered. Could it be that, despite trying to keep her safe, she was still suffering?
He had to be lying—but from the severe weight of his expression, I knew he was telling the truth.
“I am contacting Joe,” Gregory said, pulling out his phone. “Iassume he knows who she is? It would explain his smug comments lately.”
“Yes,” I replied. My grandfather hadn’t asked me, but it was obvious from how he interacted with her that he’d figured it out.
Gregory didn’t reply and, instead, began to type.
“How does it work?” Brayden asked.
I planned on responding but couldn’t, even though I knew the answer. It made no sense, but it was so hard to want anyone near her. The slightest mistake would leave her mentally back in Eric Richards’s clutches. I didn’t even trustmyselfto perform an operation so delicate.
But, as Gregory pointed out, there was no guarantee that her current thought processes were much better.
“A necromancer can jump into a person’s consciousness. It was one of many ways that the art can be used in torture,” Gregory explained, putting away his phone. “It is also how they can access memories.”
“But—” Damen broke in, glancing at me, “isn’t it dangerous when someone has experienced trauma?”
“As Mr. Julian has already explained, yes, it can be,” Gregory responded. “If someone accesses her memories and does not have complete confidence in their skills or is distracted in any way, then the necromancer could lose their way, and the target could be stuck reliving their worst memories until they die.”
Damen looked at me, frowning, and I tensed. “Normally, it wouldn’t be a problem,” I admitted. I’d intentionally thrown individuals into loops as an act of revenge or justice. However, now, I was uncertain. “But—” How could I explain this weakness to the others?
“Mr. Julian, for as much as you revel in your aloofness, I am well aware that you’re wary of potentially witnessing Bianca’sabuse,” Gregory said. “I wouldn’t expect otherwise, given your history.”
I tightened my hold around her shoulders and breathed in the scent of her. A light floral engulfed my senses, barely breaking through the emotions threatening to drown me.
She was in pain—even though I might not feel it, I believed Gregory—and there was nothing I could do about it. It was my position, my role, to help her, but ultimately, I wasn’t strong enough. Even though I’d trained hard and mastered almost everything about my craft, I could not confront my greatest fear.
And now, instead of fulfilling my duty, I would have to rely on someone else.
My cheeks felt hot as I held her to me. I’d never been so ashamed.
The tensionin the room remained thick as time passed while we waited for my grandfather. My turn to be with Bianca was long over, and I could feel Titus’s gaze on me.
“Julian—” he began.
“Hang on—” I hastily interrupted, looking away. My tone slipped and became more challenging to control, and I took a deep breath. “Please.”
Titus didn’t respond, but nor did he press further.
Gregory stepped between us, breaking out a small flashlight, again checking Bianca’s eyes. “There’s no change,” he said, glancing at Damen beside him. “In the unlikely event that this doesn’t work, we must leave. I’ve already told my brother to prepare the ward as a precaution.”
“Oliver?” Miles asked. “If she doesn’t want to meet Declan, then she isn’t going to want to see her grandfather either.”
“She’ll get over it,” Gregory replied. “She can’t avoid her family forever.”
