Page 139 of Reflections of Peonies
A crease had formed on his forehead, and his face darkened. The first hint of emotion had broken through the surface of his blank expression. He was going to say something mean; I knew it. But I continued before he could interject.
I needed him to knoweverything.
“She was…” I wasn’t even sure how to describe what happened: killedagain, delivered to hell? “…taken? I think.” Bryce’s frown deepened, and my stomach lurched. “It was my fault. Something tried to kill me, and—”
“I know,” he said. “Joe told us. That’s not your fault.”
“It’s not,” Brayden interjected, crossing his arms and nodding sharply.
I blinked at them. I didn’t need to explain?
“Alyssa’s spirit might still be unharmed.” Dr. Stephens scratched his cheek. He stepped away from my bed and pulled on his tweed jacket. “The entire situation doesn’t sound right. Kappa don’t destroy.”
“They kill children,” Damen said dryly, still holding me against him.
Dr. Stephens shrugged. “They collect the spirits of children, yes, but they don’t destroy them.” He said all this as if this was a regular thing, and I stared at him. But he didn’t notice and continued, “They normally have no interest in adults.”
His attention turned to me, and I shivered in response. That’s right—Julian said he now knew who I was.
My reaction hadn’t gone unnoticed by Damen, who tightened his grip over my shoulders.
But Dr. Stephens only watched me curiously for an instant. Then he cocked his head and said with a disinterested tone, “You and I have a lot to discuss.”
Oh no. Why did it seem like he wanted to lecture me?
“You can have your discussion later.” Dr. Reed stepped between us. “She only just woke up. And if you’re quite finished hijacking my patient, I want all of you to get out.”
Damen hissed in a breath, and I peeked at him. His angular jaw was covered with dark stubble, and his expression was stubbornly set into a refusal. But despite that, his face was lined with the heavy lines of exhaustion.
The other men seemed similarly worn.
Julian still hadn’t gathered his bearings, and his exhaustion was tangible. Miles had dark circles under his eyes and was slumped in a seat on the floor near the vanity. Titus, who’d been silently watching me, glared at Dr. Reed with an intense look that made me worry he might try to rip off her face.
They all looked ready to pass out, but Julian the most.
“And Julian, go to bed,” Dr. Reed commanded.
Julian shook his head, instantly appearing more alert. “I’m not tired.”
“Yes, he is. He’s just pretending.” I spoke before thinking of the implications.
The room seemed to hold its breath, and a long moment passed as everyone’s attention returned to me. I shifted nervously, realizing my mistake a second too late. “It’s true, though,” I protested, my voice wavering.
Dr. Reed’s eyes widened slightly, then narrowed as she looked between Julian and me. “I see,” she said, her voice carefully neutral. “Well, that settles it. Everyone out. Now.”
“What?” Damen protested, tightening his hold on me. “I’m not leaving. Bianca needs me.”
“She doesn’t need you. She needs rest and space.” Dr. Reed fixed him with a stern look, echoing my thoughts. “You can come back later.”
“But—” Damen started, his jaw set stubbornly.
“No buts,” Dr. Reed cut him off. “Out. Now.”
Damen opened his mouth to argue further, but Dr. Reed held up a hand. “Fine,” he muttered, his lips turning into a pout. “But I’m not happy about it.”
“Duly noted,” Dr. Reed chirped. It didn’t sound like she cared. “Now move it.”
Reluctantly, Damen squeezed my hand one last time before he left. Julian cast a worried glance my way but allowed his mother to usher him out. Titus followed, looking like he wanted to say something but thinking better, while Bryce and Brayden stepped after him.
