Page 58 of Reflections of Peonies
“Darling,” Julian said with a sigh, and he pushed the sleeve up higher until it was halfway between my shoulder and elbow. “Why didn’t you say anything? It must have been painful.”
What was he going on about? It didn’t even hurt anymore.
“Not really,” I shrugged, then sucked in a breath. Stupid shoulder. “They both started clearing up in the last couple of days.”
“Yes, I wonder why,” Finn interjected, peeking around Julian’s arm as he added sarcastically, “Could they have finally started to heal after youstarted your medicationagain?”
I frowned at him. How dare he be so presumptuous—and so stupid. Hadn’t he heard Julian’s vow to destroy him at my request?
But, unfortunately, he wasn’t wrong either. “Fine,” I admitted, glaring at the ground. “Yes, you’re right. I was wrong. Are you happy now?”
Finn touched his chest.
Damen, also looking over Julian’s shoulder, stroked his chin. “How much do we know about this bond?” he asked Finn. “Has this happened before?”
“Once,” Finn answered. “Not long after Bianca was released from the hospital, I was beating up a few shitheads—”
“Why were you beating up anyone?” Julian interrupted, glaring at him. “You’re far stronger than the average individual. That’s straight-up bullying.”
“Save me the lecture,” Finn said, pointing at me. “I’m not the bully. That pain in the ass pseudo-pack refused to leave her alone. They continued their shit until we graduated. In my opinion, I didn’t hurt themenough.”
“P-pack? Like shifters?” I blinked at Finn. A sense of coldness washed over me, and my voice trembled. “Wh-who?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
There was only one group that Finn fought with regularly.
Finn gave me a look, and my vision spun. I stepped back, moving away from Julian, and wrapped my arms around myself. I’d been around the paranormal so closely all this time, and I’d been entirely unaware. “Oh,” I said.
Would knowing have changed how I’d interacted with them?
“Anyway,” he continued, but I was only half-paying attention. “Bianca jumped into the fight. I grabbed her arm. That was the first time we noticed a delayed physical reaction from the contract. She had a bruise that wouldn’t heal until Trinity started her on the medication.”
“That was…” I began, my thoughts still dizzy. “That was right after I told you about my abilities. I thought they put me on medication because everyone believed I was crazy.”
“No,” Finn replied, “Plus, you got all scared any time we talked about that ghost, so Trinity thought it was a good idea.”
My heart was racing, and I backed away another step and covered my mouth. “But—”
“So it made sense not to say anything until you started therapy.” Finn nodded as if this made perfect sense. “That way, you didn’t have to be afraid anymore. I didn’t want you to worry.”
“Um…” I began, and he looked at me. “What do you mean?”
“About ghosts,” he said, speaking slowly. “And the fact that you think everything is trying to kill you.”
“James Colewastrying to kill me!” I argued. How dare he look so smug! “And you told me it was my imagination!”
“Yes, yes, yes.” He waved his hand. “I made a mistake. But if you were taking your medication, it probably wouldn’t have noticed you anyway.”
“But I was right!” I loathed him.
“How was I supposed to know? You weren’t supposed to be able to see them!” Finn argued, raising a finger. “Do you think I would have let you be around something that scared you?”
“Why do you keep saying that?” I asked. “I’m not afraid of ghosts!”
He’d opened his mouth to respond but then paused, expression dropping as he curled his finger. “What? Every time the topic comes up, you’re shaking and terrified.”
“I’m not afraid of ghosts,” I repeated. “Most of the time.”
Finn frowned as his forehead wrinkled. “What?” he said again.
