Page 91 of Reflections of Peonies
“Brayden…” Bryce’s voice was low—a warning to watch his words.
“How do you know him?” he asked. “I don’t have the same loyalty toward him as Bryce and Uncle Gregory. But if he—”
“I’ve told you before, Kieran wouldn’t have hurt her!” Bryce’s harsh words caused my anxiety to spike further. “He would have died first.”
“Well,someonegave her to Eric Richards,” Brayden said, narrowing his gaze. The uplifting tenor of his voice had faded—now it was lined with something ominous and steely.
The insinuation that Kieran had doneanythingcaused my stomach to twist. I never wanted to discuss my past. I never wanted anyone to know.
But I couldn’t let this stand.
“I knew him,” I said, and my shoulders tensed as I pushed my fists into my lap. It was a miracle my voice didn’t shake. Everything felt numb. “Kieran was one of the first people I remember; he was gone before I met Mr. Richards.”
“He’s gone? You mean, he died?” Bryce’s question cut through me like an accusation.
I looked between them.
Sorcha haunted my nightmares. I saw her stomach being ripped open with my own two eyes. She’d held me to her as she died, and I watched her life leave her expression.
But Kieran?
I’d only been able to see bits and pieces. But I was sure he was dead. The signs had been there.
I’d never forget the suffocating dampness of the small, dark cellar where he’d locked me. He told me he would come back. And above my prison, I’d heard the fight.
I’d felt the warm blood dripping through the cracks in the floorboards.
He never came back, and I almost starved to death waiting.
He’d promised. He never broke his promises.
“He’s dead.” My words were barely discernible. “I’m pretty sure. But I never saw his body.”
By the time I’d been dragged out, there’d been no bodies left.
There was a heavy silence in the air, and I glanced between Bryce and Brayden. But my brothers were only watching each other.
Bryce suddenly leaned forward, and my heart pounded at the barely concealed glint of determination in his eyes.
He wanted answers. But I didn’t know if I could provide them.
Sure enough, the questions continued. “Who was he to you? What did he tell you about who you are?”
“My first foster father…” I nervously twisted my fingers over the edge of my sweater as I stared at my knees. The air was pressing in around me, and my throat threatened to close.
But I could handle it, for now.
“He knew I could see ghosts, but I was never supposed to talk about my abilities. Everything was fine until one day it wasn’t.”
“That cryptic summary leaves so many questions unanswered. And Kieran was fae, but his specialty lay in combat. He wouldn’t have known how to deal with the spiritual side of things.” Brayden’s voice was pensive as he stroked his chin. “You lived as a parent and child?”
“I don’t…” My heartbeat was echoing in my ears. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I don’t care.” Bryce touched my chin, nudging my gaze toward his.
In his eyes was a barely contained storm, and I usually would fight his command. But I was tired. Either he was taking advantage of my weakness, or he was so far gone in his anger that he didn’t notice.
I froze, unable to move as I stared at him.
