Page 16 of Brambles and Bellflowers
“Sure she can.” Bryce shrugged. “I bet you she can do a lot more than you expect.That’swhy Miles ran away. She’s stronger than he is right now, and he knows it.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Figure it out for yourself.” Bryce’s lips curled in a mocking grin. “Surely, you’ve noticed something strange about her power.”
“Strange?” I frowned, glancing toward Gregory, who’d only been silently watching. “What?”
The older man’s mouth pressed in a line, and he tilted his head. “It’s true, but I can’t put my finger on it yet.”
“Because of the bond with Kiania?” I wondered.
“I’m not sure,” Gregory replied. “She just feels…differentthan expected.”
Declan turned to Bryce, his posture softening in a way that didn’t match the man I knew.
“It’s been a few weeks,” Declan said, quieter than before. “Do you think she’d be open to meeting me yet?”
“No,” Bryce replied. “She still gets upset any time someone brings you up.”
Declan’s jaw sharpened as the room suddenly turned tense. He clenched his fists, and I half-expected him to throwsomething—it wouldn’t be unheard of—but instead, he breathed out before finally relaxing and looking at his feet.
“Understandable,” he replied tightly.
I glanced between them, debating whether to speak, but Gregory beat me.
“For what it’s worth, I don’t think she’s mad at you,” Gregory said, and Bryce and Declan looked at him.
“What?” Bryce asked. “Yes, she is.”
“No, she’s not,” Gregory repeated, leaning forward. “She’s ashamed.”
Declan blinked.
“She lived through an ordeal that would irreversibly damage her view of herself. At the same time, she’s likely built up an idealized sense of who you are,” Gregory continued in a low and measured voice. “She’s probably afraid that you’re upset.”
“I am upset.” Declan frowned, and a chill settled over the room.
“At her?” Gregory asked.
“What?” Declan stepped back. “No!”
“Then don’t take her need for distance personally,” Gregory replied.
Declan exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. “I don’t want to push her,” he admitted, quieter now. “But I don’t want to disappear, either. I will be here, but you will watch over her in the meantime,” he said, looking at Bryce.
Bryce’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue.
However, Gregory had already moved on.
“My priority is this case,” he said, his tone shifting to something harder. “I’ve heard you requested it be re-opened.”
“Ah.” Declan hesitated before he shook his head, refocusing. “Yes. That is why I came here today. We cannot let this pass without consequence, but we need your expertise.”
“You want me to join the ongoing investigation?” Gregory tilted his head.
“Why not?” Declan asked. “Your insight would be invaluable.”
“I haven’t worked with so many dynamics in many years,” Gregory responded, his skin growing slightly paler. “Besides, my specialty lies in the study of murderers, serial killers, and criminals with psychopathic behaviors. Why hasn’t Mrs. Grier’s contribution been sufficient?”
