Page 127 of Whispers of Wisteria
I kept my expression blank as Gregory levelled his stoic gaze on me.
“We’ll be taking over shortly,” Gregory said. He put the folder in the front of his jacket. “Therefore, I’ll be taking these.”
I placed my palms against my desk and stood. “Those aren’t yours!”
“They’re not yours either,” Gregory said, unbothered. “As Bianca’s guardian, I’m responsible for them for the time being.”
Jonathon sighed as the tension slipped from his shoulders. “That’s for the best.”
“Give them to me.” I held out my hand. “Now.” I let the threat linger in my voice as my teeth sharpened.
The two Er Bashous looked at each other, silently communicating, before Jonathon glanced back at me.
“You’re close,” he said. “But your tantrums aren’t cute anymore. We should bring Pearson up to date regarding your training. I really don’t like lying to my quintet.”
I glared at him. “If you were so concerned about lying, you would have spoken up ten years ago. Besides, if you’re worried about training, then you should finally focus on Miles.”
Jonathon rolled his eyes. “Miles is fine.”
“Whenwasthe last time you spoke to your father?” Gregory asked, tilting his head.
“Whatever it’s been, it hasn’t been long enough,” I replied.
They looked at each other once more, and for the first time since this conversation began, a hint of doubt cut through my anger.
But it didn’t matter; I had to get stronger. If they thought they’d take her away again, they’d soon learn that we wouldn’t back down without a fight.
19
Damen POV
“Titus didn’t showup for dinner,” Miles remarked.
I glanced up from my notes as he put the last plate into the dishwasher. The witch’s posture was casual as he stood and wiped his hands on a dishcloth, but I could read the underlying tension in his frame.
“He’s fine,” I replied. “He told me earlier that he’s going on a special mission with Maria.”
“I wish he’d stop doing that.” Miles sighed. “One day, he’s going to get himself into a situation where he’s trapped for real. Then what are you going to do?”
“What would there be to do?” I asked. “He wouldn’t want my help. Besides, it’s not like a lot can hold a dragon.”
“Well,youcan,” Miles reminded me. He stepped closer and crossed his arms on the counter.
I bristled. “But besides me…” It was almost true.
“Regardless, I saw the memo posted to the Triarch. It looks like the Guild has been busy,” Miles warned. “Humans are tryingto replicate our abilities. One day, they might be able to control us.”
“No one could ever control me,” I replied, touching my wrist. The thought was too disturbing, and the consequences too severe, to contemplate.
I only had one weakness.
Miles tilted his head, studying me in a way that indicated that he saw right through me. Then, to my horror, he voiced his thoughts. “They can if they use Bianca.”
A heaviness fell over my shoulders, and my thoughts darkened. “Not if we don’t allow it.”
Miles narrowed his eyes. “That’s not a strategy. We still don’t know why we never knew she was in danger the first time.”
I was about to reply when Bianca walked into the kitchen. It was already dark outside, and she was usually in one of her long nightgowns by this time. But now she was wearing a black turtleneck, fishnet stockings, and a flouncy black skirt that reached mid-thigh.
