Page 79 of Whispers of Wisteria
“Bianca,” he repeated my name, and I forced my eyes to focus.
Bright green eyes peered through the shadows, a loose curl falling from behind his ear. He leaned forward—cautious, unthreatening.
I froze.
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze gentle but focused.
“Focus on me,” he said. “Relax.”
My heartbeat began to slow, and the suffocating weight lifted slightly.
But could I relax? This was another predator—someone who could hurt me; I could sense his strength just in the way he held himself. My instincts screamed, warning me away, but an illogical side nagged at me, telling me to trust him.
I couldn’t tear my eyes from his. He hadn’t moved again. If he were going to hurt me, wouldn’t it have already happened?
“Come here.” He slowly raised his hand in my direction. “You did well.”
My gaze traveled down the line of his arms to his hand. Those fingers could cause a lot of pain.
“You can stop. We’ll take you home now.” His voice was deceptively smooth despite his appearance.
It was close—too close—and I’d almost let him trick me. He would have won, except I glanced back at his face at the very last second.
The warmth in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a furious crimson.
My body tensed as I sucked in a breath. He stopped moving as doubt flashed across his expression.
“No,” he breathed, reaching for me. “Bianca, wait—”
But I didn’t hear anymore because, for the first time in my life, I was able to get away.
Damen POV
She was gone.
The space where she’d been only moments ago was empty, and all that remained was the sharp chill of her absence. The energy of her panic still clung to the air, thick and suffocating, and in the center of it all, Titus knelt on the floor, unmoving, clutching her scarf.
He hadn’t moved since she’d vanished, and he hadn’t looked away from the space where she’d been.
I knew how he felt. I’d seen expressions like that before—the terror, the sheer panic—but never from her, not like that. And never directed at one of us.
She hadn’t recognized us at all.
A part of me had prepared for this moment the second she’d agreed to return. I knew there was a risk of triggering her. But she’d wanted to do this, so I’d let her.
I should have said no.
I forced myself to focus. “Where did she go?” I asked, glancing up at the ceiling. She had used her abilities to escape—even if she hadn’t consciously meant to. She could be anywhere.
“It’s hard to say.” Gregory’s voice was even, but I didn’t miss the sharp edge underneath. He removed his glasses and rubbed his forehead, and he seemed calm. I knew him well enough to see the signs.
He was furious.
“We need to find her,” Bryce cut in. He was tense, his stance stiff as he glared at Titus. “Don’t just sit there,” he snapped. “Track her.”
Titus’s head lifted slightly, but he still didn’t move.
“Bryce,” Gloria warned.
