Page 36 of Change

“Oh, come on!” I grumbled under my breath. I was not that predictable. “I don’t always want to eat.”

“Darling.” Julian slipped into the open seat at my other side. “On a scale of one to ten—” he began, touching my shoulder.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” My face burned and, once more, I hid my face in my knees, mostly to hide another grimace as a stab of pain shot through me. “I’m fine.”

I really should have met up with Damen today.

But I’d forgotten that Julian was in-tune with this sort of thing. In fact, I only remembered this after the cramp had faded, the dizziness had passed, and I caught the tail end of concern through our shared connection.

“Bianca.” This time when he spoke, there was a determination in his voice that wasn’t there before. “You’re in pain. Will youpleaselet someone help you?”

The doubt faded from Titus’s expression at Julian’s sudden change in demeanor, and Bryce became suspiciously silent.

“I don’t want to. They’re going to poke and prod at me, and… well… I can handle that, I don’t care.” I squeezed my legs closer to me, the tightness almost suffocating but just a tiny bit reassuring. “But what if they have to do a physical?” I asked, pressing my mouth against my knees. I wasn’t even sure I was even speaking out loud anymore, I could barely hear myself. “Itoldyou before, I don’t want anyone touchingme down there.”

I couldn’t quite make out Julian’s reaction, and the following silence extended long enough for me to believe I was safe. Or that maybe I hadn’t said anything at all.

But then, after gathering my courage, I glanced up. The boys were looking at each other, their expressions of concern and fury explained the necromancer’s barely restrained turmoil.

“Can I go home now?” My mouth was numb, and the almost empty waiting room felt colder.

Titus’s hands tightened around my ankles, and Julian sucked in a sharp breath. They exchanged one last secret message, leaving Bryce out in their exchange, before Julian finally replied.

“Of course,” he said, although it sounded as though he spoke through gritted teeth. He wasn’t happy, but he would listen. “But can I make a suggestion?”

I watched him curiously. This wasn’t exactly the type of situation where one offered up ‘suggestions.’

“What if you only talked to my mother?” he said slowly, almost hopeful. “Just explain to herwhat’s been going on. She might not even need to do a physical.”

Julian’s features blurred. “But what if she does?” I asked.

“Then refuse.” Julian shrugged. “You don’t have to agree to an exam you’re not comfortable with, but if that’s the only thing holding you back, you should know that you have options.”

“I can say no?” I bit my lip. I’d never thought about that.

“You can always say no,” Titus cut in, shooting Bryce a dark glare.

“But—” I started, attention flickering between Titus and Julian. “If I just want to ask questions… but don’t want anything more… it’s, okay?”

Honestly, it would be a relief just to ask questions. Online medical archives were terrifying, and textbooks really didn’t help either. I hadn’t even known it was okay to do; I’d thought a doctor would always want to do a full physical. If that wasn’t the case, I could finally get some answers. I might not even have to worry anymore.

“Okay.” I pressed my chin to my knees once more. “But only for Dr. Kohler.”