Page 127 of Hidden

‘Wewerefriends.’ The tiger cocked her head, golden eyes reflecting off the light of my small lamp. She changed the subject. ‘But you’re not the same. When the moon isn’t out, you can’t even sleep alone in the dark.’

“I can so!” My voice was low, and I pulled the covers around my face. I didn’t need a light—most nights. I once thought I’d gotten past that. Outside, in the forest where nature surrounded me, there was no issue. There was a natural light there, even in the night. But lately, when trying to sleep inside, it felt like the night threatened to swallow me whole.

I expected her to remark on my lie. After all, she seemed to be able to read my mind.

But, instead, she said something I didn’t expect.

’Don’t run from Finn.’ She sounded further away. ‘He had a moment of human weakness, but—throughout this—he’s been your greatest ally. If our past together means anything to you, you’ll consider my words.’

I ignored her. After all, how I felt about Finn was none of her business.

’Out of everyone in his circle, you should understand his actions, considering.’

I sat up in my bed, my racing heartbeat echoing loudly in my ears. The forest from my dream flashed across my thoughts. It’d felt so real—I could almost smell the wet moss, hear the wind moving through the trees.

She’d said something similar there. Was it a coincidence?

“Hey…” My words trailed off—she was already gone. The darkness surrounded me once again.

Saturday morning brought Finn avoiding me at breakfast. And he disappeared shortly thereafter. Apparently, he was having a private meeting with Damen. But I didn’t care, I was far from ready to talk to him again anyway. The coursing heat of his betrayal still flooded through my system, along with something new.

It felt suspiciously like guilt, which couldn’t be true.

Curse that stupid white tiger. She was the one who didn’t understand.

I’d been named after my mother, and she was dead. The entire time, myex-best friendknew about this! He’d hid this from me. How was I supposed to feel?

He also said that I looked like her. Bryce did too, but it was expected that he knew what his own mother look like. She had been in his life. But what really stuck with me was thatFinnknew, too.

And—outside of a vague reference to look in the mirror—I still had no idea.

How much more was I supposed to take?

I couldn’t face anyone, not right now. Now that Damen had given me a refuge, I didn’t need to. Instead of socializing, I spent the morning setting up base. And really, my new room was quite pretty. I had been too exhausted, and distracted, to notice the smaller details of Damen’s craftsmanship. Such as the inlaid gold in the crown molding—Damen was truly terrible with money. Either that, or it was fake.

Either way, I hadn’t technically accepted this finery as a gift. I was simply a resident of this establishment. So there was no reason tonotenjoy the riches life had bestowed upon me.

There was even an adult-sized, fuzzy beanbag chair and a corner library. How could I ever repay him?

I was quitting school Monday—no more French class for me. I had a space all to myself. I had money—no matter that I couldn’t access it yet. Finally, my little introverted heart was at peace. And, now, for the first time in a long time, no prying eyes stalked my every movement.

As I lay back on my beanbag chair, I studied the strange cherubic patterns on my ceiling. They almost seemed like something from an art history book. Did Damen hire a painter, too?

I should probably ask him, but then he might flirt with me. Some of the creatures were naked, and I’d rather not bring attention to that aspect. Anything with nudity and Damen should be avoided at all costs. What if he grinned in that lopsided way of his and he tempted me to kiss him again? Now that I was aware of the Curse of Empaths, I had to be ever vigilant.

Ignoring these things was for the best. Life was bliss—

“Bianca.” Bryce knocked on my door only once before popping his head into my room. He wore his usual commanding look, and it was obvious he wouldn’t take no for an answer. “I need to talk to you.”

I raised my eyebrow, disappointed at the rudeness. Was it not clear that I was busy?

“Brayden would like to talk to you, too,” he added, and the other man smiled at me apologetically, stepping into the room.

Brayden did? If Brayden needed something, it might be important.

I turned to my stomach, watching them as they stepped into my space.

“You’ve been hiding in your room all day.” Bryce gestured toward a settee tucked under my window. “We’ve been waiting for you to come out. Go sit there so you’re not sprawled all over the floor.”