Page 151 of Hidden

Guilt washed over me—I hadn’t meant to hurt his feelings! “Miles—”

But he’d already turned from me, slipping out of the room without another word.

“That’s not what I meant!” I protested, looking to Damen for help. Hurting Miles was the last thing I wanted. “What should I do?”

“Give him time,” Damen said, watching after Miles’s retreat. And although he was speaking to me, it felt as though his mind wasn’t present. “He’d been looking forward to this for a while. And he’s on edge lately. His power isn’t at a stable place.”

I looked at Titus, trying to find an ally. Julian was too tired to be much help, and Damen clearly had other things on his mind.

And me? I could barely move.

But I couldn’t leave things with Miles like this. “What—”

“He’s overly-sensitive right now. I’ll go talk to him.” Titus rolled his shoulders and stretched before making his way to the bed. He ignored the fact that we had witnesses, and leaned down, brushing his lips over my forehead.

“I’m glad you’re awake,” he said, and then he, too, left the room.

“Now get out!” Dr. Reed repeated, glaring at the rest of the room’s inhabitants and pointing at the door with a harsh movement. “All of you,” she added, narrowing her eyes at Damen, as if indicating that she meant him specifically. “You’re going to be in my way.”

Bryce and Brayden slipped out the door without argument, and the room already felt larger. Then, sighing, Julian got to his feet before he looked expectantly in my direction. At Damen.

The onmyoji hesitated briefly before his grip loosened from my shoulders. “Fine,” he muttered, his lips turning down into a pout. “But I’m not happy about it.”

“Duly noted,” Dr. Reed chirped. It didn’t sound like she cared. “Now move it.”

Once they’d left, the space felt cold with only me, Dr. Reed, and Dr. Stephens present.

The older man remained near my second armchair, rooting through a bag.

She turned to him, narrowing her eyes. “I’m talking to you too.”

“I think not.” Dr. Stephens shot her a bored look and raised his eyebrow in challenge. “Without guardians present, she’s my responsibility.”

“Not anymore she’s not,” Dr. Reed responded, squaring her shoulders. “Or have you missed that she’s married to Bryce.”

The blasé façade faded and he openly scowled. “Please don’t remind me.” He touched his tie, and I could easily imagine him to be a pearl-clutcher. “Wait until Caleb finds out. He’ll be insufferable.”

“Um…” I raised my finger, attempting to interject, but they ignored me.

“It’s your fault anyway—whatever it was that you did. I know you’re behind this. So you can’t complain, because the reason you’re stuck withBryceis because Abigail forced him to act,” Dr. Reed said.

“That’s between Bianca and myself. Besides, I’m a doctor,” Dr. Stephens pointed out. “And as qualified as you are with mental health, I ammore.”

I glanced between the two of them. The air in the room was tight with tension.

But at the same time, it was almost interesting.

“You’re a quack,” Dr. Reed said, pulling the scope of her stethoscope from behind the lapel of her white coat. “Why would you approve of such a stunt? You’ve jeopardized the health and wellbeing of my son and Bianca. I—on the other hand—am anactualmedical professional. Which medical school did you go to again?”

“They arefine. He’syourson, and she’sAlyssa’sdaughter. Do you really think they can’t handle a minor astral adventure? You’re usually so agreeable, but now you’re surprisingly hostile. There’s nothingherethat is a threat to them.” Dr. Stephens’s frown deepened and he straightened. He turned toward Dr. Reed, mock-concern on his face. “Is the stress getting to you? What are you so worried about?”

“I’m okay!” I squeaked, waving my hands in front of me and cutting into their heated argument. She was worried? Was that why her face was flushed and her movements frazzled? I held out my arm and tried to smile. It was kind of unsteady, but I managed. “Why don’t you see, Dr. Reed? I’ll be fine.”

Dr. Reed turned from Dr. Stephens, blinking at me. Then she let out a slow breath, and—tentatively—reached for my hand.

I held my breath—this was the first time she’d hesitated before touching me. Usually, she had complete confidence in her actions.

Her initial reluctance confirmed what Julian had already told me—she could read my emotions by touch. She’d been doing it all along, and I’d never noticed.