Page 38 of Hidden

Julian’s mouth was still open, his expression stunned. Meanwhile, Damen’s hands dropped as his head snapped up.

“What?” His eyes sought out mine. “What happened?”

I finished my cheeseburger, no longer excited about eating the second. Not with Damen and Julian watching me as if they’d come to a horrible realization. “I told you before that the nurses are mean…”

I had told them, at least of what I was sure was real. I told everyone. But no one believed me.

It was interesting to watch Julian and Damen’s expressions become similarly murderous.

Damen’s eyebrow twitched as he leaned forward, but Julian spoke first. “What have they been doing?”

“When you leave, they shut off the lights. I’m supposed to have a light on…” I glanced toward the barred door. “Dr. Reed ordered someone stay with me, so I’m not bored or lonely. But when she’s not here, no one talks to me. She told them to give me books. You brought my textbooks.” I looked at Julian. “But they won’t let me have them… They won’t give me anything to do.

“I feel like I’m being punished. It’s not so bad, this time. Because you’re here. That’s the only way I know time is passing. When they bring me food, it’s always seems random. They’re not really nice when they change my bandages. And, when I try to sleep, they’ll stand outside my room and talk about me.”

“What do they say?” Julian asked, his voice calm despite the murder written on his face.

“They’re scared of me. I’ve done bad things,” I said, trying to remain detached. “I’ve hurt people, and I’m dangerous.”

“I’ll show them dangerous.” Damen jumped to his feet. But he was stopped by Julian’s hand on his arm. “What?”

“You can’t handle this.” Julian’s expression had closed off, and his eyes darkened as he responded, “This needs to go to Miles.”

“Why Miles?” I tilted my head. The fact they were angry made me feel a little less crazy.

“Most of the employees here are his,” Julian said. “Earth types tend to be drawn to nurturing professions. But true professionals don’t allow prejudices and fears affect their care. They’ve broken rules Miles has been upholding for centuries. They’ve abused and neglected a patient and need to be held responsible.”

Damen fell back into his seat, covering his eyes. “We’re still not listening.”

My appetite returned. I slowly took another bite of my dinner, watching the two of them. I had no idea what Damen was talking about. However, it hadn’t taken me long to learn that if no one else was talking, he’d keep giving out information anyway.

Julian didn’t respond to Damen’s statement. “We need to get her out of here.”

“I’m trying,” Damen replied. “Miles said he had an idea, but I haven’t heard anything.”

Bryce, who had been silent until now, cleared his throat. “Speaking of,” he began. Wariness washed over me at the look in his eyes, and I doubted his next words would make me happy. “We should let everyone know we’re married.”

My food suddenly tasted like ash, and I stared at him, dumbfounded. “What?”

Before Bryce could explain his sudden delusion, there was a choked sound from the other side of the room. Julian interjected, his voice strained. “Pardon me?”

Damen still stared at Bryce, his face slowly turning scarlet.

“It was Miles’s idea.” Bryce shrugged, his tone factual. “A spouse could override Mr. and Mrs. Geier’s claims. He’s started the paperwork already. Supposedly, we’ve fallen in love and got married after classes began. If you want to leave, just tell them that you’re with me. I’ll get you out.”

My heart thundered as the cheeseburger dropped to my lap.

It was a brilliant idea. But this wasBryce. What were his motives?

“Is that why you brought me food?” I turned my narrowed eyes to him. “You’re using a cheeseburger to bribe me into marriage? What kind of engagement gift is this?”

“Actually, no. I’ve more class than that. The food is extra.” Bryce shrugged. “I’m getting you a ring.”

Damen jumped to his feet, pulling me behind him. He didn’t seem to care about the mess he made with my meal as it fell to the floor in the movement.

“Absolutely not,” he seethed. Before I could even process what was happening, Julian had also moved between us. I couldn’t see Bryce anymore.

“You must be joking.” Julian’s voice was tight. “Or Miles has lost his mind. What would possess him to come up with such a plan? You know she’s not allowed to get married. Once it comes out who she is, the council will be dangerous enough to navigate.”