Page 62 of Hidden

Julian’s gaze softened slightly, and he touched my face. His eyes were distant. It felt as though I was losing him. “You’re too kind for your own good sometimes. You had to know, on some level, agreeing with her wasn’t a good idea.”

What else was I supposed to do?

“I couldn’t let him die…” My voice sounded so small and my excuse pathetic. They couldn’t have expected me to—

Julian sucked in a breath, but before he could respond I had been pulled from him.

Then I was pressed against Damen’s chest. My hands were trapped by my face, and his arms engulfed my shoulders and head. He was shaking, and the world surrounding me was dark. All I could feel was Damen, warm against me. “Damen?”

“The medication?” Damen’s voice grumbled, and I wasn’t sure what he was asking.

But it was Julian who responded. “It has to be related. That’s what my mother and Du Yun are watching for, I’m sure. They probably thought that by suppressing her abilities, they were weakening the bond.”

“Bianca.” Damen squeezed once more before loosening his grip. Then his hands moved to my shoulders, holding me from him. The force of his presence almost overwhelmed me. “Can I see how the marks on your arm and back are healing?”

I blinked at him, unsure of how this related. “You mean the curse?”

“It might not have actually been a curse.” Damen was frowning now, barely disguised concerned flickering in his eyes. “You’re back on the medication. If it’s what I think, the marks should be nearly gone.”

Julian grasped the edge of my sleeve. Titus’s shirt was way too big on me, the bottom of the fabric brushed low against my elbows. I hadn’t considered the loose neck, and Julian was able to see down my back.

“They look better than they were even two days ago.” Julian’s finger tugged at my shirt. “They started healing faster once the medication resumed.”

My heart raced at the unexpected touch. I turned, ripping away from his hold, and put my back to the door. “You don’t need to look at them!”

Julian’s hand was still raised in the air, his face a picture of surprise. Damen, too, seemed stunned. It was better than the furious looks they had earlier, but my racing pulse didn’t steady in relief.

In fact, it only worsened. My fear blossoming as more connections were made. Past events I’d thought were unrelated. Another time when Finn, in his anger, had caused me to bruise in a similar way, rose to the forefront of my mind.

I was scared. They were looking for evidence against Finn. But I wouldn’t let them use me. It was one thing to hate him because he was a liar and a jerk. Or because he did, in fact, slam me against a wall and twist my arm.

He did deserve a beating, and I would help.

But it was another thing tokillhim over somethingIdid.

I would never be able to live with myself. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but I refused to let them use me to bring him down.

“Bianca!” Julian’s voice caused my stomach to clench. “Bianca, there is no need to worry yourself over this,” he said. “But you cannot hide. I still need to check up on you. You’re not recovered. The pain medication has to be almost out of your system. You were shot, and your neck cut. And I need to reapply your bandages.”

“Stay away from me.” My heart was beating wildly, and my breathing shallow. “You’re trying to use me to hurt Finn.”

Julian’s expression grew fierce, and his gaze seemed to darken. “He broke the law. You could have died. I am not giving him a free pass.”

“No!” I pressed against the door. I should never have said anything. “If it is anyone’s fault, it’s mine! I was the one who met with her.”

“This never would have happened if he wasn’t stubborn.” Julian’s jaw tightened. “He should have had more control over her—she never should have been able to meet with you alone. Now you won’t be able to use your abilities as you should. With that bond still active, you won’t be able to support Damen.”

My protests died, my thoughts slamming to a halt. My attention shifted to Damen—waiting for him to disagree. But his eyes were guarded now. His mouth thinned as our gazes met. “That’s a theory. You’re bonded outside of your quintet, and even you aren’t strong enough to sustain both of us.”

He nodded toward Bryce, who—along with Brayden and Miles—had gotten to their feet. “It’sBryce’sjob to support Finn. It’sFinn’sjob to bond with his shikigami.”

“I already support him.” Bryce crossed his arms. But although his words were argumentative, his tone was filled with contemplation. “Since Kiania has never affected me, I was assumed Finn was strong enough to handle it. Without Bianca carrying the burden, how much worse would it be?”

“Bryce won’t be able to support Finn on his own,” Julian said, narrowing his eyes at Damen. “Kiania is too strong. That’s why she’s never been contracted with anyone besides you. I told you it was suspicious, but everyone ignored me. You need to break the bond.”

I wasn’t sure what Julian meant. But from the torn look on Damen’s face, and the horrified expressions of the others, it wasn’t anything good.

I couldn’t breathe. “I can do both! Leave him alone!”