Page 65 of Hidden

Everyone’s attention was on Julian and Damen. Julian was leaning against the wall next to the empty hearth. Damen continued his pacing as he muttered angrily under his breath.

I wasn’t sure what he was saying, but, slowly, the annoyed expression he’d worn since the kitchen began to fade. When he looked at Finn again, he was calmer.

“Who is Cory?” he asked. “What are you talking about?”

My face heated in embarrassment. I would much rather be discussing anything else.

Weren’t we supposed to be talking about my impending death?

Finn frowned, leaning into his seat. “Cory was our classmate. He kept targeting Bianca, and she wouldn’t fight back. Once, after Kiania changed our contract, he and his friends hurt her. So I beat the shit out of them.”

I hid my face behind my hands. This was so humiliating; I couldn’t even bring myself to protest. Did he really have to go into this much detail? I sounded like such a loser.

“That’s when Bianca jumped into the fight. I grabbed her arm to pull her out of it,” Finn continued.

How dare he say it like that! “I was trying to stop you! I didn’t want you to get into trouble,” I said. I had saved him from being expelled. He should be grateful.

Finn waved his hand in the air, ignoring me. “She had a mark where I touched her. It looked like a bruise. Dr. Kohler didn’t know it was because of our bond or if she injured easily. She couldn’t find any research on it. But it wouldn’t heal.”

“There’s not going to be any research.” Julian stroked his chin. “So the medication does suppress the bond?”

“They weren’t sure it would work,” Finn said. “But the marks were starting to spread. It was hurting her. Then there was the fact Bianca was afraid of her abilities. So they decided to try the medication to see if it could help. It was luck that it ended up working.”

I blinked at Finn, just a bit lost. But everyone was nodding, as if his words made perfect sense.

This was the second time this had come up.

“Um…” I tentatively interjected, and eight gazes shot to me. My pulse picked up, but I continued, nonetheless. “I don’t know why you all seem to think I’m scared of my abilities. But that’s not true.”

Finn frowned, watching me in confusion. “When you bring up the paranormal, you’re shaking and terrified. And you always seem to think you are going to die.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “I’m not upset because I can see ghosts.”

Finn’s frown deepened.

“Most of the time,” I added. He did have a point about being fearful of being killed.

That was, after all, a highly ranked concern of mine.

At Finn’s look of disbelief, I pressed forward. “I was nervous because I wanted you to believe me. This is stupid, you’re the worst best friend ever!”

Finn’s brow furrowed. “What?”

“Why didn’t you ask mewhyI was afraid?” He was such an idiot. “For the record, in general, I’mnotscared of ghosts. There are many things out there more terrifying than the paranormal.”

“What…?” Finn still seemed confused.

“The only ghosts that concern me are the ones who are actively trying tokill me.” I pointed at him. “Such as the one in Professor Hamway’s house. The one Itoldyou about!”

Everyone looked between the two of us, disbelief radiating through the room.

It was Bryce who finally spoke. “Finn, you need to work on your communication skills.”

Finn turned his burning gaze on him. “I don’t want to hear that fromyou,” he growled. “Besides, that’s not the only reason.” His vision snapped back to mine. “If you’re not scared, why won’t you talk about your first experience? Every medium likes to brag about it. You’vealwaysfreaked out.”

My mouth opened in protest, my heart pounding at his accusation.

Thiswas why he thought I was afraid?