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My windowless prison was made up of bare walls and bright lights, leaving me alone with my memories. The past—and the expression on Bryce’s face when I’d been taken—kept returning to my thoughts.

Despite everything, my worst fears had come true. My parents had said they wanted me to get better, but I had no idea what that meant. What did they expect?

Meeting everyone had proven that I wasn’t crazy, that the things I saw were real, and this knowledge left my blood boiling at the injustice.

I wasn’t wrong! There was no reason to have me locked away, and I wouldn’t give in.

Someone knocked on the door, and I glanced toward it. I’d expected her to come, after all.

Sure enough, without waiting for a response, Dr. Reed strode into the room. She closed the door behind her. As our gazes met, her confident stride faltered.

“Bianca.” She sounded apologetic. “How are you? ”

I blinked at her, incredulous. What kind of question was that? Did she not realize where we were? Did she not have eyes?

“Why am I here?” I asked in return.

Her lips pressed together before she responded. “Why are you in a straightjacket? Is that blood?”

“I was brought here from the hospital.” I was too on edge to care about manners. “But I thought you knew that.”

“Yes.” She frowned and pulled the strings holding the jacket closed. “But I thought that they’d be gentle, at least.”

“They’re never gentle.” I shrugged as she pulled the garment off me. I watched as she set it aside and returned to check the wounds on my neck and shoulder.

“Do you know why?” I asked. I had nothing left to lose, and she might not answer—but it couldn’t hurt to ask. “Do you think they hate me?”

Dr. Reed froze, and her concern steeled over with something unreadable. She turned her worried, dark eyes from my wounds back to my face. “Pardon?”

My heartbeat thundered in my ears. I’d only suspected, but now…

I had started to wonder. Memories and thoughts intermingled, and conversations from the past began to make sense. Overheard accusations in dark hallways were finally becoming clear.

They knew . It wasn’t just my parents. But so many others had known this whole time.

But why would they lie? Why did they keep me locked away?

“I know who I am,” I told her, my gaze holding hers. I only wanted the truth. “I talked to Damen, and the others, and…”

Her brows furrowed. “What did Damen—”

“Why are you suppressing my abilities? Finn said that’s what the medicine was for,” I said. “Why did everyone want me to think I was crazy? ”

“Bianca…” Dr. Reed’s focus turned to my neck again. “No one wants you to think you’re crazy. Now let me fix this up, then we can talk. All right?”

It wasn’t all right, but what could I do?

I wasn’t exactly in a position to argue.

So I remained silent as she fussed around me.

I refused to react—despite the pain—when she peeled the dried bandages from my neck.

I was trying so hard to be strong, to ignore my discomfort, that by the time she finished, I was barely paying attention to her at all.

Instead, my mind had drifted.

She hadn’t looked surprised. It only confirmed my suspicions. But regardless of the truth, I was still locked away.

Why? Would I ever see the others again?

Finally, she pulled over a small chair and sat facing me. “Bianca,” she began, crossing her legs and folding her hands into her lap. “Please talk to me?”

Annoyance shot through me, electrifying my nerves. Before now, I had been numb and tired. But anger was beginning to swell in my chest.

“You lied to me.” I forced the words out through my fury. “How could you do that? You’re my doctor.”

How could I ever trust her again?

Dr. Reed grimaced. “You’re not wrong.” She looked away nervously. “But there are difficult circumstances involved, plus concerns regarding health. Those issues go beyond your abilities. This is not about you being the Xing.”

That didn’t matter—she still should have told me. I opened my mouth to tell her so, but she continued. “You stopped your medication. Have the dreams started again?”

My argument fell, and I stared at her.

She continued, “Your parents—and I—insist that you must meet with Dr. Nam before proceeding any further. ”

“W-what?” I blinked.

“Once you start therapy—and take it seriously—I’ll talk to your parents about getting you home,” she told me. “But I cannot in good conscience let this continue any longer. You must confront your past.”

What was that about my past?

Dr. Reed’s frown softened. “First things first, I suppose. Let’s discuss your dreams. Have you seen her lately?”

I forced myself not to tense. “What dreams?”

“The woman in your dreams—the one you used to call your friend.”

“No,” I answered, my voice steady despite my racing heart. “I don’t have those dreams anymore. It was just my imagination. Why do you care?”

She hummed but didn’t answer my question. “There’s another thing I’ve been wondering. Just how close are you with the boys?”

“Who?” To which group of boys was she referring? I’d been around a lot of boys lately.

“I am referring to Damen Abernathy, Julian Kohler, Miles Montrone, and Titus Ducharme,” she responded, confirming my suspicions. “The other Xing. How long have you known them? How did you meet? What is your relationship like?”

Why should I tell her? She wasn’t even being a good doctor.

“I—we’re friends,” I told her, not really answering her question. “I only met them about a week ago. They already told me everything.”

She pursed her lips, and I added, “They’re going to find me, and you’ll have to let me go!”

Dr. Reed rolled her shoulders, not looking at all afraid. “Not quite,” she said. “Even if they were living up to their fullest potential, their powers are balanced by the Council, and they are still obligated to their mentors. They can’t just do whatever they want.”

What was that supposed to mean?

A commotion from the hallway broke the moment. Dr. Reed shot to her feet and was halfway to the door when it slammed open.

Julian strode into the room without a word, his aura sharp and dangerous. His gaze instantly landed on me, and as our eyes met, the skies cleared. I could breathe again. I wasn’t sure how he had found me, or even why he was here. But I was so grateful.

He would take care of everything.

A nurse stumbled into the room after Julian, reaching for him. But Julian dodged him easily and pushed past Dr. Reed. He was beside me in an instant.

“Bianca—” His voice was soft as his fingers trailed over my cheek. “Are you okay?”

The nurse cringed at Dr. Reed. “I’m sorry, I—”

“Don’t bother.” Dr. Reed waved her hand dismissively, and the nurse, without another word, left the room. Her focus was entirely on the two of us, and I didn’t miss the way her frown deepened as her gaze lingered on his hand. But even more surprising than that was the next exchange.

“Why are you here?” Dr. Reed closed her eyes. She sounded as if she was forcing herself to be patient.

Julian narrowed his eyes at her. “I could ask you the same thing, Mother .”

My muscles seized as Julian glared at her while she rubbed her temples. A long moment passed, and finally, I couldn’t hold back my question any longer.

I looked at Julian. “She’s your m-mother?”

“Yes,” he said, his tone regretful as his attention returned to me. “I didn’t know until you gave me your medication, and I didn’t want to say anything until I knew that you were safe. She’s using a different name. I had no idea—”

“Julian wasn’t aware of your existence.” Dr. Reed sighed, returning to her chair. “At least until recently, it appears. Regardless. Julian, Bianca is my patient. You have no grounds to even be in this room.”

“I won’t leave,” he said, lowering his head. “I am her supporter. I have every right to stay with her.”

“Unfortunately, modern law doesn’t take that into consideration.” Dr. Reed leaned back in her seat. “And there are private things that I need to discuss with Bianca. Go wait for me in my office.”

“N-no!” I grabbed his hand and pulled it to my chest. He couldn’t leave! His presence was the only thing keeping me from the darkness. “I want him to stay! Please, d-don’t make him leave.”

“Bianca,” Dr. Reed said, “we’re going to discuss your medical history. Are you certain that you’re okay with that?”

My heart skipped, and realization buzzed through my awareness. But my fear of being alone was suffocating, especially with comfort so close at hand.

“Stay…” I tightened my hold on his hand, but he didn’t complain. “Please.”

Julian’s expression morphed from a worried mask to determined, and his focus shot back to his mother. There was a tone of command in his voice when he spoke, “What’s going on? Let me help.”

“If you remain, you must keep in mind that Bianca cannot decide on her own treatment,” Dr. Reed said, straightening in her seat. “And if you want any respect with her parents, you cannot approach them as her friend. You must be professional.”

Julian blinked at her. “What? ”

“I know you can do this,” she said, determination setting into her expression.

“I will take you on as my resident, but there will be things in her records that you won’t be able to access, at least not now.

And if Bianca doesn’t want to discuss something, then you are not to press it. In the end, she is my patient.”

This was happening so fast, and now he was going to be my doctor? This wasn’t what I’d agreed to.

My grip on his hand loosened as fear turned my blood to ice.

There were things Julian couldn’t know about me. Things I never wanted anyone to know. What if he found out?

This was a terrible idea.

However, relief practically radiated from him—how could I take that away?

“On that note,” Dr. Reed began, and my skin began to feel clammy at the look on her face. “Bianca, I’m putting you back on prescription.”

I clenched my fingers in my lap and opened my mouth to protest, but Julian beat me to it.

“Why?” he asked.

She looked at him. “Julian, what did I just tell you?”