Page 51

I woke with a gasp, choking as a coughing fit took over. Warm hands moved over me, and someone pulled me into a sitting position while patting my back. Once my breathing evened out, the hands started poking and prodding at me.

The bright light hurt my eyes, and I covered my face. “S-s-stop!”

“Bianca, I need to check your vitals,” Dr. Reed said gently. Her cool hands moved efficiently, checking my pulse, pupils, and oxygen levels. After a few minutes, she seemed satisfied with my physical state, though concern lingered in her eyes.

There was a rustle, and Damen’s warm skin suddenly pressed against mine. He’d crawled onto the bed, pulling me against him.

Everything hurt. Besides that, my throat was raw, my mouth dry, and my hair tangled. Also, someone had changed me from the vintage pajamas that Bryce hated so much.

“Welcome back, sweetie.” Dr. Reed’s voice was a mix of relief and concern. I peeked at her through my fingers, noting Detective Kohler standing behind her as she turned to Julian. “Just how long were you expecting to be gone?”

Julian was blearily blinking himself awake beside Damen and me. “What—” He rubbed his eyes. “How long has it been?”

“I arrived as this foolish man completed his contribution to this terrible breach of ethics,” Dr. Reed replied as she put her hands on her hips, and the room chilled under the force of her anger. “Then you still didn’t wake up, and we had no idea what happened. It’s been hours .”

“Hours?” Julian asked, looking at his hands.

I glanced between them, my foggy brain trying to catch up. Hours? It hadn’t felt that long in my head. And what was this about a breach of ethics?

My gaze drifted to Detective Kohler. Why was he here? This day was already shaping up to be a mess, and I’d only been awake for five minutes.

“Come on now, Trinity,” Detective Kohler shrugged. “No need to get all worked up. The girl’s awake now, isn’t she?”

“That doesn’t justify your involvement,” she replied.

“I was asked to assist,” he stated calmly, his posture straight. “Perhaps we should focus on the patient now. There are more pressing matters at hand.”

She frowned but turned back to me, her expression softening. “Yes, you’re right. Bianca,” she said, her voice warm with concern. “You’ve had us all so worried. Are you all right?”

“I feel okay,” I answered, swallowing. I spotted Bryce, gathering my courage before it could fail me.

“I’m sorry…” I began, my voice barely above a whisper. The others seemed to fade from the room as I held his gaze. Despite Julian’s reassurances, I was sure he’d blame me. My heart raced, but I pushed on.

“I didn’t realize until you showed me her picture,” I said, hiding my shaking hands under the blankets. “I met our mother before, but she never told me who she was.”

A crease had formed on his forehead, and his face darkened. The first hint of emotion had broken through the surface of his blank expression. He was going to say something mean; I knew it. But I continued before he could interject.

I needed him to know everything .

“She was…” I wasn’t even sure how to describe what happened: killed again , delivered to hell? “…taken? I think.” Bryce’s frown deepened, and my stomach lurched. “It was my fault. Something tried to kill me, and—”

“I know,” he said. “Joe told us. That’s not your fault.”

“It’s not,” Brayden interjected, crossing his arms and nodding sharply.

I blinked at them. I didn’t need to explain?

“Alyssa’s spirit might still be unharmed.” Dr. Stephens scratched his cheek. He stepped away from my bed and pulled on his tweed jacket. “The entire situation doesn’t sound right. Kappa don’t destroy.”

“They kill children,” Damen said dryly, still holding me against him.

Dr. Stephens shrugged. “They collect the spirits of children, yes, but they don’t destroy them.” He said all this as if this was a regular thing, and I stared at him. But he didn’t notice and continued, “They normally have no interest in adults.”

His attention turned to me, and I shivered in response. That’s right—Julian said he now knew who I was.

My reaction hadn’t gone unnoticed by Damen, who tightened his grip over my shoulders.

But Dr. Stephens only watched me curiously for an instant. Then he cocked his head and said with a disinterested tone, “You and I have a lot to discuss. ”

Oh no. Why did it seem like he wanted to lecture me?

“You can have your discussion later.” Dr. Reed stepped between us. “She only just woke up. And if you’re quite finished hijacking my patient, I want all of you to get out.”

Damen hissed in a breath, and I peeked at him. His angular jaw was covered with dark stubble, and his expression was stubbornly set into a refusal. But despite that, his face was lined with the heavy lines of exhaustion.

The other men seemed similarly worn.

Julian still hadn’t gathered his bearings, and his exhaustion was tangible.

Miles had dark circles under his eyes and was slumped in a seat on the floor near the vanity.

Titus, who’d been silently watching me, glared at Dr. Reed with an intense look that made me worry he might try to rip off her face.

They all looked ready to pass out, but Julian the most.

“And Julian, go to bed,” Dr. Reed commanded.

Julian shook his head, instantly appearing more alert. “I’m not tired.”

“Yes, he is. He’s just pretending.” I spoke before thinking of the implications.

The room seemed to hold its breath, and a long moment passed as everyone’s attention returned to me. I shifted nervously, realizing my mistake a second too late. “It’s true, though,” I protested, my voice wavering.

Dr. Reed’s eyes widened slightly, then narrowed as she looked between Julian and me. “I see,” she said, her voice carefully neutral. “Well, that settles it. Everyone out. Now.”

“What?” Damen protested, tightening his hold on me. “I’m not leaving. Bianca needs me.”

“She doesn’t need you. She needs rest and space.” Dr. Reed fixed him with a stern look, echoing my thoughts. “You can come back later. ”

“But—” Damen started, his jaw set stubbornly.

“No buts,” Dr. Reed cut him off. “Out. Now.”

Damen opened his mouth to argue further, but Dr. Reed held up a hand. “Fine,” he muttered, his lips turning 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.”

Reluctantly, Damen squeezed my hand one last time before he left. Julian cast a worried glance my way but allowed his mother to usher him out. Titus followed, looking like he wanted to say something but thinking better, while Bryce and Brayden stepped after him.

Miles lingered through the doorway, and he glanced at me. His brow was furrowed, and he seemed lost in thought. For a moment, our eyes met, and his expression lightened.

“I won’t be long,” he said suddenly, closing the distance between us. He kissed my forehead then, grasping my hand, touched his lips to my fingertips. “Just wait for me.”

I wanted to ask what he meant, but he looked so determined I could only nod.

And with that, he dropped my hand and left the room.

I stared after him, a strange mix of unease settling in my chest. Why would he say such a thing, and why did it feel like a goodbye?

The room suddenly felt much larger and colder as the door closed behind them. I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling exposed without Damen’s warmth beside me.

Detective Kohler stood near the door, pulling at his earlobe, while Dr. Stephens put a bag on my vanity and began to root through it.

She turned to them, narrowing her eyes. “I’m also talking to you two. ”

“No, I don’t think so,” Detective Kohler said.

At the same time, Dr. Stephens also replied, “I think not.”

“Why the hell not?” Dr. Reed threw her hands into the air. “You two may be Elders, but Bianca is still my patient.”

“And our responsibility,” Dr. Stephens replied calmly. “The girl’s awakening has implications beyond just her health.”

Detective Kohler nodded, his expression serious. “Trinity, you should have come to us from the very beginning.”

“Yes, indeed,” Dr. Stephens added, shooting her a bored look. “She’s my charge.”

“Not anymore, she’s not.” Dr. Reed squared her shoulders. “Haven’t you heard she’s a married woman? Bryce is in charge of her now.”

“You shouldn’t judge them.” Detective Kohler frowned. “Fae can be strange—”

“That has nothing to do with being fae!” Dr. Stephens’s blasé facade finally faded as he scowled at them. “And don’t even remind me of that stupidity!”

“Be reminded,” Dr. Reed replied. “You can’t imagine the trouble it’s caused me. Besides, I know this is somehow your fault.” She looked toward her father and added. “And yours! Why can’t you two behave respectably?”

“We’re Elders.” Detective Kohler looked at her, disapproving. “We’re already respectable.”

She scoffed.

“Is that why you didn’t consult with us?” Dr. Stephens asked. “You think we let Kieran take her from Whisperwind ?”

She glared at him, stepping closer to me. “ You trained him, and you were there. There’s no way he acted without orders.”

“Well,” Dr. Stephens said, his tone carefully neutral. “Yes, I suppose it’s true. But it’s more complicated than you think. ”

Detective Kohler stepped forward. “We had our reasons. Sometimes, the bigger picture must be considered.”

Dr. Reed’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not good enough.”

I shifted uncomfortably in the bed. “D-don’t I get a say?”

They all turned to look at me, seeming surprised.

“Why?” I asked Dr. Stephens. “Wa-was it because of the prophecy?”

Dr. Stephens cleared his throat, his face a mask of professional detachment. “As Elders, it’s our duty to oversee your development and ensure your safety. This is especially true considering that prophecy. So, yes, that was a major contention.”

I nodded.

“But,” Dr. Stephens continued, “the decision wasn’t mine either. And who’s to say I even agreed with it?”

Was someone else involved? “W-who?”