Page 151 of Whispers of Wisteria

“What?” Brayden blinked. “Since when?”

“The majority of her life,” Gregory responded. “She was cursed as a child. We haven’t been successful in breaking it.”

“And you didn’t think we needed to know?” I asked.

“Hardly anyone knew. Plus”—Gregory narrowed his eyes—“Gloria has proven herself many times over throughout the years.”

“That’s not what I mean,” I interrupted. I wasn’t going to blame someone for something that wasn’t their fault. “It’s the secrecy. I never would have let Bianca go alone.”

“That’s why I’d forbidden it,” Gregory rebutted. “Gloria cannot defend herself, let alone Bianca.”

“But you let Mother study with her!” Bryce protested.

“Alyssa had chaperones,” Gregory replied evenly. “And Gloria’s more than capable, so long as the situation doesn’t require shifting. Bianca does not have that same level of protection. That is the most likely reason Gloria allowed Dr. Sartore to be present.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Lee said. “Even if she could shift, none of them can stand against Jameson.”

Bryce looked ready to explode.

“Let us agree that there have been multiple oversights,” Joe interrupted. He sat back in his seat. “We need to focus on a solution.”

“Does Jameson know about Gloria?” I asked.

“No,” Gregory replied. “Despite what he might believe, Dr. Duff is not required to know everything.”

I looked back at the table, pondering.

“I think,” I said finally, “that could be a good thing.”

“How so?” Gregory asked.

“Gloria was an Elder long before he became a Paragon. He’s used to how she works. He’s going to underestimate her.”

“That does not change the fact that she cannot shift,” Gregory pointed out.

“We’re at a disadvantage,” I continued, and Gregory fell silent. “We have no idea where they are, and there’s no hint of a location. Even the shikigami are blocked. There’s only one way out—from the inside.”

“How is that—”

“Bianca is there,” I interrupted, looking up. I met Finn’s eyes. “You said she’s reckless. She’s not the sort to sit idly by. Even if all the shifters are incapacitated, she’ll move.”

Gregory’s response was stone. “She is hurt.”

“She is Mu,” I rebutted. “If anyone can figure it out, she can. They’ll miscalculate what it’ll take to contain Gloria. I assume that Titus and Bianca will be separated. Once he realizes who sheis, Jameson wouldn’t put her near him, especially if she’s hurt. Jameson’s focus will be on Titus. Bianca will get them out.”

“Again, Gloria cannot—”

“Bianca will figure it out,” I said. I believed in her.

I couldn’t even consider the alternative.

Gregory’s voice was low when he spoke. “You think she’s going to break Gloria’s curse?”

“I know she is.”

She could. She’d broken Daniel Cole’s spell, outmaneuvered me with James Cole, and had even given me a new, but very disturbing, way to dispose of Bryce.

Hell, she’d created that ugly dragon through sheer willpower alone.