Page 209 of Whispers of Wisteria

Uncle Gregory nodded.

“But…” I began, hesitating only briefly before bracing myself. “I’m not ready to do that yet. Still, I’d like to see it. But I want to stay here.”

He paused as his gaze moved over me. My shoulders tightened.

“Fine,” he said finally. “So long as it remains safe for you to do so.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

“However,” Uncle Gregory pushed up his glasses, “moving forward, your location will be tracked.”

Damen glared at him, but it wasn’t like he’d said anything wrong.

“O-okay…” I hugged myself and bit my lip.

Uncle Gregory frowned. He probably expected me to argue.

“Seems like the right time to mention it,” he added. “You’ve had a chaperone since last week.”

I stepped back. “What?”

“His name is Zane Papadakis,” he continued, almost dismissively. “He is your half-cousin on your paternal grandmother’s side.”

Bryce, who’d had a similar reaction to mine, suddenly glared.

“He’s active when you’re on campus,” Uncle Gregory said. “He’ll be working covertly until a later time. He will not intervene unless there’s a direct threat and you’re by yourself. You’ve already seen him once.”

Was he talking about the fae man who’d saved me? But still…

“I don’t want a chaperone,” I replied.

“Still, here we are,” he said calmly. His stance shifted, more relaxed. “You are a Dubois with Stephens blood—and you are Mu. You’ve recently been taken as happenstance—”

I flinched and held my rabbit tighter.

“It would be undoubtedly worse if it were with purpose once your identity is revealed. There are other factions who’d like to hurt you that have nothing to do with the Guild.”

I stared at the floor.

“You say you do not want a chaperone,” he continued. “You don’t want to see anyone hurt. But Mr. Zane was not forced into this role. He accepted it, knowing exactly who you are and what it might mean, because he believes your life is worth protecting.”

My eyes burned.

“I guess…” I said slowly. “We’ll see. I-I don’t want to be kidnapped again.”

It’d already been twice in less than three months. I must have some kind of record.

He was quiet for a second before he suddenly asked, “Do you still want to work with Gloria?”

“I…” My voice broke as I looked up, and my face grew warm. “Yes.”

“Why?” He was studying my reactions, and I stiffened before I could stop myself. “The real reason.”

The real reason…

It wasn’t because Damen needed the help and might be in moral peril any given moment, and it wasn’t even for the sleuthing snacks.

“I like solving puzzles.” I squeezed the rabbit and added, “And I want to help the people who get left behind.”