Page 63 of Possession

Is everything a joke to you?

Funny things are.

I glance at Ryan, wanting for him to back me up or to say anything, but he’s nothing more than a statute. Frustrated, I look back at Henry. “I swear, I didn’t know anything,” I mutter, eyes stinging.

I think back to the conversation Aris and I shared yesterday, but what could I really have conjectured from it? How was I to know that he would let Ryan find us?

He found us on his own.

You could have stopped him.

Why would I do that?

“Mary,” Henry says finally. I jerk at the sound of my name, looking into his eyes, seeing his reluctance and hesitation, and quickly look away. “If he’s one of Aris’ followers, that means he belongs to the cult that tried to kill you. He could bring them here.”

“Aris says that he won’t,” I say quickly.

“Maybe they’ve followed Ryan without his knowledge.” He shakes his head. “It won’t be safe here.”

Will he leave now? Aris stirs in excitement.

Is that why you did this, because of Henry? Because you’re jealous?

Jealous. He scoffs. This is the thanks I get for protecting you further?

We don’t need Ryan!

Why, because you have Henry—whose mind I can’t read, whose loyalties are unclear?

He’s helped us so far.

Yes, but why?

Maybe he’s just nice.

People are not “just nice.”

What would you know about people?

More than you, it seems. Do you really think that he’s helping you out of the goodness of his heart? Or because he thinks you’re pretty? Because he likes you?

Why are you being so mean?

I’m being honest. Look at what you’re working yourself up over.

At his words, I do glance back at Henry and startle to see him staring at me expectantly. I’m not sure how long he’s been watching me for, but it’s clear that I’ve missed something that he said.

I flush. Normally I don’t get so caught up with Aris, but I’m not normally so upset with him either. We finally had some peace and quiet, and he ruined it.

How am I ruining things by adding an extra layer of protection?

It’s something that Henry isn’t comfortable with!

Then he can leave.

“What did you say?” I ask Henry, voice strained.

And now you’re ignoring me. You are being petty.

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