Page 276 of Halfblood Deceived

“A lot of us have seen it,” Nurse Jasmine muttered, flicking a glance at Aella.

Aella flushed, feeling embarrassed and exposed. Kamilla had informed her of this. The supernatural community deserved to know the truth of what had happened. And hopefully, it would help protect Diana from any hate-provoked attacks.

“How could I blame you when I saw the evidence of what Brittany did?” Jessa asked Diana. She gulped, looking out the window. “And I was under that gods-forsaken curse as well. I hurt you, too. I was screaming in my head, but I could do nothing but watch how I hurled slurs at you and…” She closed her eyes for a moment, and then met Diana’s gaze. “You know that I resent gargoyles for killing my brother. And I… I’ve disliked you both on principle because of that.” She exhaled brusquely. “No, that’s not true. I did my best to dislike you, but I really couldn’t. You are not monsters, neither of you, and that was hard for me to accept, but I’ve done it now, OK? I have for a while. We were all Brittany’s victims. And that’s that.”

Aella smiled tentatively at Jessa. “I’m so glad you survived, Jessa.” She blinked tears away and wiped them with the sleeve of her hoodie. “And I’m so sorry you had to go through something so horrible.”

Jessa huffed. “And what about you, Aella? I knew you’d survived when I saw that recording, and I could barely tolerate watching it. I don’t think I’d have been brave enough to do what you did.”

Aella grimaced. “It wasn’t bravery. It was recklessness and despair.”

“Why not both?” Jessa asked.

Nurse Jasmine gave an agreeing hum.

Jessa examined Aella and Diana. “Are you both fully recovered?”

“I’m a bit sore, but I’m used to it,” Aella said without thinking, earning herself surprised looks from both Nurse Jasmine and Jessa.

Diana cleared her throat. “I’m fine. And you?”

“I have mobility from the waist up and full sensitivity.” Jessa sighed. “I can’t move my legs. I can just about wiggle one toe. But the fey surgeon, Mari, says that with therapy, I’ll be able to walk again.”

Aella smiled. “That’s fantastic news.”

Jessa’s lips flickered. “Agreed. Reese, Rod, Jordan, and Vaz visited me. They’re fine too. But they said you’ve been avoiding them, Diana.”

Diana tugged at the collar of her black T-shirt and ran a hand through her chaotic red hair. “We’re gonna have lunch with them, plus Mac, Trin, and Lupita in a while.”

“Good,” Jessa approved. She bit her lip and considered both Aella and Diana. “You can come visit me if you want. I’m going to be stuck here for weeks, and I’ll go round the bend without company.”

Diana smiled. Her shoulders relaxed further. “I’d like that.”

“Same,” Aella said. “I can bring you some books!”

Jessa chuckled. “Sure.”

“What are those beasts doing here!” a feminine voice cried.

Aella turned to see Jessa’s mom enter the room. She came to stand beside Jessa’s bed, shaking with fury, eyes golden. “You almost killed my baby! Get out of here, you filthy beasts!”

“Zariah, ma’am, calm down,” Nurse Jasmine said, looking stern and commanding despite being about half a foot shorter than Aella. “Your daughter doesn’t need to hear you scream.”

“Then get those beasts out of here!” Zariah cried.

“Mom,” Jessa said.

Zariah aimed a finger at Diana. “They should have killed you for what you did to my baby.”

Diana swallowed hard. “I’m sorry.”

Zariah growled. “That’s not good enough!”

“Mom!” Jessa cried. She winced as if something hurt.

Zariah’s hands hovered over her daughter. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“Are you alright?” Nurse Jasmine asked.

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