Chapter 55
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The woman nearest to her flinched and muttered under her breath, “What a freak. The way she stares… she must be
Her voice was low, but Zina didn’t need to hear the words to understand.
crazy.
When their eyes met, the woman quickly looked away, silencing herself.
From a quiet corner of the room, Kellan Carter watched the tense scene unfold. He swirled the wine in his glass and turned to his companion with an amused glint in his eye.
“Place your bets. What’s Zina’s next move!”
“What can she do? She’s just a kid. She’ll probably burst into tears, Hayden Grayson said with a shake of his head. His gaze flicked from Zina back to Kellan, a new curiosity dawning in his eyes.
“Kellan, don’t tell me you’re actually interested in her.”
Kellan’s hand tightened on his glass for a fraction of a second. His expression went blank, his voice cold.
“Don’t be ridiculous. It was a passing comment.”
He set the glass down firmly and pulled out a handkerchief, meticulously dabbing at an imaginary drop of wine on his hand.
Hayden shrugged. “Right. You’re practically a monk. The day you fall for someone is the day hell freezes over.”
He paused, turning to Kellan. “By the way, any news about her?”
He was dying to meet the Ghost Doctor. He didn’t even need to talk to her; just a glimpse would be enough.
Kellan just shook his head, his gaze distant. “Let’s head upstairs,” he said sofily.
Just moments before. Zina had walked away with a smile, leaving Rosie with a parting shot: Tm very much looking forward to your performance, dear sister.”
He had no interest in staying for the rest of the show.
Still, he hadn’t expected the girl he remembered to become so sharp–edged. He had to admit, he was intrigued by what could have happened to change her so much.
The third room on the second floor was thick with the lingering scent of medicinal herbs.
Kellan pushed the door open to the sound of a violent coughing fit.
The young man inside looked up, his eyes watery and apologetic.
Kellan sat, his expression grim. “Miles, there’s no need for that between us.”
Miles Quinn managed a weak, pained smile. A flush spread across his pale features, the tell–tale sign of an allergic reaction.
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Chapter 55
Kellan’s brow tightened. “What is it? Is your condition worsening?”
Miles nodded, but another wracking cough seized him before he could speak.
He gritted his teeth against the searing pain in his chest, waiting for the spast to pass.
“Sorry,” he rasped once he could breathe again. “It wasn’t this bad a minute ago.”
“Miles, what in God’s name has happened to you in the years I’ve been away?”
Kellan moved his chair closer, closing the distance between them.
The two old friends faced each other, an awkward tension hanging in the air.
Miles looked down, his knuckles white as he clutched the fabric of his pants, a strained smile fixed on his face.
“Doesn’t that get exhausting? Miles, if you still consider me a friend, then be straight with me. Kellan gripped the arms of his chair, the veins standing out on his forearms.
After a long silence, Miles finally met his gaze. “Kellan, stay out of this. It’s my problem to solve…”
With a sudden, violent motion, Kellan swept the teacup from the table. It shattered against the far wall.
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