“You let me come and see her?” James sputtered. “Have you lost your mind completely? I may not be around much, but I still own this house and I have every right to see my daughter—who’s been missing for three months—whether I agree to your psychotic conditions or not!” He made a strangled sound in the back of his throat as he paced around Lily’s prone body. “I’ve been questioned by the police and the FBI since she disappeared, Samantha. We all have. If she dies on our living room floor because I didn’t make you take her to a hospital, we’re going to be charged with her death. You understand that, don’t you?”
“Stop fighting,” Lily said. Her voice was weak, and the effort to speak left her lightheaded. She heard Rowan in her head.
I’m sorry, Lily. Your mother thought it was cruel to keep your father in the dark, but he wants to take you to a hospital and I can’t let him. They have no idea how to heal you. Your mother understands, but your father is difficult.
“You’re taking her to the hospital this instant, and I’m calling Special Agent Simms tonight. I’m not going to jail because you’re insane, Samantha,” James said with finality. “And you, Juliet. How could you—”
Let me handle him, Rowan.
Lily sat up in one lurching motion and looked directly at her father. He was red-faced and the lines on his forehead were etched deep from anger. As soon as he noticed her, his words died in the back of his throat. Lily had never initiated mindspeak with him before, but she knew it was possible because, despite their many differences, he was still her father.
Dad. You’re meddling in things you don’t understand. Stop pretending you’re in charge here. Do as you’re told or get out.
His red face blanched and his jaw dropped. “Did you hear that?” he asked Juliet.
“She didn’t. That was just for you, Dad,” Lily replied in a papery voice that broke twice before she could finish.
“Lie back, Lily,” Rowan whispered urgently in her ear. “Your skin is splitting apart. You need to be still.”
Lily refused and stayed staring at her father. Her left eye went cloudy and started stinging as blood oozed into it, but she didn’t blink. Lily waited until she was sure her father’s will had faltered before she continued.
“We’re going to take care of this privately. Is that understood?” she whispered. Her father nodded slowly. He was terrified of her. “Good.”
Lily allowed Rowan to ease her back down.
That was harsh, Lily.
Did it work?
Yeah. He’s leaving.
His favorite trick.
Rowan’s breath brushed over her collarbones as he gave a bitter laugh. The feel of him near her was soothing. Lily shut her eyes and climbed back onto her raft, the pain bearing her up and over the dark water. She looked across the raft and saw Lillian sitting opposite her.
My version of James wasn’t much of a father, either.
Wasn’t? Is he dead, Lillian?
No. He lives in Richmond. I pay him well to keep him there and out of politics.
He’s not a bad person. Just—
Spineless.
Yeah. I wish he could have been something more than that.
We have high standards when it comes to men, Lily. Nothing less than Rowan will do for either of us.
You still love him.
Of course.
Then why did you hurt him so terribly, Lillian? Why did you hang Rowan’s father?
Do you really want to know? In order for it to make any sense, I have to show you more of my story, and it isn’t pretty. It’s going to hurt you, Lily.
I want to know—even if I also know you’re only showing me the bits and pieces that will justify what you have done.
I am showing you the truth as I experienced it so that you can understand why I’ve done what I have. You can’t blame me for wanting to show my life to you in a way that I think will have the greatest impact. You’re still the one who has to decide whether or not you agree with me.
All right, Lillian. Let me see the truth as you wish to show it to me.
You must promise me one thing first. That you hide everything I show you. Not to protect me—but to protect Rowan.
I’d never let anything or anyone hurt Rowan. Not even you or me. But you know that, don’t you, Lillian?
Yes.
Then show me.
Promise you won’t show Rowan what I show you.
That’s a lot to ask. I’m not sure I can hide anything from him. I’m not sure I want to.
You’ve never hidden anything from him?
Once. When I went to the pyre to fight you, he asked me if I was doing it for him.
And you didn’t tell him.