Page 56 of The Devil of Hollywood

“She’ll be fine. We can work with her. We can make her better.”

“I want her out of here now. Those guards said Bram and the Unavowed were on their way. That was an hour ago. There’s no way the meeting is lasting this long.”

“I don’t like this. I’m telling you; something feels wrong.”

“Because it is.” I opened my eyes, interrupting their conversation.

The men grew quiet, and I looked over, glaring towards them. Both looked surprised. Especially Elec.

“I told you to sleep.” Elec’s angry tone had me shaking my head. He was questioning his skills. He should. And me, I should have been afraid. He had power. Especially in our circle and this darker part of our life. He killed my mother. He was my mother… At least, in a way. He was just as dangerous. No, he was more. My mother could never put me under like that. Not without some sort of help from drugs.

“I told you you couldn’t help me.” I took in his stoic expression. “It doesn’t work with me. I always come back. I always remember.”

“You want to forget. I can help you when we get to The Gardens.”

“Elec, you can’t. You’re good,” I admitted. “Better than her. But even this is beyond you.”

“It’s not.”

“It is. But it doesn’t have to be with others. Would you like to know what would make you great?”

Blue eyes narrowed, but Elec lowered back to sit on the edge of the bed to face me.

“I’m open to suggestions.”

“You had me at first because you pretended to care. Trust is the trick. I know you know that. It’s what forms the bond. Thing is, I trust no one. I never will after her. After this, I can’t. But take me out of the picture. My mother used to say that ego was her biggest enemy. You’re so good that you don’t even see it. You choose pride over progress. Even listening to me try to help you, you’re defensive. You can’t even help it. You’re the leader, the doctor, but you don’t lead, you dominate, trying to force your will into my mind. Ego.” My voice softened. “What’s supposed to be happening between us is intimate. Delicate, just like your craft. You’ve lost sight of that.”

Elec’s lips parted and intrigue took over as I saw thoughts begin to consume him.

“You see, I’m not saying this because I’m mean or I’m some kind of enemy. I’d love nothing more than to be your victim. I’d love to forget. It’s truly impossible. My mind is broken. It’s been for as long as I can remember, and it’s only worse now.”

“There are ways. Scientific ways. I’ve perfected them. I can make you forget.”

I laughed, easing to sit and wincing through the pain.

“More medicine? More brainwashing? The foundation of your ego. I see it now. Where talent fails, science prevails, right?”

His face hardened.

“You have so much to learn, Elec. It seems you and my mother both lost your way. You’re disconnected.”

“Disconnected from people?”

“Humanity… Yourself.” I let out a deep breath, feeling fatigue roll back in. I felt too tired to have this conversation. I wanted to sleep. To fall back into the void where I felt safest. “My grandfather wrote a book. My mom used to read it once a year. That ended when I was in high school, but she once said how important it was to not lose touch with the roots of who she was. She meant her gifts in hypnosis, and I knew that. Greatness with what you do doesn’t come with force. It comes with vulnerability—the opposite of ego. Sure, you can continue, and you’ll be feared and amazing. If you want to be better, do better. You should really read his book. I did, once.”

Elec blinked through my words. Before he could speak, the door opened.

Bram barged in, his face softening once he saw me, sitting.

“Sorry, the meeting didn’t go as planned. The Council is reevaluating.”

“Reevaluating what?” Drayton’s explosion sent true fear hammering within me. If they didn’t let me leave… If I had to stay…

I gagged, slamming my hand on my mouth. I couldn’t go back to the cell. I couldn’t stay here. My stomach flipped, but I forced myself from the bed, rushing for the dresser not feet away. Frantically, my hands moved over what looked like a woman’s brush, a comb, and a small handheld mirror.

“Marian?”

I ignored Drayton, grabbing the handle of the mirror and drawing my hand back. Glass shattered as I wielded my hand forward, right to the corner of the dresser.