Daphne tried to reach out for Atticus, only to realize that he had her pinned to the bed with his magic. This was the very same tactic he used on Alistair and Leonora during their first eventful family dinner; Daphne had felt nothing but vindictive amusement when it happened to her siblings― now that Atticus used the very same trick on her, it was a lot harder to respond with gaiety and nonchalance.
"Atticus! What are you doing? Let me go this very instant!" Daphne demanded, attempting to break free of his magical hold. Of course, her efforts were depressingly futile.
"I can't do that, Daphne," Atticus said apologetically. "I need you to remain here, quiet and still, so that you will keep whatever I just told you a secret. If you informed the rest of your family and they launched an attempt to kill me, I would have to kill them all and leave you an orphan. This is for your own good."