Eternal (26 page)

“Yes, something sweet. That, and a mocha. Actually, make it a peppermint mocha.” The peppermint would help soothe my pretest nerves.

Cece’s face lit with a smile. “You got it, girlfriend.”

I sighed heavily as the door shut behind her. Just one more final—I could do this. After all, I was a tough, vampire-slaying, tattooed, going-off-to-live-in-Paris kind of girl. What was a measly English final in the face of all that?

With a groan, I got back to work.

*  *  *

Friday night came all too fast. The past few days had been a blur—checking grades, packing trunks, waiting for the end to come.

And now it had. I shifted uncomfortably on the hard pew, waiting for my name to be called.

Sophie’s valedictory speech had been brief but inspiring, the perfect combination of serious but funny. How was I going to make it through each day of class at AUP without her there beside me?

As student body president, Cece had made a speech too. All those New Orleans cousins and aunts and uncles had hooted and hollered when she was finished, making her blush, and all I could think was how awesome she was—the perfect roommate. Fate had been so kind to me.

And Aidan, well . . . when I’d seen him walk across the little stage erected at the front of the chapel and take his diploma from a smiling Mrs. Girard, it had seemed so real. Like somehow all the schooling he’d received before now was meaningless—that
this
graduation was the one that really counted, that marked the true beginning of the rest of his life.

The rest of them who’d been called up before me alphabetically—Max, Tyler, Cece, even Jack—seemed so distant now, somehow just out of reach. I felt numb, disengaged—

“Miss Violet McKenna.”

It took me a second to recognize my own name. Beside me, Shannon McKenzie nudged me in the ribs. I rose, making my way to the end of the pew vaguely aware of the sound of cheering and whistling behind me, where the parents and family were seated. I glanced back, surprised to see Patsy and Paul on their feet, smiling in my direction.

What the heck?

“Congratulations,
chérie
,” Mrs. Girard said, handing me my diploma with a smile. How easily she slipped into the role of cheerful headmistress, I realized, taking the leather case and tucking it beneath my arm as I made my way back to my seat.

The procession continued on—Joshua, then Marissa a few minutes later. I clapped for them all, trying not to notice the empty spot between the
R 
’s and the
T 
’s where Kate Spencer should have been. Finally, they called out Amy Zuckerman’s name, and then the microphone fell silent.

The chapel’s pipe organ began to play the alma mater, and at
last we tossed our caps into the air with a flourish. And then it was over. High school was done, a chapter in my life complete.

Aidan found me even before I’d made my way out into the crowded aisle. “I didn’t think Patsy was coming,” he said, taking my hand.

“I didn’t either.” I shook my head, feeling a little dazed as I followed him out of the chapel and onto the lawn, where a brightly lit reception tent had been set up. The trees surrounding the lawn were strung with twinkle lights, and paper lanterns lit the path. The sky was clear, the air surprisingly balmy for early June in the Hudson Valley—a perfect night to celebrate under the stars.

“There she is!” came Patsy’s voice, just behind me. I turned to find her there, smiling broadly. “Look at you,” she said, wrapping me in a hug. “You look so grown up. Your father would be so proud of you right now.”

“I can’t believe you’re here,” I said. “You said you weren’t coming.”

“I wasn’t sure we could make it, and I didn’t want you to be disappointed. And then when I found out we
could
come . . . well, I wanted to surprise you.” She held up her left hand, wiggling her fingers dramatically.

Immediately I noticed the gold band on her ring finger. “What? When?”

“This past weekend. Nothing big, just at City Hall. We’ll have a reception once we get to Sydney.”

“Wow,” was all I could manage.

“Congratulations,” Aidan said, mercifully stepping in and offering his hand. Patsy took it and then pulled him into an awkward hug. “It’s so good to see you. It’s been so long, hasn’t it? Oh, Paul, this is Aidan Gray. Aidan, this is my husband, Paul Layton. My second husband. Current.” She was babbling incoherently now, obviously caught in the web of the Aidan Effect.

“Why don’t we go get something to eat?” I asked, trying to distract her. “I think they’re serving dessert.”

“Sounds good,” Paul said. “Lead on.”

Minutes later, we got our plates of cookies and assorted pastries and found a table, while Paul went off to fetch drinks.

Before I sat, I unzipped my lavender graduation gown and stepped out of it, revealing the simple white sundress I wore beneath. Aidan had already removed his own gown—silver for boys—and wore rumpled khakis and a plain white button-down shirt with a deep violet-colored tie.

“Don’t know how to work an iron, I see,” I quipped, reaching over to straighten his tie.

“Who has an iron at boarding school?” he asked with a chuckle, leaning down to kiss the tip of my nose.

I wasn’t going to admit that
I
did—it was just one of my many neuroses. Cece always teased me about it, especially the time she caught me ironing a stack of underwear.

“You’re not having anything, Aidan?” Patsy asked as soon as we sat, noticing the blank spot where his plate should be.

“No, I’m not hungry. Big dinner,” he lied, patting his stomach.

I reached across the table for a napkin, and Patsy laid a hand on my wrist, trapping my hand against the table. “Wait, what’s this new ring you’re wearing?” She glanced from me to Aidan and back to me again. “Is there something the two of you need to tell me?”

I shook my head. “No, it’s just a gift. You know, like a . . . umm . . .”

Help me out here,
I pleaded telepathically.

“I think they call it a promise ring,” Aidan supplied.

Thank you.

“It’s pretty,” Patsy said, lifting my hand to examine it more closely. “It looks like an antique—a really precious piece, actually.”

I gave Aidan a desperate look.

He cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Yeah, I found it at one of those antique stores. You know, the junky kind. I thought it suited her.”

“Well, you have a good eye. I bet some poor soul had to pawn
it for cash and the store didn’t quite realize what they had. I think that happens a lot these days.”

“Yeah, probably,” I murmured. “Oh, look, here comes Paul with the drinks.” Thank God.

Just as he slid back into his seat, Mrs. Girard appeared at our table. “Mr. Gray, if you don’t mind, I need a quick word with you.”

Just like that, his eyes seemed to shift from blue to a stormy gray, his mouth set in a hard line. “Of course. If you’ll excuse me for a moment.”

I watched him go, my mouth suddenly dry. I reached for the iced tea Paul had set in front of me, nearly draining the glass in a single gulp.

“Wasn’t that the headmistress?” Patsy asked.

I just nodded, a knot of fear forming in the pit of my stomach.

“You don’t think he’s in trouble or anything, do you?”

“I’m sure it’s nothing,” I said, forcing myself to smile brightly. “Go on, eat. You don’t have to wait.”

As Patsy bit into a pastry, I watched Aidan follow Mrs. Girard to the edge of the lawn, right to the spot where I’d slain Julius, I realized with a shudder. Luc joined them, his dark hair gleaming under the bright moonlight.

I couldn’t make out what they were saying—they were much
too far away for that. They gave away nothing with their body language either. All three stood stock still while they talked, their bodies rigid. My anxiety soared with each passing minute, and I found myself looking around for Matthew.

He was nowhere to be seen.

Luckily, Patsy and Paul had lapsed back into conversation while they ate, oblivious to my growing discomfort. I decided to give it another minute or two, and then I was going to have to go find Matthew. I wasn’t quite sure why, but something about this felt off, and I didn’t even have my stake with me.

“So, are y’all staying in Tarrytown tonight?” I asked Patsy, mostly to distract myself.

She shook her head. “No. I wish we could, but we’ve just got so much to do to get ready for the move, right, Paul?”

He just nodded.

“Actually”—she glanced down at her watch, the one my father had given her so many years ago—“as soon as we’re done eating, we should probably head back. I hope you don’t mind.”

A wave of relief washed over me. “No. It’s fine. I’ve still got a lot of packing and people to say good-bye to.”

“Do you want me to send a car for you on Sunday?”

“No. I’m pretty sure Aidan’s already ordered a car,” I said, drumming my fingers on the table. Truthfully, I had no idea if he had or
not. But now I would make sure that he did. Or maybe Matthew could give us a ride. It didn’t matter—we’d figure it out later.

“Hey,” came Aidan’s voice behind me, nearly making me jump out of my skin. He moved to stand behind me, both hands resting on my shoulders as he leaned down toward my ear. “Can I talk to you for a second? It’s nothing,” he directed at Patsy and Paul. “I’ll bring her right back. I promise.”

They nodded in unison, looking a little woozy. Clearly, Aidan had used one of his mind manipulation tricks on them.

Without another word, I rose and followed him back inside the empty chapel.

“What’s going on?” I asked as soon as we stepped out of the vestibule. I didn’t like the look on his face—his eyes had taken on that empty look, his jaw clenched tightly.

“We’ve got to go,” he said without preamble.

My heart began to race, my palms dampening. “What do you mean, go? Go where?”

“Paris. Pretty much right away. They’re gathering for a fight, and they need their
Dauphin
.”

“Who’s gathering for a fight?” I asked, confused.

“The Propagators. They’re all headed to the Tribunal headquarters, prepared to seize power. To put one of their own in the Eldest’s seat.”

I clenched my hands into fists of frustration. “I don’t understand. Why now?”

“I don’t know. I thought we’d have more time.”

I took a deep, calming breath. “Okay, so we go. We get this over with, whatever it is. Bu-but what about England?” I stammered, my resolve weakening. “We’re supposed to go the week after next.”

A muscle in Aidan’s jaw was working furiously. “You’ll get your trip to England. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Well, what am I supposed to tell Patsy?” I asked, floundering now. “And Matthew. I’ve got to tell Matthew. He’s got to come too. I need him.”

“We’ve got an hour, tops. Nicole has the plane waiting at a private airport nearby. Leave your trunks and just gather whatever you need for a few days, okay, Vi? I’ll find Dr. Byrne and tell him what’s going on. It’s his choice if he wants to come with us or not.”

“Okay,” I said numbly. “I’ll go tell Patsy I’m not feeling well. Or—or that you’re not feeling well, and I’m taking you to the infirmary. And then I’ll just be in my room, changing and getting my stuff ready.”

He nodded, reaching for my shoulders, his fingers digging sharply into my bare skin. “I’ll meet you in your room as soon as I
can. I never should have gotten you into this, Violet. I am so very sorry.”

The stark desolation in his gaze was sobering. He thought this was it for us—the end of the road. But it wasn’t; it wouldn’t be. Not if I had anything to do with it. “You can’t protect me from this, Aidan. It’s what I’m meant to do. What you’re meant to do. It’ll work out; it’s all going to work out,” I said calmly, assuredly.

Only, I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince more . . . him or me.

I
had never been on a private jet before. I had to admit, a girl could get used to it. Plush leather seats, a flat-screen TV, cashmere blankets—it was definitely posh, even if I was too terrified to actually enjoy any of it.

Because this wasn’t any old private jet—this was the Vampire Tribunal’s jet, and we were on official business. Technically, there
was
no Tribunal at present; it had been disbanded while the fight for the Eldest raged on. Still, Mrs. Girard retained control of their assets—including the plane—and she was ready to make her move.

My friends had
not
been happy when I’d told them I was leaving and why. There’d been very little time for good-byes, but
I’d assured them that I would be back in time for the trip to England. I only hoped it was the truth.

I glanced up at Matthew, who was sitting directly across from me and Aidan, facing us. He looked remarkably calm, all things considered. He had a book open in his lap, but I couldn’t tell if he was actually reading it, or just pretending to. When we’d boarded, he’d offered to sit somewhere else, to give Aidan and me some privacy. But I wanted him close by, where I could see him.

Even though my bracelet’s moonstones glowed benignly instead of the more ominous bloodstones, I still didn’t trust Mrs. Girard and Luc, not completely, and not with my
Megvéd
.

Aidan and I had to tell Mrs. Girard about my connection with Matthew when we’d insisted that he join us. She’d seemed genuinely surprised and not at all pleased that we’d kept it from her. I counted that as a personal victory. My secrets were mine to keep until I was ready to share them. Besides, Mrs. Girard didn’t own me—she didn’t own any of us. She wasn’t even Matthew’s boss anymore; he’d turned in his resignation weeks ago, effective today, the last day of the term.

So he could follow me to the ends of the earth, I supposed. Poor Charlie.

“We still have several more hours until we land,” Aidan said,
interrupting my thoughts. “You should try to get some sleep. Dr. Byrne too.”

I glanced over at the window, forgetting that the plane came equipped with permanent blackout shades. There was nothing to see, no indication of the hour outside the window, no view of the night sky or the ocean below.