I could only cry and cry. “I’m sorry,” Nicholas said. “We’re not giving up,” Julian said, louder. “Maybe it’s in someone else’s garments. Which room is next door?” “Jessica’s,” Charlotte said. “With me, then, Charlotte,” Julian said, and the two rushed out of the closet. Nicholas stayed wi
I handed the photo to Veronica and she held it out over Elva’s body. She began to chant, but they weren’t words I recognized. Sparks flickered in her hands. Purple-blue flames fanned out across the photo, and then twisted down toward Elva. “Elva!” I gasped and started forward. Nicholas gripped m
It didn’t make any sense. Unless Jane was trying to cut out that part of herself that loved Elva. Maybe she saw Elva as a weakness that needed to be purged. Gods, either way, it was just too sad. Not just for Jane, who had truly become a monster, but also for Elva, who nearly became a victim of he
A few days later, all of the candidates were called into the foyer for another of Nathan’s meetings. By now, Elva was fully recovered, although very angry that I would not let her leave the room. “There’s a bad guy on the loose,” I said. “It’s too dangerous for you until that person is caught.”
I relaxed as best I could, letting the kiss happen for the cameras. Julian’s lips were soft on my own, gentle and non-demanding. It was a kind sort of kiss, and for that I was grateful. Though I would still have to remember to tell Nicholas not to watch the broadcast tonight. He’d made clear that
I knew it couldn’t be as simple as all that, but I really did want to go out there. The gardens had been one of our regular hangout spots for so long. To lose it now, felt most unfair. My voice soft, afraid someone would overhear, I said, “I’d love to.” “Great,” Julian said, and pushed open the
Later, in the safety of my room, I asked Mark to summon Nicholas. Yet, just as he arrived, Veronica arrived too. I wasn’t unhappy to see her, exactly, but there were things I had hoped to speak with Nicholas about that I hadn’t wanted others to overhear. When I heard Veronica’s reasons for visitin
“I’m here.” Nicholas walked to her, hugged her, and then joined in her game. I followed, eager for any moment of normalcy, no matter how fleeting. Later, I followed Nicholas to the guest room he was using. We hadn’t finished our conversation. As we crossed the threshold and closed the door behin