He puts his hand to his chest like he’s making an oath, and his expression is no longer frightened. I wonder if I read the signals wrong in their conversation. Kenneth clearly has it out for me, but my father might have been speaking on my behalf. Standing up for me. It reminds me of how much he’s changed since we’ve arrived here.
Dad and I both sigh, turning to look over the gathered crowd. For the first time since my mother died, I feel like we’re on the same team. We’re about to discuss our dinner plans again when I see him. My heart leaps.
“Elias,” I call a little too loudly, startling several people around us. Elias looks up from where he’s standing across the lobby with two older men, white-haired types with tuxedos and substantial mustaches. Elias himself has changed into a gray suit and bow tie, his hair combed smooth. His face clean shaven. He tilts his head to say something to the men and then starts through the crowd in our direction.
“Is that Elias Lange?” my father asks, sounding impressed. When I nod, he slips his hands into his pockets and smiles broadly. “That’s wonderful,” he adds. “I met him at the party the other night. Nice guy.” Dad looks sideways at me. “Although your brother doesn’t much like him.”
“Daniel’s predictable that way,” I mumble. At least he used to be. No, I stop the negative thoughts. My brother will regain his sanity. Once he sees how Dad’s acting, how happy the three of us can be in Phoenix, he’ll come back to his senses.
My dad shifts, anticipating Elias as he gets closer. I watch with nervous tension, realizing that I never went back to meet Elias at the café. He’s probably wondering what happened to me. God, I hope this isn’t awkward. My shoulders fall—of course it will be. I’m standing here with my dad.
Elias is taller than most of the other guests. Warm and charming, he murmurs hello as he passes them, clasping their shoulders or shaking their hands. My pulse continues to climb, and when he comes to stop in front of us, he nods politely to my father. “Mr. Casella,” he says, outstretching his arm. My dad chuckles, not used to the politeness and respect he’s been receiving here at the Ruby.
After what feels like a long pause, Elias turns to me. We stare for a moment, and then he smiles. “Audrey,” he murmurs, holding out his palm. So. Damn. Charming. I slip my hand into his, and he lifts my fingers to his lips and kisses them. “You look lovely,” he adds, and winks.
“Thank you,” I say, probably turning about a million shades of pink. Although Ryan would occasionally hug me in front of my parents, he’d never kiss my hand. It’s so . . . intimate.
Elias looks past us to see the emptying theater. “How was the movie?” he asks my father, already on his good side.
My father begins to retell his favorite parts, but I’ve stopped listening, instead checking out Elias in his suit. There’s a swell of affection at the way he seems to say just the right things, how he flashes me a smile every now and then to let me know that he hasn’t forgotten I’m there. When the conversation starts to run long, I decide I want him to myself. He’s the only thing that makes sense anymore.
“Sorry to interrupt,” I say, moving to take Elias’s arm. He slides his hand over mine and turns to me. “Can I talk to you for a second?” I ask, earning a chuckle from my father.
“Uh-oh,” my father says to Elias. “That’s a loaded question.”
I roll my eyes. “Way to minimize my feelings, Dad.”
“I’m sorry,” my father starts, but I wave it off.
“I was just kidding,” I tell him, earning a relieved smile. “I’ll see you later tonight.”
“I hope so, Audrey,” he responds with a sudden bout of sadness. “Today was a good day. I’ve missed those. I have the Ruby to thank for that.”
There’s a sudden feeling of abandonment, like I’m losing him all over again. My unease returns, and I back away from my father. “Let’s go,” I whisper to Elias, pulling him toward the hallway. Confused, Elias says good-bye, and then we’re walking swiftly out of the crowd toward the hallway. I’d just started to accept that our lives were getting back to normal, or at least on the outskirts of normal, and then my dad had to go and act all brainwashed again.
“You plan to tell me what’s going on?” Elias asks curiously. “I spent an hour longer than necessary at the café.” Last he knew, we were making plans to spend a sportive evening in his room. Unfortunately for both of us, things have changed.
A couple appears at the end of the hallway, falling into each other and laughing. The woman is wearing an elegant green dress, but judging from her and her companion’s wobbly steps, they’ve spent the better part of the evening at the bar. Neither of them notices us, and Elias puts his hand on the small of my back.
“In here,” he says, moving us to the other end of the hallway near a large wooden door. I didn’t notice this entrance before, and as we walk inside, I watch the people go by. They don’t even glance in our direction. Elias calls to me and goes to sit in one of the oversize leather chairs in the corner.
“Whoa,” I say, looking around. There are tall bookcases and an enormous gray-stone fireplace. Above the mantel is a green and brown painting of a field, muted and masculine. There are several pool tables on one side of the room, near the oversize leaded windows, and dark brown leather furniture. Now that we’re away from the lobby, I’m calmer. Or maybe it’s Elias.
“This used to be the gentlemen’s room,” he says, crossing his foot over his knee. “Now it’s the billiard room, but most people forget it’s here.”
“Boys’ club, huh?” I ask. I wander over to a shelf and run my gaze over the spines of the books. They’re old, some antique, but I recognize the titles from English class.
“Audrey,” Elias says softly. “Although I love being dragged away, I can tell something’s bothering you. Care to elaborate?” Elias’s face has grown serious. Almost expectant.
“Will you think I’m overreacting?” I ask.
“Probably not.”
He lives here. Would it surprise him if I told him that I think the Ruby has brainwashed my family? If I told him that I think Kenneth means to hurt me? As I decide where to begin, Elias grows more worried. He comes over and stands facing me, his arms crossed over his chest.
“It’s the hotel,” I start. “It’s affecting my father and brother, changed their personalities.”
Elias tilts his head curiously. “How so?”
“Daniel isn’t going to our grandmother’s anymore,” I say, sick at the words. “He abandoned me, and he was cruel. He said not to trust anyone, and that no matter what, I have to leave tomorrow. Like, what?” I ask, confused. “No offense, but my brother can’t live here. I went downstairs and told my dad that I wanted the three of us to get out now, but he blew it off. He said we were better here—and in a way he might be right. But . . . I don’t want to stay at the Ruby anymore. I’m scared of this place. I’m scared of what’s happening.” I roll my eyes, aware of how insane I sound. “I think my family’s possessed,” I add, wanting Elias to laugh. But he doesn’t. He lowers his eyes.
“They looked happy, Audrey,” he says quietly. “When I saw them last night at the party”—he lifts his gaze to mine—“they were both happy. Isn’t that a good thing?”
“Uh, sure. Except for the fact that they aren’t actually happy. They’re grieving—we’re all grieving. And although I’m all for denial, this is different. I think it has to do with Kenneth.”
Now, this seems to surprise Elias. “What does Kenneth have to do with this?” he asks. “Did he say something to you?”
“More like threaten.”
Color blazes on Elias’s cheeks and he steps closer, taking my arms. “Tell me everything,” he says. “When did this happen?”
For a moment I’m reminded of Ryan and how he tried to fix things for me. In the end I nearly got him killed. I don’t want to drag Elias into the same trouble I continually find myself in. I slide my hands along his chest and drape them over his shoulders. “Never mind,” I say,
wishing for his easy smile to return. “Forget I said anything.”
It doesn’t work. “Audrey,” he says, staring down at me. I get on my tiptoes, tempting him to kiss me instead of scold me. He does, but only briefly. “Tell me what happened,” he murmurs, kissing me again like he can’t help it.
I sigh, tilting my head as Elias’s kisses trail over my jaw, my neck. My tension starting to ease now that I’m preoccupied. “He cornered me in the ballroom,” I say, closing my eyes. “Kenneth told me to stay away from the staff, that they’d be punished for consorting with me. Like he’s the—”
Elias pulls back so quickly, so violently, that I stumble and have to catch myself on the mantel of the fireplace. “What?” he demands. “Did he tell you that—that they’d be punished?” Elias’s eyes have gone wild, his body poised to leave.
“Yes, he said he was enforcing the rules of the Ruby and that I should spend the rest of my time in my room.”
Elias curses and bolts for the door. Alarmed, I chase after him, and we’re running, full-on running, down the long hallway. “What are you doing?” I shout, too caught off guard to process the fear bubbling up.
“I need to get to the basement.” His voice is rough, and I can barely keep pace with him. The hallway is darker than it was when we came in, the pictures blur as we run past. It hits me—Lourdes is in the basement. Elias fires me a look. “Go back,” he orders, although he’s obviously not going to stop to force me.
“No,” I gasp out, worried for my friend. If Elias is scared, there must be something wrong. “The elevator’s the other way,” I tell him.
“The Ruby will slow us down,” he says, taking a hard left and throwing himself against a metal door. We’re in a back stairwell. White walls, gray concrete steps. Elias takes the stairs two at a time, and I can’t keep up any longer.
“What do you mean?” I call out, tramping behind him as quickly as I can. “What does that mean, ‘The Ruby will slow us down’?”
Elias rounds the next level and shoots me a terrified glance as he continues to race toward the basement. I understand the expression, what it conveys, and my entire body tenses. Kenneth is going to kill her. That’s why Elias is freaking out. Kenneth is going to kill Lourdes. I renew my speed, and I’m nearly caught up when Elias grabs a fire extinguisher from the wall and then rams his shoulder into the door, exploding onto the basement level.
“Stay behind me,” he says, slowing down and testing the weight of the extinguisher, as if he plans to use it as a weapon. The walls are red, and there are sounds echoing down the hall. Grunting. Crying. At about three doors from Lourdes’s, Elias stops to look back at me. “You’re not part of this,” he says calmly. “Your brother’s right, Audrey. You leave tomorrow no matter what. Even if you have to let us all burn.”
The words are similar to what Lourdes said at the fountain last night. How no one tried to help the victims of the ballroom fire, no one tried to save them. The sentiment is devastating, especially in a moment of complete panic like this. Elias doesn’t appear willing to move until I agree, so I nod weakly, not sure what I’ve just promised him.
There’s a loud crash from Lourdes’s room, and Elias jumps forward. He stops at Lourdes’s door, and then, without a word, he hikes the extinguisher above his head and slams it down, cracking off the handle and sending it flying across the hall.
I press myself to the wall, the scene in front of me too crazy to be real. Elias kicks in the door. I cover my mouth when I catch sight of what’s going on inside. Lourdes is in uniform, sprawled out on the bed, her skin purple and her eyes bulging. Kenneth is straddling her body, his thick hands around her neck. Even from here I’m sure she’s dead, and yet the concierge doesn’t let go. He doesn’t even look at Elias as he stomps in.
Without a word of warning, Elias swings the fire extinguisher, slamming it against Kenneth’s head with a sickening thud. The concierge’s body goes rigid and tilts to the side, he’s completely unconscious when he hits the carpet. Elias drops the extinguisher on the floor and runs a shaky hand through his hair.
I’m stunned in place. I don’t know if Kenneth is dead, if Lourdes is dead. Elias stands in the middle of complete mayhem, his shoulders stooped in exhaustion. “Move,” I whisper to myself, knowing I have to check on Lourdes. Call the cops and get help. “Move,” I say again, pushing off the wall and into the carnage. I go immediately to Lourdes, surprised when she turns to her side, coughing. Her skin is blotchy and the blood vessels in her eyes are broken, blood seeping over the white.
“I’m going to get help,” I tell her, fighting down my panic. I can do this. I’ll be better than I was with Mom. I’ll save Lourdes.
There’s a groan from the floor, and Lourdes and I see Kenneth writhing. Blood pours from the gash in his head, but he doesn’t seem to be dying. Even though he’s a tyrant, I’m grateful. I wouldn’t want Elias to face a murder trial, to possibly go to jail for saving his friend.
Elias backs up, leaning against the interior wall of Lourdes’s room. He drops his arms to his sides, like he’s giving up. The hero who broke in minutes ago is now defeated. He glances at Lourdes and shrugs helplessly. “I’m so sorry,” he says, fighting back a cry. “I tried to save you this time.”
This time, I repeat in my head, knowing now why the staff fears the concierge. This has happened before.
“I know,” Lourdes says to Elias, gasping in a breath. I help her as she struggles to sit up. From the floor Kenneth gurgles, and a thick choking sound fills the room. I turn to Elias.
“We need an ambulance,” I say. “Can you call from here?”
Elias doesn’t acknowledge my voice, only stares down at Kenneth. The concierge is rolling from side to side, desperately in need of medical attention. In my arms, Lourdes trembles uncontrollably. Her color is returning to normal, but she’s mumbling under her breath. It takes a few times for me to catch what she’s saying.
“He never dies,” she whispers in a broken voice over and over. And then, in reaction, Kenneth’s head snaps to us, his eyes staring directly at Lourdes. His face is covered in blood, his head deformed from the impact of the extinguisher. Half dead, he smiles. I scream.
Lourdes jumps from the bed. Bent over and clearly in pain, she stands above Kenneth and shouts at him, “Die! Just die already!” The world has erupted into chaos, and I look at Elias, wanting him to stop it. But he only watches in despair, in complete hopelessness.
Before I can process what’s happening, Lourdes grabs a steak knife from a dirty room-service tray. My eyes widen, and I scream for her to stop, but it happens too quickly. She falls to her knees next to the concierge and buries the knife to its hilt in his chest. He moans, and Lourdes rips the blade out, splashing me in warm blood splatter, and then drives it into his chest again.
The screech that escapes my throat doesn’t sound human. In that moment it’s like I leave my body. The horror, the heat of the blood on my face, has broken me. I run from the room. “Just die!” Lourdes continues to shout. I’m blinded, wiping frantically at the salty tears and blood near my eyes. I head toward the stairwell, reminded of Elias’s words that the Ruby will slow me down.
They just murdered someone. Oh my God. They just murdered someone. I shout for help, running up the stairs as fast as possible. Nothing will ever be the same again. Am I an accessory? Is this my fault because I talked to the staff?
I burst out of the stairwell and into the brightly lit hallway. I’m running for the lobby, glancing down to see my clothes are awash in blood. “Help!” I scream. I take the turn into the lobby and slip from the blood on my sandals. My knee hits the marble floor, sending a vibration up my leg. I call for help and scramble to my feet again, moving toward the desk.
But no one responds. A few people stop to stare at me, watching with curiosity rather than concern, and others ignore me altogether.
“What the fuck is wrong with all of you?” I shout, spinning to look at them. “We need help! Get an ambulance!”
<
br /> “Miss Casella,” a voice calls from behind me at the front desk. In that moment life stops. The faces of the people around me blur together and what’s left of my sanity shatters completely. It can’t be. It can’t. . . .
Slowly I turn to face the front desk. Standing there in a burgundy uniform, his hands folded on his chest, is Kenneth—smiling pleasantly. I gulp in a breath of air, sure I’m going to faint. Just as things start to go fuzzy, Kenneth holds up a black envelope.
“Good news,” the concierge says pleasantly. “You’ve received an invitation to the party.”
Chapter 14
My mother died three months and eleven days ago. Some nights after she was gone, I’d search my memories for the bad times, thinking that if I could realize something horrible about her, it’d make accepting her death easier. Prove she deserved it somehow. It was sick—I knew that, but I also knew that most days it hurt too much to live. I couldn’t let go. I didn’t know how to move on. But like Daniel showed me, those negative thoughts only made her more real. More mine. And so I tried to stop thinking of her altogether.
It wasn’t fair that it had been such a normal day. Her death should have been an international disaster—the world sharing in my misery. Instead it was a Wednesday. I had just arrived at school, and Ryan was next to me as we entered the front doors into the main hallway. Normally, the jocks would call out to him, fist-bump him on his way past. But not this time. The first moment I noticed something wasn’t right was when we passed by the office. Through the glass partition I could see the teachers crowded around the main desk. No one was crying, that would have given too much away. It was Mr. Powell, my science teacher, who betrayed the controlled group. His stern face had gone slack, his jaw hanging open like it had come unhinged. He was mouth-breathing, hunched slightly forward as he stared toward my mother’s open office door.
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