“I’m sorry.”
“Hey now.” Luca wrapped me in a hug, but I tightened my arms around my waist. “Don’t be like that. You wouldn’t have hurt me. Okay?” He pushed back, but kept his hands on my shoulders. “Okay?”
“Yeah, Okay.”
Luca stared a few more seconds before releasing his grasp. “To be honest, I agree that Byron isn’t the best to help you. Although I think you could have gone about it another way, it will be a good thing when he tells Marianne. You may end up getting your ass chewed by the leader of the Moreau family for punching one of her people, but maybe that’s what it’ll take to convince her to get you a better teacher.”
“I can handle getting yelled at if it means I can get some proper training in.” It would never happen, but inside I wished for Mrs. LaMotte. She knew how to push the limits of my Talent, and she was crazy enough to let me do it. I missed her so much my chest hurt when I thought of her. Like she filled a physical hole in my life.
“Everything will turn out okay.”
My lips curled in a half-grin. Rebecca’s never-ending optimism had rubbed off on Luca. Even though I desperately wanted to believe what he said, it was a hard concept to grasp. How could he know things would turn out okay? How could anybody? Faith didn’t come naturally to me—I had to work hard for it. Then, with everything that had gone wrong, I didn’t have the energy to try. I wasn’t like Kian with his never-ending faith in some higher power.
It had been almost an hour since I had last thought of my boyfriend, and with it came a deep melancholy. I nodded to Luca and turned to walk into my room.
“Wait.” Luca’s hand gripped the door frame just as I was about to close it. I gave him a blank stare that I hoped would convince him to hurry up. “Have you spoken to Kian?”
Hearing Kian’s name on Luca’s lips took me aback. My eyes widened in shock before narrowing in suspicion.
“I know you didn’t sniff my pheromones, Luca. Have you become a mind reader as well?”
“No. Since our talk the other day, every time you talk or think about him, your expression changes.”
“Well, I hoped talking out my feelings about him with you would somehow give me some clarity, but all it did was twist everything around in my head. Now I don’t know what to think.”
“I’m sorry.” Luca’s voice bled genuine.
“Look I know you didn’t mean it, but to answer your question, yes, I sent him a message after the broadcast about his mom. I told him I was sorry for his loss and didn’t even bring up how his family is siding with the Koenigs or how that will effect society, even though I wanted to.”
“That’s probably a good thing.”
“Yeah well, it’s not like he had the best relationship with his family, but a mom is a mom no matter how messed up she was. Then his dad sided with the Koenigs. So I wanted to be respectful.”
“Did he respond?”
“Yes, he said thank you and to not worry about him. He accepted a long time ago that his parents’ choices had forced him to put up a wall between them and that he was happy I didn’t end up like her.”
“Anything else?”
I shook my head, refusing to voice the lie to Luca. He would notice deceit’s distinctive odor even without knowingly activating his Talent. Luca’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, and for a moment I wondered if he knew Kian had said more. Did the group discuss my personal life behind my back? Probably. If someone else in the group had mental issues and a serious beef with their significant other, I would be all up in that conversation.
“Well, gotta rest before dinner. Later!” Before he could open his mouth, I slammed the door, missing his hand by a hair's breadth. I threw myself onto the bed, wrinkling the smooth comforter and pulling the corners from their tightly tucked positions. For a second I almost panicked at the idea of a rumpled bed before taking deep breaths to clear my mind. The irrational fear melted away.
My communicator dinged from my nightstand. With great effort, I rolled over and snatched it before the vibrations shook it off the table. The screen was open to the last messages I had received from Kian. My lungs sucked in a deep breath as I read the screen again.
Kian: I’ve missed you.
Kian: Please talk to me. I don’t know what I did.
Kian: I’ll be leaving soon and the mission requires radio silence. I just want to hear your voice.
Kian: I love you!
Notifications popped up at the top of the screen, but I ignored them. My fingers hovered over the keys. I wanted to know if he was back from his mission and that everyone who went with him was okay.
Another message pulled my attention away from the keys. I scrolled through a few messages from the girls about their day, responding and filling them in on my day, detailing my altercation with Byron. As usual, Rebecca gave me the rational speech, almost word for word what Luca had said. Madison, on the other hand, cheered that I hadn’t let the prick waste another minute of my time.
It sounded like both girls were doing better. Rebecca had finally gotten used to her prosthetic leg and had been kicking ass in the sparring room. Madison was released from mandatory therapy and still visited with the children every weekend. With each update, my pride surged. Both of my friends were amazing and incredibly strong against adversity.
Their fortitude poured into my heart and my resolve strengthened. Without my friends, I couldn’t grow stronger. Not one of us could do it on our own. There was always someone to lean on. Someone to fight by your side. Someone to listen. Someone to understand. Someone to offer forgiveness, even when you didn’t deserve it.
Kian.
As the conversation gradually came to a close, I went back to Kian’s message. He didn’t deserve my anger without having had his say. I wouldn’t do this to any of my other friends. I would have respected them enough to talk it out, and if I loved Kian even a fraction of how much I loved my friends, then he deserved the same respect.
Sadie: I’m sorry for not responding. You didn’t deserve my silence, but I’ve been angry at you and I didn’t know how to deal with it. We do need to talk soon. Call me. I love you too!
My door slammed open, startling me. The communicator slipped between my fingers as Francis rushed in, her perfect features pinched in dissatisfaction.
“Your aunt has requested a meeting with you. Now.”
I stood and walked over to the mirror to make sure I was presentable. “Isn’t she usually in meetings until dinner?”
“Yes, but this has taken precedence over everything.”
“Wow, I didn’t know punching Byron would pull her from her duties,” I mumbled under my breath.
“You did WHAT?” She whipped around, her eyes widen with indignation. Is her Talent super hearing?
“Nothing.”
Francis shook her head as she pinched the bridge of her nose. “We will discuss that later, but now we have to go.”
“Was there another attack?”
“No. Cecile Lamour—Mrs. LaMotte—has been released from custody and is in the parlor demanding an audience with you.”
Chapter 9
Without another word from Francis, I took off. She yelled after me, “Ladies don’t run about inside the house!”
I ignored her and pumped my arms faster. Mrs. LaMotte was downstairs and I desperately wanted to see her. Until we were separated, I hadn’t realized how important she was to me. She had been my mother’s best friend and my guardian. Although I didn’t know about that until a few weeks before, I appreciated how much she had sacrificed for me. She had given up her life, her family to keep me hidden and safe. When my Talent was revealed to be dangerous, she trained me—risking her life, again, in the process.
The parlor doors came into view and I pressed into the balls of my feet to slow my forward motion, releasing a screech of rubber on polished marble that echoed through the open house. My center of balance shifted forward, and knew I wouldn’t be stopping in time. The only thing I could do was prevent my
face from smashing against the thick mahogany. My raised arms met the door with a loud smack.
My wrists stung and my palms tingled with tiny needle pricks. I took a moment to shake off the throbbing in my joints and walked inside.
“Sadie. I would have never guessed it was you outside,” the sarcasm dripped off Marianne’s voice. “Please shut the door behind you.”
Mrs. LaMotte jumped from a plush leather chair across from the matching loveseat Marianne occupied. I scanned my former teacher; she looked a bit paler than the last time I’d seen her, but otherwise she was healthy. I guess Caelian prisons aren’t so bad. Unlike the last time I had seen her, she wore the underground’s uniform: white shirt, black pants, and boots. Instead of a tight bun, she wore her plum hair flowing down her back in loose curls.
I’d never been so happy to see someone in my entire life.
Without speaking, we ran toward each other. Mrs. LaMotte scooped me into a hug that threatened to squeeze the air out of my lungs, but I didn’t care. I welcomed the burning pain of no air to hold on to my mentor and the only mother figure I had ever known.
“Look at you!” She pulled back from the hug and framed my face between her dainty hands. “The last time I saw you, you were so thin and broken. That was all I saw when I thought of you, but now, you look stronger.”
“I feel stronger, thanks to Luca and Dr. Sokoloff.”
“That’s good. I’m glad Marianne allowed you the comfort of a friend.”
“Mrs. LaMotte! Sadie is not a prisoner here. We discussed this earlier,” Marianne’s voice deepened in her aggravation.
It appears they haven’t kissed and made up yet. This ought to be a fun meeting.
“Yes and that’s why I had to untangle a web of red tape to get this visit,” Mrs. LaMotte snarled.
“Yes, to keep you away.” Marianne examined her fingernails, apparently unconcerned with Mrs. LaMotte’s complaints.
“I understand why you’re angry at me, even though it’s unjustified. I was following Lucinda’s last wishes. You would have done the same thing.”
I flinched at the mention of my mother’s name, but kept quiet. I didn’t want to get in the middle of this fight.
“I would have never allowed my great-niece to be raised in an orphanage!” Marianne’s raised voice echoed throughout the parlor.
“Guess that explains why Lucinda didn’t confide in you then.” Mrs. LaMotte placed a hand at the small of my back and guided me to the seat next to hers. Her hand gripped mine, as if she feared I would be whisked away from her again. Without another glance at Marianne, she turned to me. “I want you to know that I was released three days ago after the Caelian Council looked through the evidence and found me not guilty of the charges. The government has dropped their charges as well. Since then, I have been forced to jump through hoops to get this one visit. Apparently, your aunt feels I am a negative influence in your life.”
Rage filled my mind as my Talent flared to life, pulsing beneath my skin. Mrs. LaMotte’s hand gripped tighter instead of letting go. That was why I loved her. She wasn’t afraid of me. She should be training me instead of Byron. I opened my mouth to say just that, but Mrs. LaMotte continued talking.
“I requested to be reinstated as your Talent coach, but that motion was denied by the Moreau council. Tell me Sadie, how is your training going?”
“What training? That flare you just felt was the most work my Talent has done since I was with the HPC. My coach Byron refuses to do more than basic drills.”
Mrs. LaMotte shifted her gaze to Marianne, “You’ve got her training with Byron? That sniveling weasel of a man? He wouldn’t know how to train someone with a Talent as dangerous as Sadie’s if you gave him a detailed manual. He’s an idiot.”
“I agree and well, I um … I kind of … well I may have lost my temper with him today.”
“Yes. I have been informed of your altercation.” Marianne looked at me, aggravation etched on her face. I flinched from her gaze, but at least it wasn’t filled with the unadulterated hatred she shot at Mrs. LaMotte.
“Altercation?” Mrs. LaMotte asked.
“I hit him.”
Mrs. LaMotte’s laugh exploded from deep within her belly. “I bet the look on his face was priceless.”
I nodded in agreement.
“This is not funny. Sadie, you broke his nose and loosened three of his teeth. He has refused to work with you. Who will I get to replace him? He was the only member of this family who agreed to try and work with you.”
A tidal wave of guilt washed over me and for a moment I felt remorse for what I had done. Not for Byron, but for my aunt. I hadn’t realized she was struggling to find someone willing to train with me. Then fury swelled in its place.
“If you can’t find anyone to train me, then why not let Mrs. LaMotte? She’s great at it, and I actually like her.”
“No. She betrayed the Moreau family when she let my niece die and ran off with you—the only true family I had left.” Marianne sliced her hand through the air as if she were cutting off all other discussion involving Mrs. LaMotte training me. I released my displeasure at her with a decidedly un-lady like growl.
I turned away from my aunt and looked at Mrs. LaMotte. She had been quiet during the last exchange. Her forehead wrinkled as if she was in deep thought. Our hands were still connected, so I gave hers a squeeze in attempt to get her attention. Her face smoothed as she smiled at me.
“I’m sorry for zoning out on you. I had an idea that might work for everybody.”
“Oh yeah?” I asked, excitement creeping in.
“Yes,” she answered before turning to look at my aunt, who stared at our clenched hands with longing. “Marianne, would you be opposed to having an outsider come in and train her? Someone not involved with the HCA, the other families, or the government?”
“It depends on his credentials, but yes.” Marianne’s voice leveled out to an almost civil tone that reminded me of when I first heard her speak at the mediation. This must be her politician voice.
“There is a man who lives deep in the Appalachian Mountains who could help. No one knows much about him or his Talent, but he has a knack for perceiving the Talent of others. It is said that he is strong enough to see how the Talent and the nature of the soul intertwine. I have met him once, and I can tell you, it was an unforgettable experience. He usually keeps to himself, but I have heard of him leaving his sanctuary to help Caelians struggling with their Talent. Before Sadie was kidnapped, I was considering whether to bring him in to help.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “I should warn you that he used to be a part of the Order of Caelum. His role was to examine those in leadership, but he was removed years ago.”
I shifted in my seat, all the warmth from earlier having dissipated. The thought of another person having the ability to see the very nature of my soul made me feel exposed. What if he found some darkness that made my Talent so destructive? Then, there was the whole Order of Caelum thing. I had never known any member of that religious group, except Kian, but he didn’t align himself with them anymore. They had publically sided with Koenigs a few days before, and the thought of some ex-member getting a glimpse at my soul made my entire body clench with dread. I glanced at Marianne, her chin pinched between her thumb and finger as she thought on Mrs. LaMotte’s suggestion.
“If he checks out, then I think this mountain man would be the best person to see if Sadie has more potential for her Talent than what has presented itself. Give Francis his contact information on your way out.” Marianne stood. Her face was carefully neutral as she smoothed out the wrinkles in her suit before looking at us, eyes narrowing before her gaze shifted to the door. My gut twisted and I knew she was going to make Mrs. LaMotte leave. “You have five minutes to say your goodbyes.”
She turned on the ball of her foot and walked out of the room.
“I don’t want you to leave.”
“I don’t want to leave you either, but I have to. You know I cann
ot interfere with the inner workings of a family. Even if it is one that I once belonged to.”
My eyes stung as I let the tears I had been fighting spill down my cheeks. Mrs. LaMotte jumped up from her seated position and pulled me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around her waist and buried my face in her neck. It was a little awkward since she was a few inches shorter than me, but I ignored the twinge in my back and instead breathed in her perfume, letting it imprint on my memory.
She broke the hug first, pushing me back and again cupping my cheeks. Her thumbs wiped away the remaining tears. She didn’t have to speak. I saw the love and melancholy in her eyes, and I knew the emotions reflected in mine.
“I love you, Mrs. LaMotte. I hope it isn’t weird for you to hear it, but it’s true. You’ve been there my whole life and I never understood why you were so hard on me, but now I do. You wanted me to the best version of myself, and I hope that is what you see when you look at me. I want to make you proud.”
“I am proud of you. And, no, it isn’t weird to hear those words because that is exactly how I feel. You were always more than a student to me. I love you too, little bird.”
“Little bird?”
“Right before your mom passed, she thought your cries sounded beautiful like a bird. In my mind, I always thought of you with that nickname. It suits you.”
Fresh tears fell as I smiled. “Thank you. I wish we had more time for you to tell me about my mother.”
“We will have time once you get that Talent under control. Until then, don’t punch your new trainer and even though she hates my guts, Marianne isn’t one of the bad guys. She wants what’s best for you. You can trust her.” Cold replaced the heat from her hands as she removed them from my face and grasped my hand. We walked toward the door hand in hand, the touch filling me with comfort.
“What are you going to do?”
She ran her free hand down her body. “Obviously, I’m going back to the HCA. My brother has requested that I train the Talents of the youth who arrived after the attack on St. Vincent’s.”
The Caelian Cycle Boxed Set Page 44
