I repeated it all in my head to make sure I had it straight. “You’re going on this big assumption that he’s in love with me.”
She raised her eyebrow, and said, “Really? I think the letter clears up any doubt.”
“If anything, it only confuses me more.”
“Think about it.”
I ran back it back again mentally, making sure I didn’t miss anything. “Maybe.” Would he do that? “I don’t know,” I shook my head. “You think that’s what it is?”
She got up so we could trade places. “You said you were together in that jungle.”
I sat down, “But I don’t know if we - they were, you know, ‘together’ together, or if they were just working together.”
“No,” she shook her head defiantly, “you are together. You have to be.”
“Wow.” Her definitiveness on the issue surprised me. “And here I thought you liked Bailey.”
“It’s true, he is delicious eye candy. And he’s a hell of a lot better for you than that jerk ever was.” Clearly she was referring to Jeff. She paused for the last drag on her cigarette, and took her time puffing out smoke rings as she exhaled. “That is, assuming he isn’t working with his buddy Morrison and the BOAs.”
I sighed, “Thanks for reminding me I may be sleeping with the enemy.”
“What are friends for?” She grinned. “I think you should be sleeping with the Shadow Watcher, though, he’s pretty yummy too,” she stated a little too loudly.
“SHHHH!” I jumped up and put my hand over her mouth, and whispered emphatically, “I don’t want him to hear you.” I withdrew my hand, sat back down and continued, “I don’t have a choice. He wouldn’t have written it if it weren’t important.”
“Either way, I think you should wait until we get back home to do anything. Enjoy tonight, you can break the news to Michael later.”
“I might not want to later.”
“I don’t think you want to now.”
“I don’t, but what other choice is there?”
“Maybe Future Him doesn’t know how to break up with Future You after a hundred years, so he figured he could end it before it started.” She busted up at herself, and it was clear I would have to settle for my hair being up in a loose knot.
I let out a squeal of feigned indignation, but I couldn’t help but laugh myself. It was funny, assuming the us we saw were a couple in the future.
We got into a laughing fit from there, every time one of us would try to stop, the other would snort or squeak or make some other obscenely funny sound that kept the laughter going longer. I felt all of the stress of the last few weeks draining away - it was just me and my girl, like back when we were in school, getting ready for a dance, giggling over boys without a care in the world.
That feeling of detachment from life’s burdens was nice to have once in awhile; it’s something that no amount of turning back the body’s clock can do. The more years you live, the more cares and worries you will acquire - it’s inevitable if you can be called a human being - but for those few fleeting moments, with certain people, the true spirit of youth can be recaptured. Moments like those get fewer and farther apart, but are definitely worth waiting for the next one to come around.
We laughed ourselves silly, until finally Mom came in the room, “What are you two laughing about?”
We stopped, looked at her, then at each other, and then back at her, replying in unison, “Nothing,” which only sparked further giggling. Mom just shook her head at us and walked back out of the room.
After a few more giggles, we regained our composure enough to get into our ball gowns. Jayden and Mom had them made by two of the Society’s finest seamstresses while Michael and I were gone.
“Eleanor and Rose were fantastic, I can’t believe these dresses,” Jay was going on as she unzipped the bags. “They could be considered works of art.” She wasn’t usually this bubbly about clothes, but when I saw them, I understood.
Jay pulled her gown out first, it was a cerulean satin that would bring out the red in her hair. Off- the-shoulder straps met in a daring neckline, which plunged into an intricate black floral design beaded over the bodice. The beading trailed off onto the skirt, which was layered and ruched in a way that created a flowing effect, like a waterfall. It had enough layers of petticoat underneath, I was sure it would stand on its own.
“Wow,” was all that I could say.
“I know, right?” Then she pulled out mine, “Norma Jean helped design them both.”
“Is she really, you know?” I had to ask.
Jay shrugged, “She’s really sweet, and has flair with gowns.”
My dress was black and strap-less, with a white band around the bust line, and white lace overlays accented the bodice. Another hint of lace peeped out below the high-low hemline, and the white corset style lacing in the back finished in a lovely bow that trailed down over my bustle.
We took turns helping each other into our gowns, zipping, hooking and tying everything into place. I marveled over how well my dress fit, “How did they get it so perfect? It’s like they stitched it on me.”
“This place is crazy, Sam. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
I laughed. “Seriously? I would believe a unicorn stitched them with his horn right now.”
She snickered, shaking her head. “Remember the scan in the security room?”
“Yeah?”
“Well, they’ve got this thing that used that to make a 3-D model of you, with your exact dimensions,” she explained.
I just stood there blinking at her for a minute. “They can do that?”
“There’s a whole lot they can do,” she said, and laughed. “It’s more a question of what can’t they do? It seems they’ve recreated much of their technology from the future. Living here the last couple of weeks has been an odyssey in and of itself.”
“That I can believe.”
“Here,” she handed me a pair of white opera length gloves, “that should do it.”
We both stepped closer to the wall, and smiled in approval when our reflections materialized. I sighed, “At least now we look like we belong here.”
“No.” Jay turned to me, “Now we look like you own the place.”
CHAPTER 30
10/11/2006
The Feast
When we joined the gathering in the ballroom, the festivities were already well underway. With the successful defense of their stronghold, and the acquisition of a fresh supply of the Philosopher’s Stone, the Society had much to celebrate. I decided to heed Jay’s advice, and wait until we got home to tell Michael I needed space.
This would be the first Feast of the Philosopher’s Stone the Society held for nearly twenty years, as my father had not appeared for the last three scheduled Feasts. Apparently the event was once held every ten years, but as the Society grew, they began having them once every five years. Not all members would participate each time, but the opportunity was held at regular intervals for them to do so, as needed. At this particular gathering, there were only a few that looked as though they had to subsist on the fruit of the offspring trees to maintain their age.
From nowhere, Kristoff swooped in, bowing before us, and extending his hand for Jay’s, which he kissed gently before turning for mine. “You ladies look especially ravishing this evening,” he said, but his eyes were only on Jayden.
We giggled at his pleasantries, and I waved my fan as Jay took his arm for him to lead us about the room. There was a presence missing, and I looked about for him.
The hand that seized my elbow made me jump, and I was about to swing down on it with my fan when I looked up, “C-captain Breckenridge, you sh-shouldn’t do that,” I stammered.
He chuckled, “I’m sorry, Cousin. And please, call me Logan.”
I smiled, “It’s nice to officially meet you.”
“Likewise,” he gave a little bow, “may I have the honor of being your escort?” I nodded and he grinned. “It?
??d be nice to get to know you a little before you have to go; there aren’t many members of the family I get to meet.”
I knew I liked him already; the idea of more family was growing on me. I slipped my arm through his and said, “I’d like that.”
The four of us wandered the room a little, taking in the revelry. Kristoff and Logan shared the tales of our battle, and enjoyed a hero’s celebration. Delicacies from around the world were in plentiful supply, and a two hundred and forty-seven year old cache of Flamella bubbly was rumored to be arriving soon.
My mother was making rounds of her own throughout the room; receiving what sounded like many heartfelt congratulations from the few snippets I overheard as we passed in her direction.
Servers arrived, wheeling in the champagne for a toast, and Michael appeared at my other arm just as it was about to be served. “Good evening.”
Flutters sprang from my abdomen, migrating quickly through my body, instantly numbing my brain. I managed to say, “Uh, hi.” Brilliant, I know.
He paid my jitters no mind, and addressed my cousin, “Logan, might I borrow your date for a dance after the toast?”
My cousin looked to me for approval, I nodded. “Yes, but only if I get word with you after.” He removed my hand from his arm, kissed it, and then looped it in Michael’s elbow.
Our glasses came around just then, which I was thankful for because otherwise I was certain Michael would have dragged Logan off to talk immediately. A hush fell over the room as three members of the Council took the stage set up in the middle.
Ilsabein Unverfehert spoke, “Tonight, we celebrate the return of Marquet family, Marion and Samantha.” A cheer went up in the room. “Tonight, we celebrate the victory against our enemy.” Another cheer. “And tonight, let us take a moment to mourn the loss of dear friends. Then we will celebrate their lives, as they would have wanted - as they would expect.” There were several moments of silence. I bowed my head along with everyone else. Though I did not know those who died, I respected their sacrifice.
Ilsabein gave a nod to the band, and the music started up again. Everyone clinked their glasses together; and the party was back on. “We also welcome Samantha Marquet and Jayden Gage as full members of the Society.” There was a round of applause.
Normally, a new inductee would be the first to receive the Philosopher’s Stone, but Jay and I arranged with the Council to wait until the next Feast. Since we didn’t need the age reversal effects yet, and so many others had waited for so long, we would sit this round out.
A half-dozen aging members of the Society stepped up to the stage for the ritual of eating the Philosopher’s Stone. Applause echoed throughout the room as their transformation was complete, and beaming, they stepped down to make way for the next group. The process would take hours based on the number of people gathered around, waiting.
The majority of the Society gradually moved back to their previous activities, pausing only to applaud each transformation. Michael urged me to finish my drink quickly, and then twirled me onto the dance floor for a waltz. I couldn’t help but smile in surprise at how gracefully he moved me into the sea of other couples, “I wouldn’t have expected this from ‘a solider and assassin.’”
He raised an eyebrow, “There’s still a lot about me you don’t know.”
I hated our Future Selves just then. Doesn’t he know how hard it will be to push him away?
***
Our dance turned into three, and then maybe four; we could have danced all night, and it still wouldn’t have been enough for me. We talked a little, and laughed, but I could tell that Michael was dying to know what Logan needed to talk about, so I didn’t argue when he escorted me off the floor. If he knew about my instructions from Future Michael, he might hot have been in such a hurry; it might have lasted a little while longer.
He led me back to where Annika and Alec were hanging out with a few other members of the Shadow Watch, and asked, “Wait for me here?”
“Only if you bring me another glass of champagne,” I smiled. Neither Alec nor Annika had noticed my arrival, so I waited until he had gone about ten paces, and then I followed him through the crowd.
I saw Logan tap Michael on the shoulder toward the edge of the room, and they exited through a small archway. When I got there, I found a small chamber with three more arches.
Less than a second later, I knew it was the same chamber that I’d entered in my dreams, but normally from the arch to the right, which from where I stood, appeared to lead straight back to another archway in the ballroom. To the left was the winding staircase, and a downward slanted corridor was straight ahead. As it was the stairwell I went to in my dream, I picked the arch on my left.
Carefully, I stuck my head through the archway to find the stairwell went further than I could see both up and down, spotted here and there with other landings, just as it was in my dream. I took off my shoes, hooking the straps on my left wrist so I could gather my skirt. Not knowing which way they had gone, I feared I had lost them. I went up two steps, when I heard a brief burst of Michael’s unmistakable laughter echoing from below. So, I turned and tip-toed down the stairs in my nylons, stopping on the second landing down, where I could hear them more clearly.
My cousin was talking, “... here four days ago. Nik and Newt are on their way, from what Kristoff said they’re ecstatic about the news.”
“Well, they have every right to be. They put enough of the work in,” Michael responded.
“Do you think this could mean- ?”
Michael cut him off, “I wouldn’t get my hopes that high yet. Just because it worked with the tree and the rat doesn’t mean anything.”
“You don’t think it worked, do you?”
Michael sighed, “I didn’t say that. I hope to God it did, but we have to be realists Logan. We have to be prepared to take the world as it is in the here and now, with what we have on hand. We can’t hang our hopes out on the what-ifs.”
“You’re right. I can’t help but hope, just the same.”
“And I never said you shouldn’t.” I heard what must’ve been Michael clapping Logan on the shoulder. “I just said we can’t expect that outcome. Come on, we should be getting back.”
Logan cleared his throat, “There’s still one other matter we need to cover.”
Michael asked, “What else?”
“One of the prisoners insists that she deserves special treatment. She says she has information we would be grateful for, in exchange.”
“Ha! What information?” Michael sounded irritated.
Logan sighed, “I don’t know. She said she would only talk to you. She has been screaming your name at the top of her lungs for the last couple of hours.”
There was a weighted pause before Michael asked, “Did she give you her name?”
“Yeah, but hold on, I’ll do better.” He must have shown Michael a picture because he asked, “Do you recognize her?” I didn’t hear a response from Michael, if there was one. Logan continued, “Said her name’s Celine Wettrick.”
“Yeah,” Michael sounded deflated. “That’s what I was afraid of.”
“So you do know her?”
My Shadow Watcher sighed heavily, “I did. It was a hundred and twenty-five years ago for me; I don’t know how long it’s been for her.”
“Well, I’m not sure you should talk to her until she’s gone through the process.” Logan’s voice sounded closer, “But I’ll leave it up to you.”
I couldn’t risk them seeing me fleeing up the stairs, so I ducked behind the curtain over the archway on the landing, and found myself submerged in darkness.
Michael’s voice was close to my landing, “Tell her I won’t talk until I see her psyche-graph results. Just the initial questionnaire will do, you don’t need to go into details. If it’s clear, I’ll arrange for a meeting in the morning.”
Logan’s voice was already starting to fade, “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
I only
heard the muffled sound of Michael’s voice in response, so I counted to thirty, and then hurried back up the stairs. Instead of going back to the party the same way I came, I slipped my heels back on, and went down the corridor that ran parallel to the ballroom.
I bumped into one of the Council members, who introduced himself as Vega Olev. He smiled graciously and welcomed me to the Society. Floating through the crowd on the long path back to where Michael had left me, he sprang out of the crowd in front of me, taking my arm.
“Where did you go?”
I batted my eyelashes, “I needed to find the ladies room.”
He relaxed, and let me go. “I’m sorry, I’m just on edge. And Alec and Annika didn’t even notice I’d left you with them, so I panicked when you weren’t there.”
I slipped my arm through his, “It’s alright, Michael. The bad guys are all locked up.”
He laughed, “If only that were true. Yes, we should be safe enough now, so let’s enjoy it.”
We danced to another three sets before I remembered that I should be pushing him away, not falling even more in love with him. And not letting him fall more in love with me. It was all so unfair.
Eventually, I made excuses that I was exhausted, and he escorted me back to the suite. With a quick peck on his cheek, I said goodnight, and shut my door.
CHAPTER 31
10/12/2006
Dark Shadows Fall
Mom placed an order for breakfast to be brought to our suite the night before, so when Jay and I came staggering out of our room we found her in the sitting room with Michael, Neve, Annika and Logan, already feasting on pancakes, fruit and pastries.
Annika saw us first and smiled brightly. “Good morning, ladies.”
“G’ mornin’,” we both replied hazily. I was glad I’d washed my face and brushed my teeth. I kept forgetting we had live-in company.
“Have something to eat, Sam,” Mom told me. “We have another meeting soon.” I only raised my eyebrow in response, so she continued, “A prisoner has requested a special audience with Michael. You and I are going with him.”
“Oh.” I took a bite of my pancakes, nonchalantly. I hadn’t expected to meet Celine so soon.