He told Nathan about the search he was starting, as well as his plans to take Stephen to the Big Mysterious Palace when he was back out that way. It was a place that they had both visited a lot as children, and there was some damage that their family needed to take care of. Vincent was in bonding mode and since he hadn’t been able to bring himself to go there since his family’s deaths, now he could. Stephen would be by his side and things were going to be different. Better. Everything was looking up, and it was really hard for Vincent to not be optimistic.
For some reason, it all started with Mallory for Vincent. She was the major piece of the puzzle that was going to make everything fall into place. He was just so sure of it and could already feel her back in his arms.
“So, put some guys on the Mallory situation. I want to find her, but I don’t know where she went. By the sound of it, she’s underground and not looking to be found. First one that gives me good information gets a bonus. A really good one, make sure they know that.”
Nathan said that he would, as well as agreeing to hold it all down while Vincent was gone.
“It will all be here just as you left it.”
Vincent smiled and agreed. “I know. You’re the only one I could trust to do this, Nathan. I wouldn’t trust the students in any other hands.”
They shook hands and parted ways. Vincent was headed back to Colorado for some unfinished family business. While he was away, he was hopeful that something would be found on Mallory. All he needed was an address and then he would have her back in his arms.
Once Vincent knew that Balthazar was out of the picture, it all started to look a whole lot brighter. He still wanted to kill him, sure, but knowing that he didn’t get the girl, that mattered more to him, somehow.
Chapter 12
Mallory was doing her best to try to stay calm. Laura told her that the headmaster, Vincent, was paying extra attention to Ethen at school. Mallory worried that he would somehow find out who Ethen was. That would turn everything into a huge mess. While she wanted her son to be close to Vincent, she didn't want him to necessarily know about it. It was something that she hadn't prepared herself for. It was already hard enough just sending her son to the school, knowing that Vincent was walking the halls.
Laura was constantly asking her what her plan was, like she somehow had this grand plan that was just going to make everything work out. Mallory really wished that the assumption was true. He would have made her life a lot easier. She didn't have a plan, though. Moving back to London and getting close to Vincent had literally been as far as she had gotten with it. What she was going to do next, Mallory had no idea.
Laura wouldn't let it go, though. Mallory asked her if she was sick of taking Ethen to school and Laura said that it had nothing to do with that.
“Then, what is it?”
“Now that he's starting to get close to Ethen, aren't you afraid that he knows what's going on?”
It had certainly crossed her mind. Mallory knew that she was pushing it the way she was doing it. She obviously should have really thought it through. Maybe deep down she wanted to see that things were different now, and she didn't have to run away, anymore. There had been some kind of connection between them long ago and even though it had been so long since they’d seen each other, Mallory had to wonder if it was still there. And if it was, what would that mean for them?
If there ever was a ‘them’ again.
“I don't think he does. Vincent has never been the sort of guy to keep his mouth shut. If he knew that Ethen was ours, I would have heard about it by now.”
“Is that what you're waiting for? Do you want him to find out and then come to you?”
Mallory shrugged her shoulders and looked away. She didn't want to admit it, but maybe a part of her wanted Vincent to see his son and see that that's who Ethen was. Mallory didn't know what she expected, but all of the feelings that came over her every time his name was mentioned was probably not one of them.
“I'm not waiting for anything. The Academy is the best place for Ethen to learn about his powers.”
“He's kind of young for the Academy.”
“There are plenty of people in his class his age.”
Her voice was snappy and she knew that it had nothing to do with her being mad at Laura. She helped Mallory in so many ways. It had nothing to do with her. It had to do with Mallory, and she was getting a little defensive, because Laura was exactly right. Mallory hadn’t chosen the London Academy just because she wanted her son to have a good education. It was probably the last thing on her mind when she had made the decision. Ethen’s education mattered, of course, but she’d been thinking about the headmaster at the time.
The only question that she really did not know was if she had moved back to London to be close to Vincent for her or if it was for her son. Mallory wanted to say it was the latter, but she couldn’t actually say that truthfully and honestly. She just didn't know. Would it be so bad if it was for both?
“Come on, Mallory, don’t get all frumpy about it. You are just getting all worked up because you know I'm right.”
“Whether you're right or not doesn't matter, but you know me too well.”
“I also know how much you talked about him over the years. It's okay that you have a thing for him. He is the father of your child. You're always going to love him in some way and have a connection. I don’t think you would be able to stop it if you wanted to.”
It all sounded good in theory, and Laura just kind of nodded her head in agreement, but Mallory knew deep down that she didn't want him to love her because she was Ethen's mother. Just like she didn’t just love him because he was his father. There had been this time that they’d spent together, and it had never been matched any other time in her life. That was saying something.
“I don't really know what I'm doing here, Mallory. There are a lot better places to live than London. The rent is sky high and there's no yards anywhere. Nobody has a garden here.”
“I know.”
