Chapter Eighteen
Lilith
Alistair can’t take his eyes off Mom. He never can when they’re in the same room.
Doesn’t it remind you of someone?
I’d been blind to it until now. I’m finding it hard to keep my thoughts and feelings in check, because any time I’m with Colter, he keeps them locked down with his hypnotic gaze.
My conversation with Raymond Lincoln, which lasted no longer than five minutes, managed to put some things in perspective. But even though I’d had so manyquestions, Raymond’s anxious fear about the Crawfords meant he only said what he thought he needed to, before rushing off in a hurry.
I’m a reporter,he told me.Working on a story that’s going to blow the lid off this whole town.
He got my details from Dr. Rice. I felt betrayed at first, but it soon dawned on me that there was no reason for that. I keep saying it, and I truly mean it, too; Dr. Rice is the only person who believes my account of what happened three years ago.
Sending Raymond is her way of proving it.
I think they’re on to me, he said.I think they know I’m getting closer to their secret.
What secret?I asked. I’m still uncertain whether I should trust him. I still am, now.
I’ve had a tail for days, ever since the mall.
I asked about the photographer behind the pillar, and he confirmed it was him. It creeped me out and relieved me all at the same time.
I had to be sure you weren’t one of them,was the reason he gave, before he started speaking again in frantic passion. In fact, he spoke so quickly, and spewed so much information in a matter of seconds, that I had trouble keeping up, let alone digesting a single thing he said.
In the end, it unsettled me. Not what he said about the Crawfords. Except for the wordscult,murderandscheme,too little stuck with me. My unease came from seeing himso worked up into a frenzy about something that sounded ridiculous. It made me realize that this is how the world viewed me for standing up against the Hendersons.
Then he was off, but I called him back and convinced him to join me at the Rusty Hook the next night. I might as well turn my obligations to Dylan’s ego into a more meaningful encounter.
As we’re getting so close to the wedding, Alistair thought tonight would be a good time to get better acquainted. Instead of rushing out of the door after dinner, he urged us into the parlor, where he’d had someone light a fire in the old, well-worn fireplace.
“Your mother tells me you’ll be finishing your studies soon, Lilith,” Alistair says abruptly. He and Mom are cozying up on a leather love seat, and I’m opposite them in one of the armchairs.
Colter isn’t here yet. Strange, seeing as we only spoke an hour before dinner at the pool. I’m a little bit annoyed by it. If you’d asked me yesterday, I would have said that it is because I don’t want to be here, but today, his absence is the cause of my annoyance.
I’d never admit it out loud, because it’d go straight to Colter’s head, I’m sure, but I kind of enjoy spending time with him. The good, the bad, and everything in between.
Maybe that’s why I’m so doubtful of what Raymond said.
“Yes, very soon.” I smile at no one. Alistair is too busy gawking at Mom again to look at me. “I’m glad too. It’s been a long road.”
Both he and Mom chuckle.
“It’ll be worth it. Your hard work’s going to pay off. Attempting to rectify and preserve the world we take for granted is honorable. Admirable.” His attention shifts to me, briefly. There’s a twinkle in his eye. It tells me how happy he is to be here with us. With her.
“It will be a grueling fight but there’s no one better for the job,” Mom says, flooded with so much parental pride, her eyes tear up.
“What’s this about a fight?” Colter asks from the doorway.
Alistair and Mom stand to greet him. Colter hugs Mom, and the men shake hands, but no one answers his question directly.
“We’re talking about school. Not very exciting,” I say, refusing to let myself fidget in my seat. The last thing I want, right now, is to let him know how glad I am to see him.
I also can’t help but wonder why that is and when the shift happened.
Based on Raymond’s accounts, I should be running for the hills. But I don’t want to.
