“Quite right,” agreed Eudora.
They parked in a large municipal lot a block from the Springfield Civic Center. Mike popped out immediately, but Eudora held her seat, staring absently out the windshield.
“You good?” asked AJ.
Eudora gave her shoulders a shake. “Of course.”
The civic center was an ode to the worst of 1970s architecture; all brick and hard angles and aggressively rectangular windows. A cluster of teens had gathered near the entrance—a mix of goth kids and cosplayers. They nodded to Mike, whispering “Dungeon Master” and “DM” as he passed. A hush fell when they noticedGlimmette.With great solemnity, Mike ushered AJ and Eudora through the main doors into an overwhelming throng of fans.
“This way,” he said. AJ and Eudora exchanged a quick look, then followed him to a check-in counter explicitly for exhibitors. “That’s you,” Mike explained. In two minutes flat, he had badges in their hands and had located a staffer to bring them backstage.
“This is where I leave you,” said Mike, then he evanesced into the sea of costumes.
“Shall we?” said the staffer.
AJ scanned the crowd for Noah—no sign of him.
“Let’s,” said Eudora. She took AJ’s hand.
They followed the staffer into the arena, past colorful booths and zany installations, toward a large stage that had been erected at the rearof the stadium. The audience was already teeming with fans—AJ was pleased to see a fair few dressed as Glimmette.
As they were led through an industrial hall to the backstage area, AJ felt Eudora’s grip tighten.
“Here you go,” said the staffer, motioning them into the first wing.
The stage was set for a four-person panel, empty except for a technician taping down cables.
“Here we go,” said Eudora.
The stage manager introduced herself, then the other three panelists: a pop-culture journalist, a radio personality, and a set designer Eudora remembered fromAstronauticals.AJ met them all, since Eudora would not let go of her hand.
The moderator, AJ already knew.
“Sister of Mike!” grinned Peter van der Hopper. He touched his heart. “And of course, Ms. Drew. It’s so good of you to come.”
“It really is,” said Eudora, though not with her usual bite.
A swell of noise shook the auditorium, and Eudora’s grip clutched. This place waspacked.
“Five minutes,” said the stage manager.
“Oh dear,” said Eudora.
As the rest of the talent gabbed in the first wing, AJ led Eudora into the second wing for a moment of quiet. They stood together, staring out at the empty stage. AJ could feel Eudora’s palm quaking.
Where wasNoah?
“You don’t have to do this,” said AJ finally. “We can just leave.”
“I know,” said Eudora.
Her rings dug into the flesh of AJ’s fingers as she squeezed tighter. AJ looked up to find Eudora’s dark, intelligent eyes on her—scared, but resolute. “This was…unexpected for me,” she said finally. “But it was worth it. To find you.”
AJ blinked rapidly, a lump forming in her throat. She nodded. Then, with great difficulty, Eudora released her hand.
They watched side by side as Peter van der Hopper strode out to give the introduction.
“As chair of the Science Fiction Society of the Berkshires, I’m thrilled to welcome you tonight—”
