Monday morning, I step onto Luminary Academy’s main green with a metallic flavor lacing my mouth. Adrenaline thrums through my veins as if I’m about to embark on a perilous operation rather than simply laying the foundation.
Distant thunder warbles through the thick clouds blanketing the sky. The month is almost over, but I suspect we’re going to get some more April showers. The thin, grayish sunlight doesn’t improve my mood.
As I meander across the grass watching for my targets, several classmates whose names I don’t remember—though maybe Other Elodie would have—welcome me back with waves and cautious smiles. I can’t tell whether they’re nervous that I’ll bite their lowly heads off or that attempted murder is contagious.
If I don’t manage to cross paths with Grady and his friends here, I’ll have more opportunities later. But it’d be nice to get this part of the plan over with.
“Elle!”
I turn at Stella’s voice and force a smile of my own as she walks over to me. She opens her arms in a simple but obvious invitation to a hug, and it feels in character to accept it.
How much longer do I need to keep up this character? Am I really going to maintain the snotty-rich-girl façade even after I’ve exposed my attacker?
As Stella wraps her arms gingerly around me, I remember Dad’s haggard face and Aunt Daphne’s comments about how he fell apart with Mom’s death. Can I really bear to just up and leave him with no explanation?
One step at a time. I’ll figure out those answers once I don’t have to worry about being run down or poisoned anymore.
I return Stella’s hug, pretending I’m taking comfort from it. It’s a strange sensation. Definitely not like hugging Mom or my matches.
For some people—for my doppelganger—it’s normal.
Stella steps back and looks me up and down, the breeze blowing wisps of her light auburn hair loose from her French twist. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I can’t believe—for that to happen right here?—”
She pauses, her gaze lingering on my face. “Areyou okay? If you’d rather not talk about it…”
The fact that she’s considered my comfort, prioritized it over getting the dirt on my situation, eases a little of my awkwardness. I find myself answering honestly. “Physically, I feel fine. I’m just a little shaken up still.”
Stella frowns, shifting her attention to the field around us. “They haven’t figured out who was responsible yet, have they?You don’t think… Salvatore could have seen it as an easy way to hop up a spot, and I’m sure his family?—”
I cut her off with a shake of my head. “No.” Remembering how emphatically my would-be match talked about protecting me makes my stomach flutter. “I’m sure that’s the first lead the police looked into. But I don’t think he cares that much about his ranking anyway.”
“Fair point.” Stella’s brow knits. “I spent all week trying to figure out if there’s anyone we’ve pissed off that much, and I’m coming up empty. But maybe the offense was not paying enough attention? I have no idea how someone who’d stoop to poisoning thinks.”
“That seems like a good thing,” I say wryly, and tip my head toward the doors to Thesan Hall. “The administration is posting extra security. I should be safer here than anywhere else now. My dad’s sending lunch by private courier for me to eat on my own so no one else has access to the food—so I’ll be abandoning the rest of you at lunchtime.”
She makes a face. “Can’t blame him for being careful, but that sounds like a drag for you. Why should you be punished because someone who’s clearly unhinged went psycho?” A soft huff escapes her. “I guess we just hope they find the culprit soon.”
“Yep.”
“Well, if I see anything suspicious, I’ll let you know. It’s just so… wrong. We’re lucents. We’re supposed to be stewarding the rest of human society on the right course, not acting like lunatics.”
The frustration in Stella’s voice sounds genuine—like she finds the act horrific in general, not just because it was directed at one of her friends. Which maybe shouldn’t surprise me, but back in my own reality, I wouldn’t have believed any of the upper-crusters would give a shit if someone beneath their station got offed.
Maybe I should give Stella a little more credit. She did kind of agree with my complaints about the competitiveness at the academy too.
I’m still grappling with that thought when I notice Grady ambling toward the senior building. My pulse hiccups with the worry that he’ll stride straight in, but he stops to join a few of the other 16th years.
Target sighted. If I’m going to relay my message, now’s the perfect time.
Maybe I can get Stella’s help voluntarily rather than dragging her into my ploy unprepared.
Before I can second-guess the impulse, I touch her arm. “Hey. There’s a little charade the police suggested I put on to see if it reveals anything incriminating. It’ll be easier with help. Are you up for playing along?”
Stella raises an eyebrow. “What do I need to do?”
I motion for her to walk with me. “Ask me to come over to your house for dinner tonight, and argue when I say no. Otherwise, just follow my lead.”
Stella’s expression stays bemused, but she joins me in my stroll across the green. She asks the question I prompted gamely enough. “Why don’t you come over to my place for dinner tonight, Elle? My parents would be happy to have you.”
