They’re inside, talking in hushed voices.
I cup my hands around my ear to hear better.It works!I can make out their words.
“Stella is beginning to notice things and ask questions,” Mom says, her voice low and urgent. “We need to bring her initiation forward.”
“I don’t know about that,” Dad whispers back. “She isn’t ready.”
Mom mutters something unintelligible. I hold my breath, focusing as hard as I can. The door feels cold against my skin. The faint scent of Mom’s perfume lingers in the air.
Dad is speaking now. “We need to have some conversations with her before we begin the induction.”
“Did you know she tried to break off her engagement this afternoon?” Mom asks.
“What?” Dad sounds shocked. “Are you sure? Did she tell you that after she got home?”
“She didn’t tell me anything. It’s Lana who called me after Philippe told her. He persuaded her to take the time to reconsider her decision, but he doubts she will.”
“I thought she liked him…” There’s genuine incomprehension in Dad’s voice.
“She did. She still does. But she isn’t attracted to him.”
“Ah.” Dad lets out an audible sigh. “Then, I guess you’re right. We need to speed things up. We’ll discuss the details with the Bauds at our next meeting.”
How cute of them all joining together to ensure my happiness!Behind my back.
My broken engagement was supposed to be a personal matter, yet it’s entwined in something bigger.
“We need to shift into high gear with Darrel, too,” Mom says. “We’ve been limiting his food intake and keeping him sedated, but he’s healing fast. Much too fast!”
“No surprise there. He’s fit and in perfect health.”
“My point precisely,” Mom concurs. “How long until he can walk again?”
“You’re the one with medical training. You tell me.”
My heart skips a beat.
“Honestly?” Mom pauses before adding, “I think we can afford one more ritual, and that’s it. If he can’t retrieve the information we need, then we must dispose of him.”
What?Did she just say what I think she said? Or did I mishear her?
Dad sniggers. “Lana won’t let us.”
“He’s handsome, isn’t he?” There’s laughter in Mom’s voice.
How can they laugh while making plans to murder an innocent man?!Who are these people? I’ve known them all my life but, suddenly, I feel like I don’t know them at all.
“He sure doesn’t deserve to die.” Mom’s voice is now filled with regret. “But we have no choice.”
“No, we don’t,” Dad agrees.
I can barely breathe as the gravity of their words sinks in. They’re going to kill Darrel if the next ritual doesn’t yield useful information about their stupid talisman. Same, if it does.
“In the end,” Dad says, “I’m not sure how useful another ceremony will be… Darrel clearly doesn’t have access to the Ever Mage.”
“You think his mark is just a random tattoo? A coincidence?”
“It could be.”
