It appears to be the three bodyguards from the party. They shuffle our way:
“Julia Princip. That’s one of the names that fortune teller girl said to the boss.”
“Welp, my guy at city hall says she’s buried over here.”
“Called in the midnight favor for that one.”
“Yeah. The name Max Blanck still carries weight in this town.”
“What are we going to find at a gravesite?”
“Dunno. But it’s the only mention of a Julia Princip I could find. Can’t hurt to look.”
I don’t have time to be saddened by that—the only mention of Julia Princip is her headstone. Pax grabs Nirav’s hand, lays a finger over his lips, and jerks his head toward the gravel path. I grab the handles of William’s chair and struggle to maneuver over the coarse walkway. We duck under shadows, against the stone wall, and toward the front gate.
When at last we’ve outmaneuvered them, we pant in the shadows.
Pax looks up from his crouch, hands on knees. “You said my sister’s name to Max Blanck?”
I feel sick. “And Daisy’s.”
Pax looks crestfallen. “Oh, Stella. This changes everything.”
“No,” I snap. I am so angered, I could spit fire. “No guilt from you, Pax.You and your gunchanged everything.”
How could I have ever let myself fall so deeply? I knew I was just filling a lonely void. A crushing mistake. One I won’t ever make again.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
After we dash through the gates of the cemetery, I unwind the bloody bandage that binds my foot and tie it to one of the wrought iron fence posts.
My blood on the paisley-patterned belt that bound my waist earlier this evening. Hopefully it’s enough to tell Clarice and KiyokoStop. Do not enter.
Pax pauses to rub the fraying, bloody belt like a talisman. My heart twists; it’s quite the fitting metaphor for our torn, soiled relationship.
I slide my ballet slipper back on with a wince. There’s not much time; I limp away with the others quickly. Tonight’s events thunder through me like a raging headache.
I know now that Kiyoko did not leap, but is she safe? Spirit is giving me nothing on the whereabouts of my friend, but I sense in my soul that she’s alive. I would’ve felt our connection change otherwise.
How will we find her now?
Nirav yawns, rubs his eyes. I suddenly feel heavy and dry-eyed and oh-so-tired. I glance at the slender wristwatch on my arm, the one that thrilled me earlier, when I thought about it in sync with Pax’s timepiece. I hadnothingin sync with Pax. It’s almost 2 a.m.
“We need sleep,” I say. “Where should we stay this evening?”
“Go back to the boardinghouse,” Pax says. “I don’t think anyone could track you there in one night. But yes, this will be our last night in each of our respective homes.”
We’re temporary, Pax had said. This is the beginning of the end. Where the merry band disbands. I allow myself no remorse. If I weren’t so tired, if I knew how to find Kiyoko on my own, I’d likely take Nirav’s hand and hide in another part of the city.
We plan to meet at Pax’s apartment in the morning. William says a quick goodbye and heads to wherever his home may be.
I’m too bone-tired to argue. We trudge back to the boardinghouse. Nirav enters silently.
I am alone with Pax for the first time all day. Yesterday, my heart would’ve sung at this opportunity. Now, I am confused and galled. I saw this heartbreak coming. And still, I leapt. What a fool I’ve shown myself to be.
Pax appears to feel similarly wounded. We’ve been similarly wounded this whole time. Butthesewounds—our freshest wounds—were inflicted by us, on us. I cannot trust him. He does not trust me.
We don’t hold each other’s hands. We don’t hold each other’s eyes. We both feel it: This was a mistake,us. It’s painful, but it was inevitable. Loving someone only leads to heartbreak.
