Billow (42 page)

I settled into a chair and rubbed my face.

There were things that needed to be done. We had to figure out who the Shadow was. And the sooner we did it, the better.

Because he was still controlling the war and manipulating events to make us react. It was a balance we had to change.

I will take everyone and everything you care about. Until you break
.

No. I would do everything I could. I wouldn't break.

Bone-deep exhaustion took hold. I wasn't sure who I was trying to convince.

"Kendra?"

Marquisa Desmarais approached, arm around one of the rescued ondines.

The little girl who smiled.

She huddled against the Marquisa's leg, light blue eyes wide and staring.

"I wanted to say thank you." Nanette's eyes were bright with emotion. "Thank you for bringing back my granddaughter."

I gave a slight nod. So this was Charisse Desmarais. The one Marcella said had the punching problem.

"Charisse begged to see you. Do you have a moment?"

The girl still stared as if I were the most fascinating person she'd ever seen.

"Yeah…I mean, sure."

The Marquisa turned to her. "Just for a few minutes, okay? Kendra needs her rest."

She nodded with a serious expression.

Nanette left the waiting area and headed for Marcella's room.

Charisse settled into the chair next to me.

Nervous, I stared at my hands. I'd never been around kids and I wasn't sure how I was supposed to act.

"I'm sorry about Marquisa Irisavie," she suddenly said.

My heart lurched.

"And I'm sorry about what…what happened."

Her expression clouded over. God, I was bad at this stuff.

"Um…" I cleared my throat. "My aunt told me about you. About all her students."

Her face brightened.

"She's my favorite teacher." She declared it with certainty. The way kids did because their world was still black and white. "She understands things."

I smiled, remembering what Marcella told me about her. "Yeah. She's pretty cool about stuff."

She examined my face. "Were you scared? When you were fighting those Aquidae?"

I nodded.

Her eyes rounded. "Really?"

"Can we keep it a secret? It's not something I tell a lot of people."

"Promise." She leaned forward like she had something important to share. "I was really, really scared too."

Her voice was hushed. Solemn.

"But you smiled at me. Back there."

"Because I wasn't scared anymore."

Surprised, I pulled back a bit. "Why not?"

"Grandma always told me the
sondaleur
would save us from Aquidae," she pronounced loudly. Almost as if she expected me to disagree. "The Aquidae called you that so I knew you came to save us."

My throat closed up. Anything could've gone wrong at the factory. Those Aquidae could've jumped me at any moment.

And it wasn't really me that did it. If Aubrey and Ian hadn't shut off the magic…

I took a deep breath. There were no ifs.

We'd rescued them. This time.

For now, that had to be enough.

Charisse's little body suddenly wrapped around my torso in a tight hug.

Astonished, I gazed down at her.

Was she going to cry? I didn't know what to do.

She buried her face under my chin and I smelled the warm softness of her hair.

"You'll stop them." The tone was quiet and fervent. A little girl making a wish. "The
sondaleur
will stop them."

I wondered what I looked like at her age.

When my mother taught me to hold the grip of a gun. When I competed and won against opponents older and bigger than me.

Hearing the sound of gunshot, feeling the impact of kicks and punches.

Learning to endure pain.

Remember the why.

Slowly, ever so gently, I put my arms around her.

"I'll stop them."

Her tiny shoulders shivered at the steeliness of my promise.

 ***

Jeeves and I walked out into the afternoon sun.

It was snowing.

I shut my eyes and relished the feel of soft flakes brushing against my skin.

Just for a moment.

And then we climbed into the government sedan and began our journey back. To Haverleau, war, and prophecy. The life of the
sondaleur
.

"Are you feeling all right?" Jeeves asked quietly.

"I wasn't injured."

There were other, more pressing questions that needed to be covered. "Do you know what happened to the ceremonial blade we secured?"

That blade was how Aquidae turned. Its magic triggered the Shadow's blood and initiated the process. Without it, they wouldn't be able to perform any more turnings.

The problem was I didn't think it was the only blade they had.

"It's already been brought back to the Selkie Kingdom."

"Why?"

"The Armicant wanted it."

Startled, I glanced at him. "The one who makes our
kouperets
?"

"As the weapons maker for elementals, he's probably the right person to hold it for now."

Damn. I'd hoped to have a chance to examine the magic emanating from it.

I settled back in my seat. "What happened to the victims?"

"Cloakers worked on the humans and removed memories of what happened. They've returned to their lives with a feasible story of where they've been. The children are working with Daniel's therapists at the hospital. A few Rogue elementals have moved to Haverleau."

"They can do that?"

He nodded. "Just like you did. Rogue is a voluntary state. After what happened, some of them preferred to be in an ondine community with extra protection. The Governor removed their statuses and welcomed them in."

I remembered how exhausted my grandmother looked the day before we went into the factory. It was a significant change from the first time I saw her in Headmaster Pelletier's office last spring.

"How is she?"

"The Governor's health continues to weaken." A touch of sadness accompanied that statement. "There is nothing any of us can do about that."

"You've worked with her for a long time."

He looked a little surprised. "Yes, for twenty-two years now. I've been Chief Counsel for twelve."

I studied him. "Why don't you get along with Nexa?"

"My grandmother doesn't approve of some of the decisions I've made in my life," he said diplomatically.

"Rhian feels the same way about me."

"Having strong, stubborn grandmothers isn't the easiest thing in the world."

"Does it have something to do with leaving the chevaliers?"

Maybe it was a little rude to pry into his life. But he was a demillir with a Virtue. Someone different, like Julian.

I wondered how he ended up in suits working for Rhian.

His expression turned shrewd. "You talked to my son."

No use hiding it now. "Yes."

It took a long time for him to speak.

"I've made many mistakes in my life,
sondaleur
. I've tried my best to make up for it."

"Have you?" His answer was suddenly important to me. "Have you been able to make up for them?"

"I don't think you ever really can," he said slowly. "It's more about learning from them. Accepting you made them. Trying to do better."

We drove through the woods near Haverleau, the bare trees stark against the fresh snow glittering on the ground.

My mind returned to the factory basement. All the unspoken thoughts I'd carried. All the pain I'd held on to and the fears that continually consumed.

Everything that made me who I was.

And the one person who'd accepted it all without question.

Tristan didn't protect me. He stood by my side. We fought back-to-back and brought down the Aquidae together.

Even if it meant risking being hurt by my magic.

He'd trusted me. Come back for me.

Maybe it was time I accepted and trusted all the parts of me, too.

The car turned into the long drive leading to the main Haverleau entrance.

"You must be hungry." He acknowledged the gardinel with a short nod and drove through the gates. "Let's stop by Cafe Riviére first."

My mouth watered. I hadn't eaten anything in over a day.

He parked the car in the back lot and we headed inside. The familiar aromas of freshly baked goods, savory sauces, and rich coffee welcomed us.

Stan was at the counter showing someone how to work the coffee machine.

"Bastien!"

Pale green eyes twinkled under a tousled mop of light brown hair. When I saw him outside the factory, he was bruised up pretty badly.

But his face was now smooth and uninjured. Lean body comfortably wore a white half-apron with a dishtowel tucked in at the waist.

It was a far different look from the very chic Club Axis.

"Hey, if it isn't the
sondaleur
." He came around the counter and enveloped me in a hug.

"What are you doing here?"

Jeeves placed our order with Stan and sat at the counter. "Mr. Landry is one of those who decided to return to a community. He gave up Rogue status and joined Haverleau."

Bastien shrugged and his eyes slightly darkened. "Let's just say I'd rather be safe than sorry."

Fear could be a powerful motivator.

I remembered Bastien telling us how much he enjoyed being Rogue. Instead of becoming a chevalier, he preferred to live among the freedom of humans.

If he gave that up to return to a community, what happened must've deeply frightened him.

I hopped on to the stool next to Jeeves. Stan poured a cup of coffee and I tried not to drool. It smelled amazing.

"Bastien couldn't have come at a better time." Stan could barely restrain his excitement. "He's agreed to take over the cafe."

My eyes widened. "What?"

Bastien grinned. "I had a lot of experience working in bars and restaurants while Rogue. When I found out he's been waiting to retire for years now, I offered to take over the place."

"He's a born natural. Picked up the recipes for my eclairs and mastered them in no time."

Wow. Stan had threatened to retire for so long, I didn't think he'd ever do it.

But Bastien was great with people. If he did justice to those recipes, it was a win-win for everyone.

I dug into a hot, comforting bowl of soup and enjoyed the momentary respite.

Stan chattered non-stop. He described his cottage in Mexico and the fishing, food, and weather. Anticipation for the next phase in his life colored every word.

Humming under his breath, Bastien wiped the counter and prepared a fresh pot of coffee. His relaxed, easy movements already made him seem at home.

"I'm leaving in a week," Stan continued. "What do you think, Kendra? When I get there, should I lie out on the beach for a few days and do nothing? Or go out exploring?"

There were still those who moved forward. Those who somehow found their own peace within the nightmare of war.

I put down my mug and smiled. "Either way sounds great."

THIRTY-FOUR

As soon as we walked in to the Governor's office, I knew this wasn't a meeting to go over what happened.

Nexa and Nanette sat on chairs near the fireplace. Jeeves joined Tristan, who gazed through the window at the Royal Gardens.

Wary, I settled on the leather sectional and faced everyone. "I'm guessing this isn't a debriefing."

Another streak of grey had emerged in Rhian's hair. But her posture and tone remained regal.

"
Sondaleur
, we're here to discuss your future."

"What's there to discuss?"

My future was crystal clear. Become a chevalier and fulfill the prophecy.

Her expression grew colder. "Because of what happened to Marcella, the Irisavies no longer have an heir. As my last remaining relative, it falls upon you to assume that position."

First of all, Marcella was still alive. We didn't know when or if she'd regain consciousness, but my grandmother talked about her own daughter like she was already dead.

Second of all, what was this about being an heir?

"I'm sorry." I matched her icy tone. "I don't understand."

A faint unreadable flicker across Jeeves' face. Tristan continued to look out the window as if I weren't there. Nanette wouldn't meet my eyes.

Nexa was the only one perfectly at ease.

She leaned back and lit a cigarette. "What she means, dear, is you will become the next Governor of Haverleau."

For a full minute, the only sound in the room was the inhale and exhale of her smoking.

Hands clenched and unclenched. Anger and disbelief swirled.

Only Rhian met my eyes with steely calm. Apparently, no one else had the balls to look me in the face.

I crossed my legs. "And if I'm not interested in the position?"

Rhian's eyes flashed. "You are my only remaining heir. The position must go to you and we must secure it immediately."

"I'm not your only heir!" I jumped up. "Quit talking about Marcella like she's not here. She's still alive, she's —"

"It's a matter of time." The quiet of Tristan's voice was unnerving. "You know that, Kendra. She's not coming back. We must prepare for what's to come."

And I suddenly realized why no one was looking at me.

They'd known about this.

Marcella was attacked almost a month ago. Several weeks in which they planned this for me.

The room spun. Breaths came fast and panicked.

"You all knew." My knees gave out and I sank to the sofa.

You have always been a pawn.

The Shadow's taunting words whispered.

When was my life ever going to be mine? How long had everyone been manipulating me for what they needed?

Nexa tapped her cigarette against a pewter ashtray. "The plan was always for Marcella to assume the governorship. She would've protected your position as
sondaleur
while doing what was necessary to support Haverleau."