Eternal

15 ~ Wheeling and Dealing

The deal was struck. For now, Aidan was staying at Winterhaven. Obviously Mrs. Girard needed him badly—or at least she thought she did—because she was willing to give in to pretty much all of our demands.

She wasn’t quite ready to use him yet, to reveal that she had the Dauphin, so he would remain hidden away at Winterhaven, under Luc’s protection, until needed. Until after graduation, if at all possible. He was allowed his elixir but forbidden to work on his cure. He could travel with me to Atlanta for spring break, but only with Luc accompanying us.

That particular concession was hard won, but I was unyielding. There was no way of knowing what the future would hold, but I wanted these next few months to be as normal as possible. Maybe “normal” would help bring him back. It was worth a shot. Besides, I needed to see my Gran, and I couldn’t leave Aidan, not when I’d just gotten him back.

I’d seen him safely to the infirmary—he was in Nurse Campbell’s capable hands now. After dinner, I’d return to check on him, but right now I needed to find Matthew and tell him what was going on. I hoped he was in his office; otherwise, I’d have to go back to my dorm room and get my cell to track him down.

I was just reaching up to knock on his door when it swung open, nearly knocking me off my feet. “Thank God!” Matthew said, looking strangely pale. Reaching for my elbow, he dragged me inside, kicking shut the door as he did so. “I’ve been going crazy here. What’s going on?”

I filled him in as best I could. When I finished, Matthew raked one visibly trembling hand through his hair. “That’s completely insane” was all he said.

I nodded, my stomach in knots. “Yeah, tell me about it.”

“Okay, tell me again exactly what you agreed to. You personally, I mean.”

“Honestly, I’m not exactly sure. Just that I’d somehow help their cause. You know, as a Sâbbat.”

“She knew that you’d agree to just about anything to gain his release.” He drummed his fingers on his desk. “But Aidan . . . honestly, I’m surprised that he agreed.”

I dropped my gaze to the floor, my cheeks flaming hotly as I remembered exactly what had preceded Aidan’s acquiescence. The kissing. The touching. The lack of clothing . . .

“Ah, I see.” Matthew sighed resignedly. “Of course.”

“It wasn’t like that,” I said, feeling defensive now. “I wasn’t . . . It’s not like . . .” I shook my head, unable to find the words to explain myself. “I wasn’t manipulating him, if that’s what you’re thinking,” I managed at last.

“I’m sure you wouldn’t. At least, not intentionally.”

“Okay, can we drop this? Does it really matter, anyway?”

“I guess not. So . . . we’re going to Atlanta for spring break, huh? I wish you’d given me a little more notice.”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t honestly think I’m letting you go alone, do you? Even with Aidan. Who, I might add, doesn’t exactly look like he’s in any condition to travel.”

“He’ll be okay by then. I hope,” I added. “But you can’t be serious. About coming, I mean. What am I supposed to tell my family?”

He shrugged. “Just that it’s a total coincidence that I’m there—that I have family in Atlanta too. I’ll get a hotel room nearby. Aidan can stay with me.” He watched me closely, gauging my reaction. “You weren’t really planning on having Aidan stay at your grandmother’s, were you? What with everything you’ve told me about Lupe?”

He had a point there. I could totally imagine Lupe barring the front door, wielding garlic and a crucifix. “I hadn’t really thought about it, but you’re right. It’s a good idea, the two of you staying together.” At least, I hoped it was.

Matthew glanced down at his watch. “It’s time for dinner. You going?”

“Yeah, I need to get back. Everyone’s going to be wondering what happened to me.” Especially Tyler.

“Okay.” He nodded. “I think I’ll go check on Aidan now, before I head down to the dining hall.”

“Thanks, I’d appreciate that. Tell him I’ll be back after dinner, okay?”

“Sure, no problem.” Just then his cell began to ring, Charlie’s name flashing across the screen until he hit the decline call button.

I couldn’t help but wonder what he was going to tell her about spring break. Not that it was any of my business. Still, I was curious.

“I’ll see you later,” I said, making my way to the door.

When I let myself out, he was staring at his silent cell, an entirely unreadable look on his face.

I figured the noisy dining hall was as good a place as any to tell them. I kept my voice low as I recounted what had happened—again, sans mention of the intense make-out session.

“So, what are you supposed to do?” Joshua asked. “For now, I mean?”

“Nothing—just wait. Hopefully they won’t need him till after graduation. There are pieces of her plan that have to fall into place first, I guess.” I shrugged. “She really didn’t go into specifics.”

“When can we see him?” Sophie asked.

Cece nodded. “Yeah, is he up for visitors?”

“Let’s all go together, as soon as we’re done eating,” I offered, pushing aside my tray of mostly uneaten lasagna.

Tyler raised one brow. “Even me?”

“Even you. I told him you were helping with the cure. Consider yourself redeemed.”

“Well, thank God for that. Wouldn’t want the boyfriend mad at me.”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “You are such a dork, Tyler.”

I turned and glanced over one shoulder, toward the cluster of tables where Jack and the football team usually ate. “Hey, where’s Kate?”

“No idea,” Sophie answered. “I think she’s off somewhere with Jack. She didn’t come back to the room after sixth period.”

I glanced over at Tyler, watching for a reaction. Nothing.

“I still can’t believe she and Jack are back together,” Cece said, shaking her head. “I mean, after what he did?”

Marissa tossed her long, dark hair over one shoulder. “Well, they have a history together. You know how that goes.”

It was so weird to hear Marissa defending their relationship. Just last year, she could barely contain her disapproval. It was a complete about-face on her part. I wondered if Max had something to do with it, if he’d somehow softened her hard edges. Likely so, I reasoned, watching as they rose together and took their trays to the trash. They moved in perfect sync, like two halves of a whole.

Cece pushed aside her tray. “Well, I’m ready to go see Aidan whenever you guys are.”

Sophie nodded. “Me too.”

“Yeah, let’s bust this joint,” Tyler said, rising.

Everyone was standing, looking eager. I joined them, grinning now. “Let’s go, then.”

Ten minutes later, everyone paused in the infirmary’s antiseptic-smelling hallway while I slipped into Aidan’s tiny room.

“Hey,” he said, his eyes lighting up as he set aside a thick, leather-bound book.

My gaze skimmed over him, my heart soaring at the sight. He was wearing a gray T-shirt and a pair of plaid pajama pants—I had no idea where they’d come from, but he looked comfortable. In fact, he looked healthier already, more vital. Whatever Nurse Campbell had done for him, it was clearly working. Bless that woman.

“Hey,” I said, smiling giddily now. “You’ve got some guests out there”—I tipped my head toward the door—“if you’re up for it.”

His mouth curved into an easy smile. “Sure. Of course.”

With a nod, I reached for the door and threw it open. “Come on in, everyone.”

I leaned back against the wall, watching happily as they streamed in—Sophie and Cece, Marissa and Max, Joshua and Tyler. Sophie reached his bedside first, wrapping her arms around him in a big hug. Cece followed suit, wiping tears from her eyes.

“Hey, man.” Joshua executed a one-armed hug/fist bump combo. “Good to see you.”

“Well, if it isn’t the boyfriend,” Tyler drawled, winking in my direction as he approached the narrow bed.

“Aw, Vi, you brought your little friend,” Aidan shot back with a grin.

Next thing I knew, the two of them were doing that same little half hug, fist bump thing.

“Good to see you in one piece, man,” Tyler said, sounding—was it possible?—a little choked up. “Though just barely. Shit, what’d they do to you?”

I couldn’t stop the shudder that snaked down my spine, remembering those shared sensations.

“This is nothing,” Aidan answered with a shrug. “You should have seen me last night.”

I was suddenly glad I hadn’t.

Joshua pulled up a chair beside the bed and sat, pulling Cece into his lap. “You think you’ll be back in class soon?” he asked. “We’ve got an art history field trip on Friday—MoMA this time. Won’t be the same without you.”

Aidan nodded. “I’ll be there. Hmm, it appears that I’ve missed some interesting developments,” he said, raising one brow quizzically as Joshua absently stroked Cece’s shoulder. “Anything else I should know about?”

There was a knock on the door, and everyone turned to look as Kate stuck her head inside. “Hey! Okay if we come in?”

We?

“I texted her where we were,” Sophie whispered. “Hope that’s okay.”

“Of course,” Aidan called out.

I could only stare in shocked silence as Kate walked in, a sheepish-looking Jack trailing behind her.

Tyler was on his feet in an instant, his face a mask of fury. “You’ve got a lot of nerve coming here, asshole,” he said, stepping directly into Jack’s path.

“It’s okay,” Aidan said sharply. “Violet told me why he did it. He didn’t have a choice.”

Tyler didn’t back down. “You sure? Because I’d really like to kick his sorry ass.”

Aidan closed his eyes and took a deep, shuddering breath, looking as if he were suddenly in pain. “Yeah, I’m sure,” he said at last.

I hurried over to his side, perching on the bed beside him. I ran my hand over his forehead, not quite sure what I was feeling for. “You okay?”

He nodded. “I’m . . . fine. Just tired.”

Cece rose off Joshua’s lap. “Yeah, we should go and let you get some rest. I’m so happy to see you, though. You gave us all such a scare.” Still clutching Josh’s hand, she leaned down and kissed Aidan on the forehead. “Get better, okay?”

“I’ll try my best,” he said with a smile that looked forced. I wasn’t sure what was going on—didn’t understand vampire physiology enough to know exactly how they’d damaged him—but he obviously wasn’t well. At least, not as well as he’d like us to believe.

I remained there by his side, clutching his cold hand in mine while everyone said their good-byes. The feeling that we were family, my Winterhaven friends and me, comforted me. The deeply rooted friendship, the camaraderie there in the room was palpable. I couldn’t help but wonder what was going to happen to us all when we went off to college, scattered about the globe. I couldn’t think about it, not now. Not when we were finally back together again, all of us.

Finally, only Jack and Kate remained in the tiny, cramped space. I kept my gaze down, locked on Aidan’s and my intertwined fingers. I couldn’t look at Jack—didn’t want to remember how he’d betrayed us all.

“I was hoping I could talk to you,” Jack directed at Aidan. “I have . . . I mean, there’s something I’d like to say to you. Alone.”

Aidan shook his head. “It’s not necessary. Trust me. I understand.”

“It is necessary,” Jack argued.

I rose, fiddling with the bedcovers. Clearly, Jack needed to say his piece. “I’ll be just outside, okay?”

“I’ll go with you,” Kate said, then turned toward Aidan, patting his shoulder awkwardly. “It’s really great to see you, Aidan. I’m glad you’re back.”

“Thanks,” he murmured.

With one last glance back in his direction, I followed Kate out, leaving Jack to his apology. Perhaps then we’d all be right again. The Winterhaven Warriors—plus two, if you added in Tyler and Max—back together at last.

I only hoped that this time we wouldn’t be called to a fight.