“What’s going on?” I asked as soon as we stepped out of the vestibule. I didn’t like the look on his face—his eyes had taken on that empty look, his jaw clenched tightly.
“We’ve got to go,” he said without preamble.
My heart began to race, my palms dampening. “What do you mean, go? Go where?”
“Paris. Pretty much right away. They’re gathering for a fight, and they need their Dauphin.”
“Who’s gathering for a fight?” I asked, confused.
“The Propagators. They’re all headed to the Tribunal headquarters, prepared to seize power. To put one of their own in the Eldest’s seat.”
I clenched my hands into fists of frustration. “I don’t understand. Why now?”
“I don’t know. I thought we’d have more time.”
I took a deep, calming breath. “Okay, so we go. We get this over with, whatever it is. Bu-but what about England?” I stammered, my resolve weakening. “We’re supposed to go the week after next.”
A muscle in Aidan’s jaw was working furiously. “You’ll get your trip to England. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Well, what am I supposed to tell Patsy?” I asked, floundering now. “And Matthew. I’ve got to tell Matthew. He’s got to come too. I need him.”
“We’ve got an hour, tops. Nicole has the plane waiting at a private airport nearby. Leave your trunks and just gather whatever you need for a few days, okay, Vi? I’ll find Dr. Byrne and tell him what’s going on. It’s his choice if he wants to come with us or not.”
“Okay,” I said numbly. “I’ll go tell Patsy I’m not feeling well. Or—or that you’re not feeling well, and I’m taking you to the infirmary. And then I’ll just be in my room, changing and getting my stuff ready.”
He nodded, reaching for my shoulders, his fingers digging sharply into my bare skin. “I’ll meet you in your room as soon as I can. I never should have gotten you into this, Violet. I am so very sorry.”
The stark desolation in his gaze was sobering. He thought this was it for us—the end of the road. But it wasn’t; it wouldn’t be. Not if I had anything to do with it. “You can’t protect me from this, Aidan. It’s what I’m meant to do. What you’re meant to do. It’ll work out; it’s all going to work out,” I said calmly, assuredly.
Only, I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince more . . . him or me.
28 ~ Leaving on a Jet Plane
I had never been on a private jet before. I had to admit, a girl could get used to it. Plush leather seats, a flat-screen TV, cashmere blankets—it was definitely posh, even if I was too terrified to actually enjoy any of it.
Because this wasn’t any old private jet—this was the Vampire Tribunal’s jet, and we were on official business. Technically, there was no Tribunal at present; it had been disbanded while the fight for the Eldest raged on. Still, Mrs. Girard retained control of their assets—including the plane—and she was ready to make her move.
My friends had not been happy when I’d told them I was leaving and why. There’d been very little time for good-byes, but I’d assured them that I would be back in time for the trip to England. I only hoped it was the truth.
I glanced up at Matthew, who was sitting directly across from me and Aidan, facing us. He looked remarkably calm, all things considered. He had a book open in his lap, but I couldn’t tell if he was actually reading it, or just pretending to. When we’d boarded, he’d offered to sit somewhere else, to give Aidan and me some privacy. But I wanted him close by, where I could see him.
Even though my bracelet’s moonstones glowed benignly instead of the more ominous bloodstones, I still didn’t trust Mrs. Girard and Luc, not completely, and not with my Megvéd.
Aidan and I had to tell Mrs. Girard about my connection with Matthew when we’d insisted that he join us. She’d seemed genuinely surprised and not at all pleased that we’d kept it from her. I counted that as a personal victory. My secrets were mine to keep until I was ready to share them. Besides, Mrs. Girard didn’t own me—she didn’t own any of us. She wasn’t even Matthew’s boss anymore; he’d turned in his resignation weeks ago, effective today, the last day of the term.
So he could follow me to the ends of the earth, I supposed. Poor Charlie.
“We still have several more hours until we land,” Aidan said, interrupting my thoughts. “You should try to get some sleep. Dr. Byrne too.”
I glanced over at the window, forgetting that the plane came equipped with permanent blackout shades. There was nothing to see, no indication of the hour outside the window, no view of the night sky or the ocean below.
“I don’t think I could sleep if I tried,” I said, nervously twisting the ring on my finger. Not on a plane full of vampires, even if they were the friendly variety. And not with the unknown danger that lay ahead of us.
Mrs. Girard had prepped us once we’d taken off, filling us in on what was going on. It didn’t sound good—Propagators gathering in Paris, along with leaders from a few Eastern sects who sided with them. The message was clear: Come and get us, if you can.
And so we would, or die trying. I’d agreed to the plan, the price of Aidan’s freedom, so there was no backing out now.
Just freaking great.
At the time, it hadn’t even occurred to me that I was pledging Matthew to the fight too. If something happened to him, if something happened to Aidan—
“It’s going to be okay, Violet,” Matthew said, his steady gaze meeting mine. “I don’t know how, exactly, but we’re going to succeed, okay?”
I sat up straight in my seat, my heart pounding now. “You’ve had a vision!”
He nodded, looking strangely grim. “I’ve seen enough to know we come out safely on the other side of this.”
I took a deep breath, considering his words—and the ones left unspoken. He’d seen more, something bad. That was the way our visions worked. “What else?”
“It doesn’t matter; let’s deal with this threat first.”
“You can’t just—”
“I need more details,” he interrupted. “A replay when I can actually focus on it. There’s time. Just . . . trust me on this.”
From the tone of his voice, it didn’t seem like I had a choice.
“Anyway, Aidan’s right. We should get some sleep.” He set his book on the table in front of him and then retrieved the blanket from the empty seat beside him, unfolding it and laying it across his lap.
“I’ll keep a close eye on everything,” Aidan assured me, reaching for my hand. “I promise.”
“Maybe if I listen to music,” I said, reaching for my cell phone and earbuds.
Aidan leaned toward me, his lips close to my ear. “Remember that song you played me? The one with the slow, marching beat? Try that; I bet it’ll put you right out.”
I shot him a glare. “I love that song.”
“I know you do,” he said with a grin.
“You’re lucky I adore you,” I shot back, then shoved my earbuds in and pressed play.
Not a day goes by that I don’t give thanks that you do, he answered inside my head, drowning out the song’s opening notes. Now go to sleep, love.
I hadn’t thought it possible, but I must have dozed off. The next thing I knew, the landing gear rumbling beneath my feet jolted me awake. The lights in the cabin were low; I had no idea if it was night or day. Across from me, Matthew was still sleeping, his arms folded, his features slack. He looked peaceful, far younger than his years, a shock of dark hair falling across his forehead.
I sat up stiffly, an uncomfortable crick in my neck where I’d been leaning against Aidan’s shoulder. “We’re landing already?” I asked, yawning.