Crossroads (Crossroads Academy #1)
Page 37
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“Katia?”
It’s Lissette who answers the phone. I’m disappointed. I’d wanted to speak with Aldo. I need to ask him about the stuff Keegan told me. I can’t very well ask Lissette such things. “Yes, Lissette. It’s me.”
“Darling! It’s so good to hear your voice. I feel like we haven’t talked in forever.”
“I know. I can’t wait to see you and Aldo over the holidays. When will you be arriving at Crossroads?
“Bad news, Katia.” She sounds deflated. This can’t be good. “The Council has been unusually active the last few weeks. I’ve barely seen Aldo myself. He’s been travelling a lot and plans to visit each of the Elders personally before the end of the year. We’ll be there for the New Year’s Eve ball, but I don’t think we’re going to make it in time for Christmas. I’m so sorry.”
She sounds disappointed. Lissette probably wanted us all to spend the holiday together as much as I did. Mentally I run through the home locations of the other twelve Elders: New York, L.A., Rio, Cairo, Beijing, Milan, Athens, Berlin, Paris, London, Tokyo, and Saint Petersburg. Yes, Aldo would be quite busy. I wonder what is so pressing that personal visits are required.
“Don’t worry about it,” I tell Lissette, trying to hide my own disappointment. “We’ll be together soon enough.”
“I’m so looking forward to it,” she tells me, her voice perking up. “Did you get my surprise?”
“I did, thank you. I should have called sooner. The gown is beautiful. Anya has excellent taste as it turns out.”
“Good! I can’t wait to see you in it. The boys will be beside themselves.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I say smiling. That is so Lissette. Of course her first concern is my love life or, rather, lack thereof.
“Have you met anyone?” she asks. Lissette is an open book. It’s difficult for her to understand my need for detachment or privacy.
“No one special. Is Aldo around? I’d like to say hello to him before I get back to studying.”
“No. He left yesterday for a meeting with the Paris coven.”
It seems my questions will have to wait.