The Fading Dusk
Page 25
“Between that and my wages as a soldier, I’ve managed to save up quite a bit of money.”
Now he was just being mean. I chewed my lip. “I don’t understand, Leonid.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver key hanging on a thin, dark blue ribbon. “With Bantheir dead, the landlord would throw you out and move in new tenants. Before that could happen, I paid him a considerable amount of money to buy the building.” Leonid placed the key in my hand. “And now I’m giving it to you. No more renting; it’s yours forever, Lark.”
“Leonid…” I was speechless. It was like a dream come true; I wouldn’t have to leave! “But… why?”
“I knew how much you loved it; I could tell the day we came here, searching for the Essence. To rip you from it—I could never do that. Besides,” Leonid said, cocking his head sideways. “I’m homeless too, remember.”
He was right. The prison had been severely damaged; it would be months before it was restored. And I knew Leonid would rather sleep in the streets than go back to his parents’ mansion.
I blinked. “Wait. Are you suggesting we live together?”
He flashed me a mischievous smile. That one, I decided, was my favorite. It made him appear boyish and easygoing. Why had I ever referred to him as Captain Grimace?
Leonid grabbed me by the waist, pulling me close again. I squealed but made no effort to pull away. “Why, Lark,” he said in my ear, his voice going low and throaty, “don’t you trust me?”
“Oh boy, there he goes already! And on the street, no less!”
We pulled away to see Elyse and Vernen standing five feet from us, large bags slung over their backs.
Leonid scowled darkly. I took one look at the expression on his face and murmured, “Oh, that’s why.”
He shot me a questioning look.
I waved a hand. “Never mind. What are you two doing here?” I asked Elyse.
She beamed and held up her bag. “Isn’t it obvious? We’re moving in!” Vernen nodded in silent agreement. “Parn asked us to,” Elyse continued as my mouth dropped open, oblivious to my shock. “And we both said yes, because we know how Leonid is!”
My gaze slid to Leonid. Funny, but I knew exactly what she meant. The tips of his ears went red as he muttered, “Apparently no one thinks I’m trustworthy.”
“That’s because you’re not!” Elyse declared with a hoot of laughter. Leonid advanced toward her and she darted away, squealing.
Vernen shot me an apologetic look before dropping his gaze to the ground. “Sorry, Irina.” It would take some time getting used to this newer, quieter Vernen, but to have him standing there, alive and whole once again, with only a pink scar running across his throat as a reminder of what had happened? My encounter with Jaegger, my conflict with Parnaby—it was all worth it, if it meant having Vernen back.
I threw my arms around him. It only took Vernen a moment to react, and then he hugged back, squeezing gently. “Don’t be!” I told him. A warm rush of gratitude washed over me. “This is wonderful! I’m really, really happy.”
Leonid paused in chasing Elyse. “You are?”
I was. So much had happened since I’d been arrested. I’d learned about friendship and love, about life and death. I’d changed—we all had—but I knew it was for the better.
As I prepared to mount the stairs, I paused, resting my good hand on the railing. Getting over the loss of Bantheir—the good, gentle man I thought I’d known—would be difficult and take time, I knew that. But at least I had my friends to guide me through the dark days ahead.
I slid the key into the lock, listening to the familiar click as I unlocked the door. My hand turned the doorknob, and the door creaked opened, revealing the darkened foyer inside. There was so much to do—good, healthy distractions that would take my mind off what had happened, and what I’d done.
Leonid slipped up behind me, wrapping his arms around me. “This is good? I probably should have asked you first, but I wanted to surprise you.”
I covered his hands with mine. “It’s good, Leonid. It’s perfect.”
A smile lit his face. He squeezed me tightly to him as he planted a soft kiss on the top of my head. Hand-in-hand, we entered our home, Elyse and Vernen behind us. My friends’ voices filled my home in a way I’d never experienced before, turning it from just a building into something more, something warmer. It had always been just me and Bantheir, cooking a meal together, reading a novel together, practicing magic shows together...
Magic… The word soured my stomach, made my throat tight and uncomfortable like a bitter poison. I had always loved it, embraced it, but now I knew the truth:
The magic was real—and I despised it.
I’m very lucky to have such supportive people in my life. None of my books would exist on your bookshelf or your e-reader if it wasn’t for these people cheering me along. Thank you to everyone, especially:
Mom and Dad, for reading (and enjoying!) everything I throw your way. Thank you for always making time for both me and my stories. Your love is the best kind of magic.
Amy McNulty, who read this story while I was still struggling with it and offered invaluable insight to help me fix all of the problem areas. It’s always nice to have someone else believe in your story as much as you do, and I’m incredibly lucky that person also happens to be my best friend. Thank you for encouraging me to go forward with this project, for reading it a second time and offering even more insight, and for answering my billion and one emails.
Regina Wamba, for designing a cover I can’t stop looking at. You captured the essence of Dusk perfectly, and I can’t wait to see what you come up with for book two!
Merritt Sloan, for the beautiful lark and the amazing and awesome map of Dusk. I’ve always wanted to publish a book with a map, and the hard work and detail you put into it blew me away. It’s a billion times better than any sketches I came up, as you saw from the one I sent you originally.
Theresa Paolo, for your emails earlier this year. I had to make some very important decisions in the beginning of 2015, and your support helped guide me in the right direction.
Margaret Walk, for always being such a supportive friend. I can always count on you to answer my insane texts, no matter when I send them. I can’t wait to see you in September!
Molly, my book best friend. Now that we survived the hellish winter, we WILL see each other this year and do bookish things together!
Sam, my other book best friend. Even though life has thrown you many hurdles, you continue to support me and my books. I heart you, always.
My wonderful readers who gobble up my books the moment they come out, especially Aurelia, Chalyss, Ellie May, Erin, Jachira and Kami. Your comments, tweets, messages, and reviews keep me going, and I’m very excited to hear what you think about the Smoke and Mirrors series!
My current and past coworkers, especially (Cackling) Shannon, Kaila, Justin, Dom, Don, and George. So grateful for your support!
My family, for always asking how the books are going. Especially to Kim, one of my youngest and biggest fans. I hope you love this book, too!
All the authors who have written stories that have inspired me to write my own.
And all the readers, both new and old, who picked up this book and gave it a chance.
See you in book two!
Melissa Giorgio is a native New Yorker who graduated from Queens College with a degree in English. She's always dreamed of being a writer and has been creating stories (mostly in her head) since she was a little girl. Also an avid reader, Melissa loves to devour thick YA novels. When not reading or writing, she enjoys watching animated films, listening to music by her favorite Japanese boy band, or exploring Manhattan. She is also the author of the Silver Moon Saga.