His phone rang and he pulled it from his jacket pocket, raising his finger to his lips, reminding me to be quiet. “Yeah?” He listened, then exhaled and hung up. “I have to go. I’m probably going to be busy all afternoon and night.” He got to his feet. “You got any plans?”
“No. I’m just going to hang out. Etoile is meeting the witches, then the vampires and I don’t need to be there.”
“Afraid you might be supper?” Gage grinned.
“Not at all.” I pulled a face. “Maybe a little bit. I’ll probably hang out with Micah and play ‘Which Witch Am I Going To Vote For Tomorrow’?”
“Have fun. Oh, hey, Annalise called. She said to say hi,” Gage told me as he made for the door. “She asked me to look out for you, but I think you’ve got that covered.” He inclined his head towards Micah’s room.
“Looks that way.”
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on between you and Evan? You know, as friends.”
“Are you going to tell me why you and Michelle split up?”
“Nope. Later, Stella.”
“Bye.” I shut the door on him, smiling to myself. At least there was one relationship that was getting back to normal. Knocking on the internal door to Micah’s room, I waited anxiously for him to open it. As he did, he waved me through, the phone pressed to his ear.
“Where’s mine?” he mouthed, pointing at the coffee cup.
“I didn’t go out to get it,” I whispered in return. “Who are you talking to?”
He turned away, listened some more and clicked off. “No one.”
“Whatever.”
“Do you want to play cards?” He pointed to the game of solitaire he had spread out on the desk.
“Will you cheat?”
“Define cheating.”
I shook my hand in exasperation. “Sure. How come you don’t want to circulate?” At his stony face, I frowned. “Are you hiding, or persona non grata?”
“This is a witch conference and I’m not a witch. Besides, it seems easier to protect you in a controlled space.” He picked up the cards, shuffling them into a pile. “Let’s play Go Witch.”
“Is that Go Fish?”
“Yes.”
“Haha. Fine. You deal. And you can tell me if you think Mary Richardson is a killer, or if you think Georgia is the only one who’s got it in her.”
“Not as good as the library theft, but sure. Why not?”
Seven hands later — three wins to me — and my phone rang. I came close to tripping over my own feet in my anticipation to get it, a knot of disappointment hitting me when I saw Etoile‘s name flash onto the screen.
“You were right about the poison in my soup,” she told me. “Lisette Randolph just called to confirm.”
“She had it tested?”
“Yes, and everyone else’s, whether they showed symptoms or not. Only three bowls were contaminated. Mine, Esme’s as we already know, and Mary’s. Matthew hadn’t arrived yet, so we don’t know if he was targeted as well.”
“And Georgia’s?”
“Funny you should ask. No, hers wasn’t contaminated.”
“Don’t you think that’s a little odd? Would she really have poisoned you all and risk having everyone suspect that she’d offed the opposition?”
“I agree.” Etoile fell silent and I heard her moving about, though she didn’t say where she was. “Such a blatant attack would be hard to ignore. Plus, there’s something else that I find odd.”
“What’s that?”
“Your very timely vision.”
I thought about that too. “Do you think I was supposed to have that vision? That something triggered it?”
“I guess, yes. Maybe. I don’t know. I can’t prove it. Only the dishes were taken. All the tables were cleared hours ago, so if there were some kind of magic triggering your vision, we’ll never prove it. Much as I hate to say it, you might be right about Georgia being framed. The evidence of poison suggests each candidate but Georgia was targeted, but that doesn’t mean everyone was meant to consume it.”
“That leaves Mary, who was present, and Matthew who wasn’t.”
“We can count this as an attack on Mary. Matthew has already been attacked,” Etoile pointed out. “The only thing I can say with any certainty right now is that neither Esme Sanchez nor I was responsible.”
“That leaves three candidates and a hotel full of possible suspects.”
“This just gets better and better,” said Etoile. “I have another meeting. Keep Micah with you.”
“And who’s protecting you?” I asked.
“Someone very dangerous indeed.”
FIFTEEN
With the unrest over the poisonings and the increased number of guards appearing throughout the hotel, the beings within were tenser than ever. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who thought two hundred stressed-out supernatural beings was a recipe for disaster. Pleasant as it was to spend time with Daniel, when my presence wasn’t required by Etoile, I had something else playing on my mind — Georgia’s words about the so-called prophecy that I’d previously brushed off as nonsense. It kept haunting my thoughts from the moment I woke this morning. I couldn’t fathom whether it was another one of her head games, or if there was really something more to it. I wouldn’t put it past her to try and play with my mind; after all, the whole Summit seemed to be just another a game to her. As far as she was concerned, I was simply another piece to push around until she got what she came for.
There was one benefit though in thinking about her — it meant Evan wasn’t on my mind every single second. I was now on day nine of wondering why he wasn’t returning my calls.
With the election taking place shortly, and no more news about the talisman’s whereabouts, I made up my mind to find out if there were any truth to Georgia’s speech and if so, what that truth was. Not wanting to alert anyone else to it, in case I put something in motion that I didn’t intend, I made my way to Etoile‘s room. I told Micah where I was going and that he couldn’t come, which he accepted without argument, hoping to catch her before she left for the day’s events. Just as I raised my hand to knock, I hesitated. What if she were entertaining Matthias inside?
To hell with it. I knocked. This was witch business and it took precedence. I felt a flush of shame. Since when did witch business outrank the happiness of my friend? Too late. The door opened and Etoile beckoned me in. Me and the chip on my shoulder entered.
“Where’s your vamp buddy?” I asked, seeing that we were alone.
“Taking his daytime nap,” she told me. “The hotel isn’t sun-proof.”
“So all that stuff about vampires not being able to come out in sunlight is true?”
“Yes. Many of the legends are true.”
“Does he drink blood?”
“Yes.”
I pulled a face. I couldn’t help it. I remembered our old friend, Meg, and how I hadn’t even realised she was a vampire until after she was gone. A couple of years ago, I would probably have laughed at the idea of a discussion such as this. Now it just seemed ordinary. How far things had come! How far had I come?
Etoile stood in front of her closet, surveying her clothing while I pondered this. “I have to dress,” she said. “Should I wear the blue dress or the navy suit?”
“What’s the occasion?”
“Grovelling.”
“Blue dress.”
“Good idea. Gives a gentle impression.”
“I was thinking it gives you good cleavage.”
She laughed. “That won’t hurt.” She pulled the hanger out and laid the dress on the bed, then peered into the dark interior. After a moment, she snapped her fingers and her black heels appeared in her hand. “It would have taken me forever to find them in there, thanks to the forty-eight hours to replace a light bulb policy here,” she complained. “So, is this a social call?”
“Not exactly.”
“Didn’t think so. You have that look on your face. Out with it.”
/>
“I was thinking about what Georgia said after Esme Sanchez died?”
“About this so-called prophecy?” Etoile asked. I asked her about it the same day and she gave me a vacuous look but now she looked interested.
“Yeah. Do you think it’s true? Like, even a little bit?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. I know I don’t trust a lot that comes out of that woman’s mouth.”
“Me either, but… it just sounded like she didn’t mean to say it.”
“Maybe she wanted you to think that. She could be playing with you.”
“That’s what I figured, except… the bit about the prophecy protecting me? She hates me, Etoile, she wouldn’t want me to know about something that could protect me. Not even accidentally. And the bit about the star sisters makes no sense at all.”
“Actually, I had an idea about that.”
“Which bit?”
“The star sisters. Do you know what my name means?”
“No.”
“Star.”
“Like—” I pointed skyward, “—that kind of star?”
“Uh huh. It’s French. Seren has the same meaning, but hers is Welsh. Astra also means star. Greek, I think.”
“So when she said ‘star sisters,’ she really meant you three?” That made sense to me, for the most part. Etoile was sent to be my protector. Seren also acted in a protective capacity, but Astra… I couldn’t fathom that. Astra never protected me.
Etoile picked up the dress and took it into the bathroom. She left the door ajar as she spoke. “What exactly did Georgia say?”
“She said, ‘You think the prophecy will protect you and your star sisters. I don’t think so’.”
“Hmm.”
“Hmm what?”
“She clearly meant you, but she never actually said it was about protecting you and only you,” Etoile called. “That is, I don’t think it means the star sisters will protect you and only you, but more likely, we’re supposed to protect each other. Actually, my mother said something similar last night. I meant to tell you then, but I couldn’t find you. Where were you?”
“I went to the bar with Daniel, Anders and Micah.”
“Oh, okay. Well, when I was thinking about what our names meant, I remembered my mother told me a story about your mom and her when they were younger. I think she was pregnant with Seren at the time. She didn’t tell me exactly what happened, except she said she, your mom and one of their friends cast a spell to protect their children, to help us protect each other.”
“So what does that have to do with anything?”
“Well, we’re not literally sisters. My mom could explain this better. I’m trying to remember what she said.” Etoile stepped out the bathroom. She looked perfect as always and the blue drew the colour of her eyes out, as well as highlighting the creamy tones of her skin. “The spell was supposed to bind us together through our names. Estrella means star in Spanish. Our names connect us. I think we’re the star sisters, you, me, Seren and Astra.”
I sat on the bed heavily. Perhaps Georgia’s comment did have meaning. “Why didn’t your parents tell you about it?”
“I guess they forgot. It’s been close to thirty years since they cast that spell.”
“What about their other friend?”
“I don’t know. Mom didn’t say. If you wanted to ask her about it, I’m sure she won’t mind. I’m kind of curious about it too.”
“Thanks. I‘ll ask. Can I ask you about something else?”
“Sure.”
“What’s going on with you and Matthias?”
She didn’t look at me as she searched for her purse. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve seen him before. Before the Summit.”
She frowned. “You can’t have.”
“Not physically. In your mind, back in Yorkshire, when you let me look inside you. I saw him then.”
“And?”
“I felt sadness and that you loved him. Is that true?”
“Yes, on both counts.”
“So why have you never talked about him?”
“Sometimes it hurts to talk about things so personal.”
I bit my lip at her soft resignation. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s a relief actually. We met ten years ago. I was studying here. He had already been a vampire for some time. I met him in a club.” She smiled at the memory.
“Please tell me he saved you from vicious muggers.”
“You silly romantic.” She laughed. “Actually, I tripped over him and feared he was going to rip my throat out. So I did the best thing I could think of.”
“Which was… run like hell?” I guessed.
“Bought him a martini.”
“Who knew vampires were so easily pleased? Were you old enough to buy alcohol back then?”
Etoile raised a single eyebrow in disbelief. “Seriously? I just told you how an old vampire came this close…” she squeezed her thumb and forefinger together “… to killing me and you ask if I were old enough to buy alcohol?”
“Did you get an olive with it?”
“I don’t think you’re taking this seriously.”
“I am, really,” I assured her. “Tell me about him.”
When she smiled, her eyes were far away like she was back in the bar. “I thought he was fabulous. He knew so much, and had travelled so far. He was impossibly handsome. Still is. One of the perks of living forever.”
“Did you know what he was?”
“Oh yes. And he knew what I was too. When he offered to walk me home that night, I told him if he even tried so much as to bite me, that would be his last moonlight walk.”
“Way to go, Etoile,” I said, impressed at her bravery.
“Thank you. It was a friendship at first, but soon, very soon, he became my lover and I adored him.”
“But he made you sad?”
“Not him, so much.”
“The blood thing?”
“Not that either. More the whole situation.”
“Because he’ll never grow old and time’s racing on for you?” I teased, but there was some truth to my question.
“It’s true that vampires can live forever, providing they don’t get staked or barbecued, but witches can live a long time too. I’m already slowing down. You will too, if you want to.”
“Definite witchy bonus. I think.”
“Anyway, back to me. The relationship was on for a couple of years, then off because I wasn’t sure witches and vampires could mix. Then back on, then off again. When the Council wanted me to do more work for them, Matthias was busy with his travels. Things just didn’t work out. It was passionate one minute, angry the next. He hated how the Council was pulling my life apart and I couldn’t stop them; while I hated that he’d already lived this huge, long life before I was even born. So we… stopped us. We kept in contact, but I didn’t see him again until a few months ago.”
The dates dropped into place. The more frequent trips to New York when she stayed days on end. The dearth of dates with Jay, from Gage’s pack, not that it ever appeared anything remotely serious. My secret boyfriend theory wasn’t so wrong after all.
“Is he part of the reason why you’re running for Leader?” I asked her.
“Yes and no. No, because none of this is about him and me.”
“Not even a little bit?”
“Maybe a tiny bit,” she conceded, “because I already know our races have no problems getting along, given the right incentives. Kitty dates a werewolf. You live with a daemon. A demon guards you. I’ve spent a decade, on and off, with a vampire.”
“And dated a werewolf,” I interjected.
“You kissed one, too,” she pouted.
“Boy, these werewolves get around. Are you sure Kitty is okay at the apartment?”
“Positive. So, as I was saying, if we can get on individually, there are more who can too. I’ve said this before, our races are better off working toge
ther more closely than as separate entities.”
“Is that why Matthias is here?”
“He’s part of the vampire delegation.”
“I’m not going to ask how you requested his backing.”
“I never asked him to stand up when I announced my candidacy. Besides, what happens between us personally has very little to do with the Summit, but it’s good to know what the vampires want. It’s good to know someone in their circle knows me and can vouch for me. Matthias is respected.”
“How do you know Matthew, Mary and Georgia don’t also have someone in their circle? Or in the other camps?”
“I don’t. Nor would I ask.”
“Perhaps you should.”
“I want to win on honesty, not on subterfuge.”
“I don’t care how you beat Georgia,” I told her honestly. “I don’t think I’ll live if she’s elected.”
“Don’t worry about that for now,” Etoile told me. I wished she’d finished with “at all,” but I’d take “for now” even if it didn’t exactly fill me with rainbows, bunnies and other happy feelings. She slipped on her shoes and stood. “How do I look?”
“Great.”
“I thought so too. Walk with me? We’ll pass my parents’ room and you can ask them more about the prophecy. When you’re done, come find me. I’ll be working the room. This is my last chance to solicit votes. Dress up?”
“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
“Oh, honey.”
The Winterstorm parents were finishing breakfast in their room when we arrived. Etoile stayed long enough to say hello before leaving, but they invited me in nevertheless and insisted I joined them for a drink, indicating I should sit with Astra.
“To what do we owe this pleasure?” asked Byron.
“I wanted to ask you something. It’s about my parents.”
“Go on.”
“I heard something about star sisters, and wondered if you knew what it referred to?”
“Star sisters, hmm?” Byron glanced at his wife. “Isn’t that something you and Isadore used to say?”
Laura nodded, her face brightening at the memory. “Gosh, that was a long time ago. I’d almost forgotten but Etoile mentioned it yesterday.”
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