“Is that a bad thing?” I ask innocently.
“Most days no,” he says. He holds a hand to me, keeping hiseyes locked on mine, even as I keep my hand between my legs. “But today, we have a lot to do.”
“Like?” I ask.
“You need to educate your clan on our plan for the sunwalker spell,” he says. His hand doesn’t falter, even as I glare at it like it’s a serpent. “AndIneed to go back to the Day Realm. Henry’s been covering for me, but I need to make an appearance before Mama sends out a search party.”
A sour twist punches through my gut.
It’s not that I forgot our reality. It’s that I hoped it would stay away, if only for a while longer.
“I’ll be back,” he says. “I won’t be long. I’ll just need to treat Mama, and I should at least stop by the center to make?—”
“Your mama,” I interrupt. All at once, pieces fall into place, and I feel like a fool for not realizing it myself. “She’s the one who’s sick.”
It’s not a question, but any doubt is washed away when Elliot swallows. For the first time, his attention shifts away from me. His jaw tightens as he looks over the displayed memories.
“I’m sorry, Elliot,” I say, surprised at how much I mean it. Maybe I don’t care for his mama, but Elliot’s affection for her has never been a question. Vampires killed his father before he was born, so that woman is the only family he has. To know he might lose her…
“I’m figuring it out,” he says quietly.
“Does she know?” I ask. “About the blood?”
It’s hard to imagine the infamous Madam Lyrie approving something as vile as a vampire blood treatment. When Elliot doesn’t answer, it’s answer enough.
“I’m sorry,” I say again. Two words have never felt so useless.
“Yeah, me too,” he says on an exhale. With another deep breath, he looks back to me. There’s nothing guarded in his expression. I can see it all: the sadness, the disappointment, therage. And encompassing it all, the determination. “She thinks the Mother is punishing her for the sun curse. I’m hoping the sunwalker spell might change things. If the death stops, then maybe…”
He trails off, glancing away.
“The Mother will show mercy?” I guess.
“Yeah.” He nods. Then, looking back to me, he adds, “I know it sounds stupid.”
“It doesn’t,” I say. I don’t think it will work, but it doesn’t sound stupid. “Do you think she’ll agree?”
“No.” He shakes his head and sits on the edge of the bed. His hand spans the width of my waist, and his thumb moves in small, rhythmic strokes. “I’m hoping it works anyway. I’m not going to ask for her blessing. This disease, this punishment, is going to kill her unless I do something. Unless I convince the Mother to spare her.”
I struggle for something more to say. It’s been years since I’ve honored the Mother. I’m not sure I even believe in Her, but from what I remember, She wasn’t the forgiving type. If Madam Lyrie’s affliction is truly from the Mother, the sunwalker spells won’t change a thing.
When Elliot’s head hangs, chin dropping toward his chest, I move to straddle his lap. I may not know what to say or how to help, but I can be here with him. I rest my head against his chest, relieved when his arms wrap around me. A hoarse sob breaks from his throat, and I lean into him, praying I am enough to hold him together.
26
THE SHARPEST OF GLASS
ELLIOT
By the time I step off the tram, it’s nearly noon. Mama won’t be expecting me, but she’ll have to make time. I won’t be able to make our planned visit tomorrow. I’ll be too busy trying to single-handedly save her life.
“Here to see Madam Lyrie?”
I blink, bringing Vera into focus. As usual, she’s sitting at her primly organized desk, staring up at me from behind her large glasses. Her curly hair is shorter than usual. It makes her look older, more proper. I’m sure it’s exactly what she was hoping for.
“Yes,” I say. My voice cracks, and I try to disguise it with a cough. I’m certain I don’t succeed.
“Let me see if she’s available,” Vera says. She pushes from her seat, swishing past me with a flare of her knee length skirt.
