Maybe this is what she genuinely remembers.
It wouldn’t be the first time.
She doesn’t have an accurate memory of the masquerade ball, when Rafe compelled her to stir up all that drama. She did an artful job. And when that job was done, he nearly disposed of her. I shudder at the memory—Lainey standing on a chair, a rope tied around her neck in the music room. But afterward, she didn’t remember it. Has this happened again? Has her memory beenconveniently altered? Does she truly think she took off with Rafe?
The first bell rings.
A student slips into the art room.
“I can’t be late to class,“ Lainey says. “My mom has made it clear that if I step one more toe out of line, she’s shipping me off to live with my father, who runs a literal Boot Camp. Look, Selah, I know we haven’t exactly gotten along these past few weeks, and that’s on me. You tried to warn me and I didn’t listen. I should have never fallen for Rafe. It was a totally idiotic thing to do, but I promise, I’m not going to be an idiot any longer. You don’t have to worry. I’ve learned my lesson. Rafe is a loser and I want nothing to do with him.” She gives my shoulder a squeeze. “I’ve really got to go.”
I stand there, dumbfounded as she steps around me and heads back to the main hallway.
I call after her. “Where is he, then?”
She stops. “Who?”
“Rafe.” If she left him,wheredid she leave him?
And what about Ivy?
She shrugs, like she hasn’t the faintest idea. “Hopefully, far away from here.” With that, she pivots on her heel and turns out of sight.
8
A PLANE TO CATCH
The Bronco idles in front of the gate as it opens with a groan. Dad didn’t need his car today, so he let me drive myself to school. I grip the steering wheel—frustrated, cold, and tired. Today’s visit to Mistress Bramble’s was no more successful than yesterday’s. Jude wasn’t at school for the second day in a row. Lainey continues to play dumb. And I hardly slept last night.
On the few occasions I did manage to nod off, I slipped into the same dream over and over again—my mother, running through the woods. Me, chasing her with a pack of rabid hounds. Every time she fell, I would gasp awake, then spend the next hour checking my inbox for a reply from Megan Carlisle or staring at the sour creamcontainer in my windowsill, willing something to grow.
I pull to a stop in front of the carriage house and stare at the sprawling manor.
She was in that house, my mother.
She went into the Overlay with Simon.
Why did I have that vision when I touched the seed?
Was it real?
Something moves in my periphery.
I glance toward the patio and do a giant double take.
It’s Jude, standing from one of the chairs.
My mood lifts considerably.
I turn off the car and climb out of the Bronco. “Hey,” I say with a smile.
“Hey,” he says in reply.
I step into his waiting arms and gaze up at him. It feels like it’s been weeks, when really, it’s only been two days. “Are you on the mend?”
“I don’t think I’m contagious.” He gives me a half-smile, his right cheek dimpling as he gently pulls a burr from my hair. “Where have you been?”
“Talenwah Run.”
