Well, that awfulness is over with. I still have the entire student body thinking I’m entertaining Salvatore’s attentions, whether enthusiastically or under coercion, but if we ignore each other at school, the gossip might die down quickly.
Dad doesn’t say anything to me until we’re in the car. Heputs up the privacy screen between us and the chauffeur and looks over at me.
His expression is so weary my stomach twists.
“What’s all this really about, Elodie?” he asks.
Guilt wraps around my gut as I feign more confusion. “What do you mean? Like I told Headmaster Pembrooke, there’s nothing going on.”
“If the Cosgrave kid hasn’t been bothering you, then whoever claimed you two were together was stirring up trouble. Did you clash with someone else at school?”
Shit on a sphinx. Of course he’d be worried about my relations with the other elite family heirs who attend Luminary.
Pissing them off could be just as disastrous as getting on the syndicates’ bad side, just with different kinds of consequences.
In this one thing, I can be mostly honest. It’s better for him to know about the petty squabble than to have to fret about the bigger picture.
I lean back in my seat. “I’m pretty sure it’s someone I know from my classes. Lower ranked and resenting that I’m doing better than her.” That’s my best guess for Cadance’s motivations beyond basic sadism. “It’s the same kind of jockeying for power I’m sure you’ve had to deal with your whole life. It shouldn’t affect anything outside of school.”
Dad’s expression stays tight. “It could, though. You should know that. Your classmates talk to their parents, word gets around—an association with the Cosgraves, even if it’s untrue…”
He lets out a rough breath. “I hope you can make peace with this girl. For your whole life, you’re going to face resentment because of the advantages you’ve had—we need to be as gracious and understanding as we can in order to maintain the higher ground in a squabble.”
Even thoughIdidn’t grow up with those advantages, Iknow he’s right. The Devines are one of the most prominent families even at Luminary. It means people suck up to us, but it also means it’s easy for us to look like villains if someone less powerful but still respected raises a complaint.
No one would say as much outright, but I can only imagine how the rumblings could grow and work against Dad, Aunt Daphne… and whatever life I hope to continue having here.
Was it a mistake to make those testing jabs that probably provoked Cadance weeks ago, however well she hid her anger at the time? It isn’t as if my gambit revealed anything about the people out to murder me.
I don’t really know how to navigate this level of lucent society, with all the pressures and subtle maneuverings that come with the benefits.
I don’t give a flying fuck what happens to my grandparents Devine, who can choke on their Rolls Royce as far as I’m concerned, but what if I screw up Dad’s life by being here and flapping my metaphorical butterfly wings?
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I force my voice to come out steady. “I realize that. I’ll extend an olive branch.”
His tone softens. “Good. That’s the way to do it. And if she escalates her animosity beyond a petty squabble, we’ll deal with the situation more forcefully. It’s all about knowing when to simmer things down and when to show your strength.”
I nod, not at all comforted. I’m not sure I can count on knowing the difference—or being all that good at the simmering down part.
Should I be trying harder to fully patch things up with Stella? Making nice with the twins in case they’re hiding their own resentment?
Probably. But before I can even start to strategize, my phone vibrates with an incoming message.
It’s probably Salvatore, wanting to know if I’m okay. I’m sure he’s heard about the rumors too.
All of my matches must have. To my surprise, when I hurry up to my bedroom and pull out my phone in private, the message that’s popped up is from Cole instead. A group missive to the other four of us in our union.
We clearly have a lot to talk about. My house, 8pm. Come concealed.
My stomach knots. I tap out a quick reply in agreement and set down my phone.
I change out of my school uniform into a casual designer dress that seems appropriate for an Other Elodie hangout. When the timing’s right, I poke my head into my dad’s home office.
“I’m going to get started on the peace-making now. Heading out to hang with a bunch of the girls from school and set a new tone going forward.”
Dad’s proud smile sends a jab of guilt through my abdomen. “That’s the spirit. Just—still stay on your guard while you’re out there.”
“Always.”
