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“They aren’t both your husbands?” Sylvia asked, feeling slightly numb. So many secrets. So many lies. She could feel herself shutting down. It was that or curling into the fetal position in a corner of the room.
All three of her brothers looked at her like she’d grown a second head.
“Sylvia, can you tell me what day it is?” Walt stood and reached under her chin so he could look into her eyes.
“I’m fine, Walt.”
“Maybe you’re concussed, and we didn’t notice because we were so focused on your hand.”
Juliette cleared her throat. “Your sister’s question is perfectly normal. I do have two husbands; however, Sebastian isn’t one of them.”
Sylvia noticed Juliette and Sebastian exchange a brief borderline horrified look, like just the idea of being married to each other was hilarious.
“Oh good, they’re crazy people,” Oscar said.
Langston’s brows had gone up. “Maybe y’all better start at the beginning.”
“An excellent suggestion,” Juliette said. “What I’m about to say may sound fantastical. It’s one of the reasons that Franco is here. He can provide you with historical context and evidence for what I’m about to tell you.”
Oscar, Langston, and Walt had their full attention on her.
“I am a member of a secret society.”
Oscar slumped. “Crazy people. Called it.”
“Like the Masons?” Langston asked.
“Well, they’re hardly a secret, are they?” Juliette said. “This is a society that is truly a secret. The only people who know are our members, and our enemies. The punishment for revealing our secrets is harsh, which is why it is a secret.”
“Then why are you telling us?” Walt asked.
Juliette considered him. “We have worked to shape the nation since its founding. You are currently in a safe house that belongs to us, to the Trinity Masters.”
She’d said “the nation,” making it sound like she was talking about America, but the Masters’ Admiralty was in Europe.
And she’d said Trinity Masters.
And she was a member, and an American.
Sylvia glanced at Hugo, confused. “You called it something else.” Whoever Juliette was, she must have messed up the details.
“That answers one of my questions for you. I wasn’t sure if they would have told you anything, or at least anything that was true.” Juliette’s words were calm, kind. “I suspect Dr. Marchand has told you about the Masters’ Admiralty.”
Oscar scowled. “Maybe we can argue about what to call it after you tell us what the hell it is.”
Juliette didn’t take offense at Oscar’s impatience. In fact, she seemed amused by it. Sylvia figured that in a different situation, she’d probably like this woman.
“You have older brothers?” Sylvia asked.
“One, and that is more than enough,” Juliette answered, giving her a look that said she understood Sylvia completely when it came to annoying siblings.
They shared a brief smile, but the moment of amusement was gone. The tension radiating off Lancelot and Hugo was palpable.
“I will admit, we’d hoped to introduce you to our society in a different manner, different setting. Unfortunately,” she looked at Lancelot, “our hand has been forced.”
Walt was looking from Juliette to Lancelot. “They’re members of your secret club, too?”
Sylvia waited for Lancelot to say yes, but he was silent.
