The Cerulean (The Cerulean Duology #1) - Amy Ewing Page 0,77
waves lapping at its shores can tell the future. I have heard that within its forests lies the power to speak to those who are dead. And I believe that these ruins’ walls contain the answer to a secret every man here would sacrifice anything to claim for his own.” He paused for dramatic effect. “The secret to eternal life.”
The men looked at each other uncertainly. Leo felt his own face go blank. Who was this source that told his father all these fantastical stories, and more importantly, how could he possibly believe them?
Hubert Conway was the first to speak up.
“Come now, Xavier,” he said. “These tales you tell are like fairy stories for children. A magic tree? A fountain of youth? You must think us mad to believe a single word you say.”
“I would think you mad if you did not harbor some doubts,” Xavier said calmly. “Which is why I have an offer of proof to show you, right here this very evening. James!” The sound of footsteps could be heard from upstairs. “You all know James Roth. A marvelous actor and the star of my final production. Well, perhaps the star no longer.”
Xavier gestured with a flourish as James led Sera down the staircase and into the drawing room. Leo had not had much to choose from in Agnes’s closet, nor had he considered how Sera might actually look in a formal dress, thinking only of finding the right color so as not to clash with her skin and hair. The gown was quite simple, ivory silk with a pink lace overlay and train. No frills or ruffles, just a golden detail around the bodice and lace sleeves that covered her shoulders. Hattie must have done her hair too, an elegant crown of thick blue curls dotted with pins of pearl and rose quartz.
When he saw her, Leo’s stomach flipped like he’d missed a curb while walking down Creekwater Row.
She was frightened, clearly—he could not blame her for that, being stared at by a bunch of men in an unfamiliar home. He told himself he should stop staring too, but he couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from her; she carried herself with an otherworldly grace, and her skin shone like a silver pearl in the light of the lamps. Leo caught sight of Robert ogling her, and his hands clenched into fists. Robert was known among their friends for his conquests, and Leo had the sudden urge to throw himself in front of Sera, to protect her from Robert’s possessive gaze.
James held her elbow firmly, her arms clasped behind her back; Leo saw the handcuffs hidden in the folds of her skirt as she came level with him, and it made his stomach churn. Two Pembertons shadowed her every movement, hovering just inside the doorway to the drawing room.
There were gasps and murmurs from the men, and more than a few covetous looks.
“What is she?” Mr. Conway demanded.
“She’s marvelous,” Mr. Wilkes said.
“I call her Azure,” Xavier declared. Agnes’s face twisted in distaste at the name. She had her arms folded across her chest, alternately glaring at their father and casting Sera worried glances.
Sera saw his sister and a look passed between them, something Leo didn’t understand, but Agnes gave a tiny shake of her head and Sera responded with a nod. Then she caught sight of Leo and her eyes narrowed. She took a small step away from him. Leo was seized with the impulse to shout that he was sorry, that he hadn’t known what was going to happen when he caught her with the net launcher, that he’d only been thinking of himself and how he might impress his father. He hadn’t thought of her as a person. He hadn’t thought about her at all.
“I think it is time for a demonstration,” Xavier said. “Ezra, if you will.”
Kiernan held up a syringe, showing it off to the crowd like a magician about to perform a trick.
“No, no, please . . .”
The voice caught Leo entirely off guard. It was low and musical and distinctly female. It certainly wasn’t Agnes’s voice, but the only other girl in the room was Sera. That didn’t make sense.
Leo watched, stunned, as Sera spoke again.
“Please don’t do this,” she begged.
What . . . was . . . happening? How was he able to understand her all of a sudden? Maybe everyone else could hear her too. Perhaps his father and Kiernan had figured out—