Requiem of the Soul (The Society Trilogy #1) - Natasha Knight Page 0,94
if she saw us in here. If she saw what he did. No, that’s not possible. She was out near the courtyard, but maybe she guessed.
“Oh.”
“I repaired the tear.” She clears her throat as if just realizing how awkward this conversation is about to get. “I can bring it to you. I mean, if you want it.”
“You repaired it?”
“I like to sew, and it was such a pretty veil. It was a shame not to.”
“Thank you.” I’m not sure honestly that I want it back, but I do want a friend. I could use one, and she seems nice. And a little like me, maybe.
“Should you be home, Colette? I mean,” I start, looking at her stomach, “you don’t look very comfortable.”
She smiles and shrugs a shoulder. “Jackson likes these gatherings, so well, I’ll be fine.”
“Jackson is your husband?”
“Yes. Jackson van der Smit.”
“I don’t know the name. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. You’re not one of…I mean, Mr. De La Rosa chose…” She breaks off. “That’s all coming out wrong.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I say, realizing she means to say I’m not from one of the upper-echelon families. I guess she must be to know.
“I just meant you couldn’t know. I didn’t mean to sound arrogant. I mean, I hate that whole thing.”
“It’s okay. You didn’t sound arrogant.”
She does something unexpected then. She turns to squarely face me and takes my hands into hers. “Are you doing okay, Ivy?”
Her question makes me want to cry. Makes me wish I’d kept my mask on. I pull my hands away and shift my gaze down.
“I know it’s hard at first,” she continues when I don’t answer. “All their requirements and The Society, and well, it gets easier.”
“Does it? I’m not so sure for me.” I can’t help the tear that slips out, but she doesn’t comment when I wipe it away.
She takes my hand again. “You know I don’t live too far from you. Jackson’s family home is just a few miles away. I mean, if you come over, you’ll have to deal with his grandmother.” She makes a face, and again, I wonder how old she is. “She’s a mean old witch, I swear.”
I have to laugh at how she says it.
“I’ll talk to Jackson if you like, and he can talk to your husband, and then maybe you can come over for a visit.”
“I’d really like that.” Again, I have to wipe away tears. How pathetic is your life when a stranger’s kindness makes you cry? And how much more pathetic that two grown women need to ask permission of their husbands to have a visit?
A gong goes off then and Colette gasps, looking at the diamond-encrusted watch on her delicate wrist. “Shoot! That’s dinner. We’d better go. They’ll miss us now.” She adjusts her mask and stands, a sense of urgency about her.
I stand too and put my mask to my face. She helps me to tie it.
“It really will get better.” She takes my hand and squeezes it before releasing it once we get to the door. “I promise.”
I smile and am grateful again for the mask.
“Colette, there you are,” a man says, and Colette gives my hand one more squeeze before hurrying to him.
The moment she’s gone, I hear the sound of Mercedes’s laughter coming from behind me, and I don’t bother to turn around to confirm it’s her. Instead, I hurry to find a bathroom because I’m sure Santiago is looking for me by now too, and I need a new place to hide away for a little while.
33
Santiago
Angelo removes a flask from his jacket pocket, taking a drink before he offers it to me. When I smell the smoked scotch, I help myself as well before returning it to him.
"I didn't expect your visit to last so long," I say. "Have you been here all this time?"
"No." He shakes his head. "I have been up North, gathering information. Which is what brings me to my visit. I have some accounts I'd like you to look over. I need to know who opened them. There is no one else I trust."
"You never have to ask," I assure him. "My loyalty is never in question. Provide me the details, and I will trace everything I can."
He nods stiffly. "I will deliver them to you personally before my flight leaves at sunrise."
"I take it you won't be staying for tonight's events then?"
He scans the room, shaking his head. "No. I just came here to see you."