Eternal Symphony

18. The Matriarch

Elijah escorted Alice through his family's stupendous fairy-tale-lovely library with a vaulted glass ceiling covered in twisted vines—tangled leaf and limb—shielding the sunlight from entering the grand room. Spiral staircases writhed around tall bookshelves in the corners of the library, the massive wide windows lined with velvet seats, closed shutters inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

Lia was already there with Mrs. Badeaux, indifferent to the treasured apartment; Alice's admiration of Elijah's literary collection was far greater than her sister's. When Alice heard a soft meow, she saw Luna relaxed and bundled on a nearby chair, purring with her eyes half-closed. Lia's voice broke Alice's trance: "There you are. I've been waiting for you." Surprised to see Elijah and Alice together, Lia immediately stood up from her heavy, white, cushioned seat. "What's going on? I thought he was still in France."

"I came back a day early," Elijah explained again, "I also wanted to extend the invitation for you two to stay for dinner."

"No way," Lia said decidedly, then looked at Alice. "We'll be on our way. Right, Alice?"

Alice bit her bottom lip, contemplating accepting Elijah's offer. "I would very much like to stay and greet his father, who happens to be the chancellor of Stanford University. It wouldn't hurt for him to meet me face-to-face." It wasn't a complete lie, but Alice also wanted to privately confront Elijah about his sudden departure: she deserved answers. However, judging from Elijah's wide grin, she suspected she was playing right into his hands.

Lia stepped to the door and asked Alice to follow her so the two could speak secretly. "Are you sure? After trying to get over him—"

"It's nothing like that. I already promised I wouldn't let myself get hurt again." Alice's eyes darted to Elijah, who spoke with Mrs. Badeaux about having an addition at their dinner party. "Besides, I deserve resolution, and I need to know where he and I stand going forward. I won't be the one to grovel. You know I'm stronger than that."

Lia rubbed the side of her neck. "I know you are. You've always been headstrong." She looked over her shoulder and sighed. "I don't want to stay here if I don't have to. Would you be fine if I left for a while and came to pick you up later?"

"Sure, but what would you do?"

Lia pulled her phone out of her pocket and waved it in Alice's face. "I'll hang out with my friends for a few hours. Anything other than a fancy house party. I can't stand it, and besides, I feel creeped out being here for some reason."

Alice almost wanted to laugh at the irony, for being in a household of elite vampires would make most people uncomfortable. She agreed, and Lia said, "I'll still be somewhere in town in case you need me," and followed Mrs. Badeaux towards the front doors.

Luna meowed and stood up with an arched back when Alice approached with an extended hand. Elijah, however, started browsing through his collection after removing his cloak and draping it over a nearby chair. "I hope you've been well. Father told me you excelled in your semester finals, as he's been closely watching your academic prowess."

When Luna moved over, Alice sat beside her, and Luna sprawled over her lap, the cat's loose fur camouflaged by her dress. "I have, and thank you. I'm surprised your father cares that much about me."

"You're one of Stanford's star pupils. Of course, he cares. You're an investment." Elijah paused before adding, "I've also shared my opinions of you."

Please, don't. Alice swallowed hard, wanting to change the subject. "Where are the twins now, if you don't mind me asking?"

"They're with Father talking about the trip and getting ready for dinner."

Another awkward silence between them, but Alice's question burned, for she desperately wanted to know the reason for his departure. She was unaware when Elijah approached her with open arms, but she said, "No, stop. Why did you really leave?"