The MORE Trilogy (106 page)

Caleb said nothing but drew her close, his arms and his gift holding her tightly as Talia left the room and Ava gave in to painful, tortured sobs.

It was strange to think of New Elysia having a morgue. Although logically, Ava understood that people in the city did die—not as often as humans, but eventually it had to happen—it still seemed odd, for some reason. In actuality, the morgue wasn’t like any that Ava had seen on television or in the movies. No walls of stainless steel drawers and toe tags and examination tables. It was a simple room with a simple bed, dimly lit, with a counter along one wall and rows of drawers underneath.

What could you possibly need to store in a room that’s sole purpose was to house death?

Caleb held her hand tightly as Ava walked on shaky legs to the bedside.

Emma’s face wasn’t covered. The sheet was tucked neatly beneath her bare arms, her hands at her sides and her fingers curled slightly into themselves. She looked like she was sleeping. She looked like she was alive, but when Ava closed her eyes and reached out with her gift—she couldn’t resist, had to
know
—there was . . . nothing where Emma used to be. She was gone.

“Do you want me to stay?” Caleb asked quietly. “Do you want to be alone?” He reached out tentatively and touched a strand of her hair.

“Stay, please,” she said on a shaky breath. She touched the spot in the middle of her chest where her pendant hung, beneath it a burn she’d asked Talia not to heal. A reminder. “I’m okay. I just—” She looked down at Emma and touched her cold hand, finally taking it in her own. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I’m sorry.” Ava shook her head.

Sorry for what?

So much, really, but it doesn’t matter anymore, does it?

“I wish things had been different,” she said finally, tears filling her eyes and overflowing when she bowed her head. “I wish we’d had more time. I wish we could have really gotten to know each other. I wish we could have been sisters . . . like you always wanted.” She squeezed Emma’s hand one last time before laying it carefully back on the starched sheet. “Thank you,” she said again.

She led Caleb out of the room and didn’t look back.

Epilogue

One week later
 . . .

The Council chamber was packed as Ava made her way to the seat Caleb was saving near the front. She excused herself, stepping over a half a dozen people, before collapsing next to him.

“Thought you were going to miss it,” he said, throwing an arm over the back of her seat.

“Got caught up with Sophie,” she replied. “She and Isaiah are heading out tomorrow.”

Caleb nodded and squeezed her shoulder once.

It was tough to lose her sister and brother so soon after finding them, but Sophie wanted to get Isaiah back to school. She’d been in touch with his adopted family, and she’d be staying with them while she figured things out.

Ava had wished her luck.

Sophie had said they’d keep in touch and would probably visit over the summer break, and Ava was happy about that. Although she’d been spending some time getting to know her new family, her bond with Sophie had been the strongest. Especially now that Emma was gone.

Emma
.

Ava found it difficult to put her complicated feelings about Emma into words. She’d betrayed her, manipulated her, used her, but in the end, she’d also given her life for her—for them all. Emma hadn’t been perfect. She’d been broken and twisted by their father from birth, but when push had come to shove, her loyalty to Ava and her inner conscience had overridden all those years of manipulation and abusive training.

Ava felt sorry for her. She was grateful to her. She even had to admit she loved her, in a way.

She
missed
her, as strange as that was. The absence of her gift was like an empty space inside Ava. She wondered if it was the same for all the Twelve, or something unique because of their particular bond. Maybe it was simply plain, ordinary loss, and over time, she’d be able to remember Emma without feeling the ache of oncoming tears.

Maybe.

The door at the back of the chamber opened, drawing Ava out of her thoughts.

The Council members filed in and took their place at the table.

Ava smiled when she caught Gideon’s eye as he took Andreas’ vacated seat.

Elections would be held in the fall, but for now, the current Council would oversee the restructuring of the city and of the Law. They had already presided over the trials of the surviving Twelve. Those who had aided in defeating Borré had been pardoned. The others had been imprisoned.

Except for Sloan. With a little encouragement from Isaiah, he had returned to Allenmore to turn himself in. He would plead guilty and accept whatever sentence the human courts handed down for the murder of Officer Simmons. He’d spend thirty or forty years behind bars, his Veil altered to give the illusion of aging. A life sentence was a drop in the bucket for Race, but at least he was eligible for parole. Ava knew, however, even when he was released, he’d never walk free again.

Madeleine cleared her throat, and Ava sat up a little as the Council chamber grew silent.

“For centuries, we, the First Race, have lived according to the Law our forefathers put forth,” she said, her voice ringing out, loud and clear. “We have lived by the credo to aid humanity in whatever way possible but have learned to maintain our secrecy if we are to protect ourselves. Recent events have challenged those ideals and led to an uprising that, if it had succeeded, would have destroyed everything we hold dear.”

Ava saw a few nods, heard a few murmurs.

Madeleine gripped the back of her chair and lifted her chin, always the leader. “Our recent alliance with the Guardians has shown me, and I believe shown you all”—she waved a hand to encompass the crowded room—“that our current mandate regarding Half-Br”—she pursed her lips and shook her head slightly—“regarding Race of
mixed heritage
is outdated and misguided. I believe, and the Council agrees, that the Law must be amended on this issue, and that these people—our brothers and sisters—should be welcomed and trained, taught to use whatever gifts they possess for the good of the Race and of the world as a whole.”

Applause broke out, a few whistles cutting through the cheers as people jumped to their feet.

Madeleine waited, a small smile on her face, until she lifted a hand to quiet them. “In addition, we believe that secrecy might no longer always be in the best interest of the Race,” she said. “Humans are growing, learning, some are quite”—she caught Ava’s eye—“impressive. We believe there may be situations where revealing ourselves to certain trustworthy and carefully vetted humans may prove valuable, especially when it comes to seeking out Rogues and others who may wish ill on our people—human and Race alike.

“Over the coming months, the Council, along with a special committee, will be creating an amendment to the Law addressing these issues, to be put to the Race—the
entire
Race—for a vote in the fall.” Madeleine swept the room with a soft look. “I hope—I pray—that you will consider these things carefully as you consider your vote. The future of our people is changing. I believe it will be for the better if we all work together.” She locked eyes with Gideon, her cheeks pinking slightly as the room erupted in loud applause and cheers once again.

“Well, that was interesting,” Ava said once the Council had filed out and they made their way toward the doors.

Caleb shrugged. “It’s what we expected. She said what she told us she would.”

“Not that.” Ava took his hand. “I mean the little moment between your mom and dad.”

“Moment?” He glanced back over his shoulder at the empty Council table. “You think?”

“Oh, there was
definitely
a moment,” she said with a nod, stepping outside as Caleb held the door open. “Think about it. Everybody’s told me how the bond is forever. They obviously still feel it—still love each other—and now there’s nothing really standing in their way.”

“Except themselves,” Caleb said, throwing an arm over her shoulders. “Decades of stubbornness are hard to get past.”

Ava slipped her hands under his coat to hold him around the waist. “Oh, I think they’ll figure it out,” she said. “You’ve always said I should trust my intuition, and I have a definite feeling about those two.” She didn’t imagine the slight smile lifting Caleb’s lips.

She was about to suggest they find a quiet corner to talk—and
things
—when her phone buzzed in her pocket. She smiled at the caller ID. “It’s my mom,” she said, pressing the connect button. “Hey, Mom. Was the flight okay?”

“Bumpy as all get out the last hour, but we got here in one piece,” she replied. “Did Lucy make it back to school?”

“Katherine drove her herself,” Ava said, swinging Caleb’s hand joined with hers between them. “She should get back to Allenmore sometime tomorrow night.”

“Good, that’s good.” She paused, and Ava was about to end the call when she asked, “Will you be home for the Fourth of July?”

“Uh . . . I’m not sure yet.”

“We’re planning a family barbecue, and I thought maybe we could celebrate your birthday at the same time,” her mom said in a rush of words. “I already talked to Grandma and Auntie Kay, and it looks like the whole family’s coming. I know they’d all love to meet Caleb.”

Caleb snorted, and she nudged him with her elbow.

“Not really sure what we’ve got planned yet—”

“Oh, come on, now. Surely you two could get away for a long weekend?” Sarah tutted reproachfully. “The family hasn’t seen you in
months
, Ava.”

“I’ve been kind of busy, you know, saving the world and stuff,” she mumbled.

“Not by yourself, sweetie. I don’t care what kind of superpowers you have, there’s no need to get cocky.”

Caleb burst out laughing.

“I’ve really got to go, Mom,” Ava said. “We’ll try to make it for the Fourth, okay?” When Caleb raised his eyebrows at her and prodded her with an elbow, she sighed. “We’ll definitely be there.”

“I knew I liked that boy for a reason,” Sarah said.

“Hey! How do you know it was him?”

“A mother knows,” Sarah said, like a wise old sage.

Ava found it irritating and a little bit endearing.

“Talk to you soon, sweetie.”

“Bye, Mom. Love to Dad.” She hung up and glared at Caleb. “I think my mom likes you better than me.”

He smirked. “Can you blame her?”

She pushed him away but moved closer a second later. She scanned the thinning crowd. “Have you seen Tiernan lately? I haven’t talked to him for days.”

“He was in the meeting, but he left before it was over,” Caleb replied.

Ava frowned. “Maybe Evan can help me find him.”

“Ava, leave it alone.” Caleb pulled her close. “He probably just needs some time to himself.”

She pulled free and turned back toward the central building. “I only want to check on him.”

“Tiernan can take care of himself.”

“I know that. I just . . . we’ve been through a lot together, you know? I want to make sure he’s okay.” She looked up at Caleb hopefully, and after a minute, he pulled her close and kissed her gently.

“I’ll find you later, okay?” he said.

“Yeah. Okay.”

It took some doing, but Ava found Tiernan just outside the city, seated on a boulder on a rise overlooking the valley.