Chapter 17 "Buried Truths"
KELLY
Kelly sat in the university library's archives, surrounded by dusty boxes of old newspapers and church records, trying to ignore the ache in his chest.
Maya sat across from him, scrolling through digital records on her laptop. They'd been at this for hours, searching for anything that might help them understand the curse better.
"Found something," Maya said, turning her laptop. "Church records from October 1906. Listen to this: 'Rosanna Vale, deceased by her own hand, was interred with minimal ceremony as per the wishes of the Ashcroft family. Father Thomas presiding. Notable attendees: none.'"
"No one came to her funeral," Kelly said quietly. "Not one person."
"Gets worse. Look at the death records from the week before." Maya pulled up another scan. "William Ashcroft, age 26, sudden death. Two days later, James Whitmore, age 31, sudden death. Two days after that, Charles Morrison, age 28, sudden death. All within a week. All with the same mysterious circumstances."
"Three men in a week," Kelly muttered. "And then Rosanna killed herself."
"Or was killed," Maya said. "What if it wasn't suicide? What if the Ashcroft family"
"Don't." Kelly shook his head. "We can't start sympathizing with her. Rosanna Vale was a murderer. She's still a murderer. She's using Ember to continue what she started."
"I know, but" Maya bit her lip. "What if the story we've been told isn't the whole truth? What if there's more to it?"
"There's always more to a story. But that doesn't change the facts. Three people are dead now, just like in 1906. And Ember is the weapon."
Maya was quiet for a moment. "Did you see the way Adrian looked at her this morning?"
Kelly's hands tightened on the newspaper he was holding. "What?"
"At The Grind. I saw them through the window when I was walking to class. He looked at her like" Maya paused. "Like she was the only person in the world."
"So?"
"So Adrian is Ashcroft blood. And if Ember if Rosanna if they get too close"
"I know." Kelly's voice was rough. He'd been trying not to think about it. Trying not to imagine Ember and Adrian together, getting closer, falling for each other. Not just because of the curse, but because
Because Kelly had been in love with Ember for almost a year, and she'd never looked at him the way Maya described her looking at Adrian.
"We need to tell him," Maya said. "Warn him. He needs to know what he's risking."
"He won't listen. I've seen the way he looks at her too." Kelly stood, shoving papers back into boxes more forcefully than necessary. "People in love never listen to warnings."
"Kelly"
"I'm fine." He wasn't fine. "Let's just focus on the research. My dad gets back tomorrow. Maybe he'll have answers."
But even as he said it, Kelly knew that the answers wouldn't change anything.
Ember was falling for Adrian.
Adrian was falling for Ember.
And one of them was probably going to die because of it.
MAYA
That evening, Maya found Ember in their room, trying on different outfits and looking frustrated.
"Hot date?" Maya teased, though her stomach was in knots.
"Not until Saturday. But I have no idea what to wear to a basketball game. Is there a dress code? Do people wear team colors? I don't even know what our team colors are." Ember held up two different sweaters. "Which one says 'I'm supporting my date but also I'm not trying too hard'?"
"The blue one." Maya sat on her bed. "Em, can we talk about Adrian?"
Ember's expression immediately became guarded. "What about him?"
"Do you really like him? Like, really?"
"Yes." Ember said it without hesitation. "I know it's fast, and I know I barely know him, but he makes me feel normal, Maya. Like I'm not just the quiet weird girl. He actually wants to spend time with me."
"That's great. It is. I'm happy for you." Maya chose her next words carefully. "But you've been having those episodes. The blackouts, the sleepwalking. What if something happens when you're with him?"
"It won't."
"But what if it does?"
"Then I'll deal with it." Ember's voice was firm. "I'm not going to stop living my life because of some weird sleep issues. I'll see a doctor after midterms. I'll figure it out. But I'm not canceling on Adrian."
Maya wanted to scream. Wanted to tell Ember everything about Rosanna, about the curse, But how could she? Ember would think she was insane...
"Just promise me you'll be careful," Maya said finally. "With everything. With him."
"I promise." Ember smiled. "You don't have to worry so much about me, you know."
But I do, Maya thought. Because you have no idea what's inside you.
EMBER
Friday morning, Ember woke feeling better than she had in days.
No nightmares. No strange dreams. No waking up with dirt under her nails. Just normal, peaceful sleep.
Maybe whatever had been wrong with her was passing. Maybe it had just been stress or a weird virus.
She got ready for class humming to herself, earning a strange look from Maya.
"You're in a good mood," Maya observed.
"I slept well. First time in forever." Ember grabbed her backpack. "Want to get breakfast before class?"
"Can't. I have that thing with Kelly." Maya's expression was odd. "Research project."
"What research project?"
"For psychology. We're partners." Maya wouldn't meet her eyes. "I'll see you later, okay?"
After Maya left, Ember checked her phone. A text from Adrian from twenty minutes ago: Morning! Want to grab lunch after your 12 o'clock? I want to show you something.
What kind of something?
A surprise. You'll like it. Trust me.
Ember smiled. Okay. Meet you at the fountain at 1?
Perfect.
The morning classes dragged. Ember couldn't focus on Victorian poetry or the French Revolution. She kept checking the clock, willing time to move faster.
Finally, 12:50. Ember practically ran to the fountain in the center of campus.
Adrian was already there, holding a paper bag and wearing a mysterious smile.
"What's the surprise?" Ember asked.
"You'll see. Come on." He started walking toward the edge of campus, away from the main buildings.
"Where are we going?"
"Do you trust me?"
Ember didn't even hesitate. "Yes."
Adrian led her through a path she'd never noticed before, past the old library building and through a small grove of trees. And there, hidden behind the trees, was a greenhouse.
"I didn't know this was here," Ember breathed.
"Most people don't. It used to be for the biology department, but they built a new one. This one's technically abandoned, but" Adrian tried the door. It opened. "No one ever locks it."
Inside was magical. Overgrown plants had taken over, creating a small jungle. Sunlight filtered through the dirty glass roof, making everything glow green and gold.
"It's beautiful," Ember whispered.
"I found it last semester when I was trying to avoid people. It's quiet. Private." Adrian set down the paper bag on an old workbench. "I thought you might like it."
"I love it." Ember turned in a slow circle, taking it all in.
"I brought lunch," Adrian said, pulling containers from the bag. "Nothing fancy. Just sandwiches from the deli. But I thought we could eat here. Away from everyone."
They sat on the floor, backs against an old planter, eating sandwiches and talking. Adrian told her about his parents how they'd died, what he remembered about them. Ember told him about losing her parents too, about living with her grandmother.
"We're both orphans," Adrian said softly. "Weird, sad club to be in."
"Very exclusive membership," Ember agreed.
"But we turned out okay. Right?" Adrian looked at her. "I mean, you turned out better than okay."
Ember felt her face heat. "I'm really nothing special."
"That's where you're wrong." Adrian's voice was serious now. "You're smart and kind and you actually listen when people talk. You don't pretend to be something you're not. That's pretty special."
"Adrian"
"Sorry. I'm being weird." He looked away. "I just, I really like spending time with you. I don't want you to think I'm just, that this is just"
"I know," Ember said quietly. "I like spending time with you too."
They sat in comfortable silence, shoulders touching, surrounded by overgrown plants and filtered sunlight.
Ember had never felt more at peace.