Chapter 101 Forever more

Chapter 101 Forever more


The morning light was gray and dull, filtering through the curtains of the annex like a warning. I was already dressed, my bag slung over my shoulder, when Romeo appeared in the doorway.

"You're not going to school today," he said.

I blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You're not going."

"What are you talking about?” 

"My uncle’s new spy is going to be there. Watching your every move. It's too dangerous."

I stared at him, my heart pounding. "You can't just decide that for me."

"I'm not deciding. I'm telling you."

"I’m old enough to decide that for myself. I’m going to school."

He stepped closer, his jaw tight. "Calliope, please. I can't protect you if you're at school. I can't be there all the time. Kai can't be there all the time. If Faye tries something…” 

"Damien and Marcus were in school and nothing happened to me at least. I’ll be in the company of other students too so I doubt she would risk that and do something. I can’t handle myself."

"Handle yourself? How? She's a werewolf. She's trained. She could…” 

"I don't care." My voice was sharp. "I'm not going to let your uncle or his minion control my life. I'm not going to hide in the annex like a prisoner."

"Calliope…” 

"No." I stepped closer, close enough to feel the heat of him. "I've spent my whole life being told what to do. Being told where to go. Being told who to be. And I'm done. You of all people should know I’m not going to miss school over that."

Romeo stared at me, something raw and desperate in his eyes.

"You don't understand," he said. "If something happens to you…” 

"I think I’ll be fine Romeo. Nothing will happen to me.” 

"Calliope!” 

"I love you, Romeo. But I'm not going to let fear control my life. So please let’s forget about this and I’ll go to school as planned. I’m not missing classes because of Faye.” 

He opened his mouth to argue, then closed it.

"Fine," he said finally. "Go. But I'm not going with you."

"What are you?” 

"I can't." His voice cracked. "I have to wait for Kai anyway. He went to see my uncle."

I stared at him, he looked at me again. Although there were no words spoken between the two of us, the tension and emotions that passed between us spoke louder than any other words. 

"Okay," I said quietly. "I'll see you after school."

I walked out of the annex and didn't look back.

\-———————-

School was strange without Romeo.

Sometimes I’d be in a hallway and see him lurking behind but there was no Romeo lurking this time. Anytime I turned, he wasn’t there. He wasn’t anywhere. He wasn’t in class either. It was a sort of empty feeling without him, especially since we had that argument. 

Ruby found me by my locker.

"Hey," she said. "Where's Romeo? He isn’t coming today?” 

"No. He's not coming today."

"Why?"

"Just... some family stuff. With Kai and all.” 

Ruby raised an eyebrow but didn't push. "Well, he texted me. Asked me to keep an eye on you. He actually demanded that I did."

"He did?"

"Yeah. Said he was worried about you." She paused. "Something going on?"

"Nothing I can't handle."

Ruby studied me for a moment. Then: "Okay. But if you need to talk, remember I’m here. I already know about everything so you don’t have to hide anything from me okay?”

"I know."

She squeezed my arm and walked away.

\-——————

The day crawled by.

I went through the motions, classes, lunch, the endless parade of hallways. Faye was everywhere. She had made more friends in school in a day than I had made all my years going to school. I didn’t know how she did it, but I found it incredible how friendly she was. She didn't approach me, she stayed talking to the popular kids but every once in a while, she would glance at me. And then smile and look away. 

Ruby stuck close, her presence a comfort.

"You look like you're waiting for something bad to happen," she said.

"I am."

"Any idea when it might happen?"

"Nope. No idea when.” 

"Great."

\-——————-

After school, I went home.

I changed out of my school clothes, pulled on a sweater, and made my way to the main house. I was supposed to watch the twins that evening. 

The twins were in the playroom, building a block tower. Emma shrieked when she saw me.

"Cal! You're back!"

"I'm back."

"Help us build!" Ryan held up a block. "It's a castle."

"You guys are six now, aren’t you a little too old for building blocks? Anyway, I’ll help you with a moat."

I sat on the floor and helped them build. Then after we watched cartoons and played some other games. For a few hours, I only thought about the twins and occupying them with what to do or what to play with. 

\-————————

I later saw Romeo that night.

He and Kai had come in together. I watched him intently, studying his face for any signs of what might have happened but nothing. Kai was with him, his expression grim. But they looked good. They looked safe. 

"What happened?" I asked.

Romeo didn't answer. He just pulled me into his arms, holding me tight.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I'm sorry about the things I said earlier. I can’t keep you away from school, it’s not my decision to. I respect your decision and will do everything I can to continue to protect you."

“Thank you. I’m glad you do. I didn’t want to make a big deal about it. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since then. I felt guilty for arguing with you."

"It’s not your fault. You were right. Also, I hate fighting with you."

"Me too."

Kai cleared his throat. "I'm going to go take a shower and leave you two love birds alone. Goodnight."

He disappeared into the night.

\-———————

Romeo fell asleep in my bed.

I lay beside him, watching his face in the dim light. His features were soft, peaceful and the tension finally gone.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "For everything."

He didn't respond.

I closed my eyes and let sleep take me.

\---

The knock came early the next morning.

I woke with a start, my heart pounding. Romeo was still asleep beside me, his arm draped across my naked waist.

I slipped out of bed, pulling on his T-shirt, and stumbled to the door.

"Kai?" I muttered, opening it.

Mrs. Vanderbilt stood in the doorway.

Her eyes swept over me, over the T-shirt, my messy hair, the bed visible behind me. Her face was stone.

"Calliope," she said. "We need to talk."

I froze, my blood running cold.

"Mrs. Vanderbilt—"

"I'll wait in the study." She turned and walked away.