Take the Key and Lock Her Up (Embassy Row #3)(82)

“Here you are!” Rosie’s voice carries on the wind. Then she turns and shouts back to Germany. “She’s up here!”

And soon Rosie and Noah and Megan are climbing onto the wall and taking a place beside me. A moment later, Lila’s here, too, with Jamie following behind. He’s not as strong as he was, not as fast. But when my brother smiles and throws back his head and laughs at something Lila is saying, he’s more golden than the sun, and that feels right. Perfect. We sit with our legs thrown over the high balustrades that were made to shelter archers and lookouts and guards.

But we are the lookouts now, and our battle is over.

Only Megan dares to break the silence. “Hey, Grace, how’s Thomas?”

“I don’t know,” I admit. “His mom’s gone and his dad is king.” Thomas saved my life, but he changed his world, and I know better than anyone how far and how fast those ghosts can chase you. “I don’t think anyone knows how Thomas is and probably won’t for a really long time.”

“Uh … about that.” Rosie actually stumbles. I never thought I’d hear timidity in her voice, but she sounds almost afraid as she admits, “He and I … talk. Sometimes.”

Now it’s Noah’s turn to laugh as he turns to Rosie and raises an eyebrow.

“What?” She shrugs. “People like me. I am very likeable. And he’s kind of freaked out because … well, because of everything. And also because his dad wants him to be more in touch with the people from now on, so he’s going to start at the international school tomorrow.”

“Just like Gracie,” Alexei says, taking hold of my hand.

I hope the world never knows exactly how much Thomas and I have in common. I hope Thomas never knows, either. Maybe his ghosts will stay locked up in the middle of nowhere. I wish for him only the very best kinds of crazy.

Ms. Chancellor is inside, returning phone calls and briefing my grandpa, who is back to work part-time. I have a school uniform laid out on my bed. A stack of brand-new notebooks and pens. This is my new normal, and I know I’m supposed to eat something, start getting ready for bed. But I’ve spent so much of my life looking back that I can’t waste this chance to look forward for just a little while longer.

The sun is at the horizon now, and the sky streaks with reds and golds. The whole world seems to be wearing a halo, and for a second I let myself savor it.

I let myself believe.

Alexei’s arm is warm around my shoulders and a cool breeze blows in off the sea. Between us, we speak seven different languages, but not a one of us says a word.

We sit in silence as the sun sets, marking the end of the day.

Marking the beginning of everything else.