Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X, #1)(61)

Geraki chuckled. “I heard that too. Amazing how he pulled that off.”

“He didn’t request it.” Tessa knew that much at least about Justin and Mae’s odd relationship. “I think it just happened to him.”

“Things ‘just happen’ to him a lot, and he doesn’t even realize it. Or, if he does, he thinks it’s all due to his cleverness.” Geraki sighed and shook his head. “I tell you, the ravens are wasted on him, but who am I to dictate to higher powers?”

Tessa was growing increasingly panicked. “Look, Mr. Geraki—”

“Just Geraki, please.”

“Geraki, I have to go.” She prayed he wouldn’t try to stop her. Surely the neighbor would do something if she screamed. “Maybe you can call him.”

Geraki’s lips twisted into a half smile. “I’m not sure he’d take my calls. Still, I’ll leave you to your affairs. Tell him I said hello. And ask him why his employers have gone on a hiring spree.” He swept her a gallant bow. “It was lovely meeting you. I’m sure our paths will cross again.”

And with that, he stuffed his hands into his jeans pockets and strolled away, whistling as he walked. Tessa watched him for a few moments and then hurried inside, locking the door.

Cynthia and Quentin arrived within the hour, making Tessa feel a lot safer. She hesitated to tell Cynthia about Geraki without first speaking to Justin. Besides, Cynthia wanted to hear all about Tessa’s experience at school. When Tessa finished her generously edited report, she found Cynthia had had her own academic experience.

“I had my first class.” She didn’t seem entirely pleased about that. “I’ve been trying to make this work for four years, and then my big bad brother waves his hand and gets me in within four days.”

Tessa had heard pieces of this story before but never understood the full thing. “At…the university?”

“Yup.” Cynthia opened up the pantry and began adding up dinner options.

With the way Cynthia oscillated between kind and prickly, Tessa always hesitated to solicit personal information. Curiosity won out this time. “Don’t people usually go to college earlier?” She’d nearly said “younger” but thought that would be rude.

Cynthia snorted and dumped a bag of vegetables onto a cutting board. “They do.” She glanced briefly toward the living room, where Quentin was watching a show. “And they usually put their kids in national day care while getting an education. But I had an unusual husband who wanted me to stay home until Quentin went to primary school.”

Tessa forgot about Geraki. She’d never heard the story of Cynthia’s husband, only that he had died when Quentin was very young.

“In retrospect, it wasn’t a bad thing.” Cynthia’s expression softened a little. “I liked being home with him. But it meant I missed my window. Do you know how it works? Higher education is covered up to a certain age. Peter told me it was okay, that when he finished law school and Quentin started primaries, we’d have enough to pay out of pocket for my degree.” She paused. “But then Peter died.”

“I…I’m sorry.”

Cynthia’s face was very still as she spoke. “It was a car accident. Now, don’t freak out—they’re pretty rare. But they happen. And when everything was settled, it turned out Peter hadn’t actually been saving the money he said. He’d spent a lot of time gambling after his classes. I just can’t seem to escape that.” She chopped a carrot with particular force. “Anyway, it didn’t matter. I didn’t want to do anything but mourn, and Justin told me not to worry, you know—in that way of his. He said he’d support us and send me to school when I was ready. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen.”

That was a surprise. Tessa couldn’t imagine him backing out of a promise like that. “Why not?” she asked.

“Because he suddenly dropped off the face of the earth—and all the money dried up. And so, I was left waitressing and petitioning for a special grant.” She looked up at Tessa and waved her knife, using it to punctuate her words. “You want my advice? Don’t listen to the promises of men, even ones who mean well. Take care of yourself.”

Tessa decided then that it was a good time to do homework.

Justin came back late again. Quentin had gone to bed, but Cynthia was still up, watching a movie with Tessa. He had the same worn-out look he had each night and repeated his usual ritual, flouncing back into the armchair with a bottle of beer. Cynthia looked over at him with disapproval.

“Why do you drink that stuff? It’s overpriced and doesn’t even taste that good. You’re such a label whore.”

“Nice to see you too,” he said. He turned to Tessa. “Let’s hear from you. Tell me something that’s not going to stress me out. How was your first day?”

Tessa hesitated, not sure how to start. Justin had been regarding her with a lazy smile but suddenly snapped to attention. “What happened?”

“Someone came by today. Someone…” She frowned, thinking back to the bizarre encounter outside. “Someone who says he’s a friend of yours.”

Justin’s eyebrows rose. “Yeah? Someone from the university?”

“I don’t think so. His name’s Geraki.”