Chapter 51 Gideon
Gideon
Manet: Just a reminder that this buyer is nervous. If you are so much as a minute late, they will disappear. You’ll never get this chance again. Do not disappoint them. Or me.
Even if my precious car doesn’t survive this trip, it will be worth it. I can’t believe édouard found the collar. If this turns out to be the real thing, I am giving him a finder’s fee. Maybe his own unicorn. We can breed unicorns, right? I’ll ask Sinead.
Arabella will be floored. For once in my life, I’ll have done the right thing.
The magic in my blood whispers and dances.
Countryside fades into village as I enter Grimdale. My map blinks neon colours at me, directing me to the meeting place beside the old Victorian graveyard. I’m pulling into the parking lot with two minutes to spare when my phone beeps. A voice message from Winnie.
I hit the button to listen.
“Gideon, are you at Sanctus? Arabella was supposed to hang out at Black Crag with me, Celeste and Dora, but she sent this odd message saying that we were supposed to come to her house to help her with the program, but she’s decided to do it herself instead.
None of that’s true. I wondered if she’s fobbing us off to hang out with you.
Are you two back together? Have you given her so many bloodsinthes that she can’t concoct a decent lie? Call me back when you get this.”
I listen to the message again, trying to understand. Why would Arabella tell her friends not to come over when she’d already made plans to see them?
Unless… is she sneaking off for an amorous liaison with some hot, eligible Upyr she hasn’t told her friends about? Someone rich and connected who doesn’t break her heart and steal from her and—
Wait a second.
My fingers tremble as I dial Winnie. The moment she picks up, I blurt out, “Tell me exactly what Arabella said.”
“Gideon?” Winnie laughs. “Good. Maybe you can tell Alaric that he absolutely shouldn’t join Celeste on one of her fossil-hunting expeditions. The last thing this castle needs is an entire wing filled with Alaric’s interesting rocks—”
“Winnie, this is important. I need you to repeat exactly what Arabella said.”
“Hang on, I’ll play you the message.”
Arabella’s sultry voice plays through the phone. The sound of it clenches my heart.
“Hello, ladies. I know you were all coming over tonight to help me organise the program for the variety show. But I’ve decided to do it on my own. That’s the only way it will be done right. I’ll see you all at the next book club meeting, okay?”
Oh no.
“Winnie,” I hiss. “Arabella’s in trouble.
Don’t you see? Arabella says that she asked you all to help her.
But when has Arabella ever asked for help?
She would never. She has to do everything herself because it’s the only way she feels safe.
” I close my eyes, trying to force down the panic.
“She’s trying to tell us that she needs help. ”