Chapter Eighteen
Eric Hewlett
Bizzy is an absolute vision tonight.
For a packed party, she stands out easily. It took an extreme amount of discipline to leave her side when we arrived. It actually ticked me off. Not that I can voice why I had to.
Just another instance where being part of the House of Eights feels like a sentence rather than any kind of honor. Once I slipped away from Dr. Fraine, the search was on for a painting we believe may have symbols to decode.
Earlier I’d looked like a madman racing down one hall, then another. Twice I got turned around while searching rooms, only to find most doors locked.
I’ll call it a sign that our evening can get back on track as the band starts playing With or Without You. I smile down at Biz, taking her hand. “Our song.”
God Almighty, she’s everything.
Holding her close, my head resting on top of hers, I softly sing the lyrics with my eyes shut. We sway, tightly holding each other as the rest of the room falls away.
One of her hands strokes my back as everyone else in the room disappears. She sighs, “It’s hard to stay mad at you.”
“I’m sorry, Biz. You know how long-winded Dr. Fraine can be. I tried to break away sooner. I…” I pull back to look down at her. “I’m not leaving your side for the rest of the night. I’ll even stand outside the bathroom waiting for you.”
Rolling her eyes at me, she snorts. “I don’t need you velcroed to me. But I wouldn’t mind you groveling later.” Oh, that’s right. She’d told me her roommate, Amy, won't be home.
“I’ll beg for your forgiveness in the very best way I know how.” Winking at her, she playfully slaps my chest. I’d be happy to ditch the rest of the evening for time alone together.
But the House dictates otherwise.
Every member is in attendance tonight; each assigned a different task. But God help me, I couldn’t care less.
A painting, a riddle, dreams that could have been spurred on by all the garbage fed to us over the years… a lifetime membership tethering me to an endless mystery.
All I truly want is Biz. To build a life and family together, get to the Olympics, and then settle into something quieter.
For my closest friends, Aaron, JJ, Rob, I hope they find happiness too.
That they are able to leave some of the things the Eights set into motion, things that could be seen as… unsavory, unjust… even sinister.
If an “out” presented itself from the Eights… short of death, I’d jump at it.
But the same line keeps echoing in my head from the decoded message… “Sacrifice the one… sacrifice the one…”
Let justice be done-though the heavens fall.
Part of the pledge oath, the only one that resonated within me when we stood shoulder to shoulder at our induction ceremony.
I’ve started to contemplate what it would mean to lay down my life for the salvation of everyone I love. I know if I’m called, I can do it.
I’d do it for Bizzy alone.
Elizabeth Blessing Housman is the love of my life, a phrase I would’ve laughed at before knowing her.
Staring at her in my arms, a blush spreading across her cheeks, the twinkle in her eyes, the radiant goodness that seems to shine from within her.
My heart clenches in my chest, emotion overwhelming me.
Yes. One hundred times over, yes. I’ll protect her until my dying breath.
Aaron clears his throat, tugging on the sleeve of my suit jacket. “Fraine needs to see you again.”
Immediately, Bizzy’s arms drop. Agitation flashes across her face as she turns away from us.
No. Damn it, no.
I’m not abandoning her at this party again. “Could you tell him I’ll stop by his office next week?”
The glare Biz is leveling at Aaron only makes this more complicated.
It’s not like she understands the dynamics of our relationship as it is, often thinking Aaron pushes me around.
The truth is, we’re both bending under the pressure of the House of Eights.
He’s just louder about it. Obnoxious, even.
More than once, I’ve suspected his behavior is more than entertainment for him. But when I’ve called him on it, he just laughs at me.
“You want me to tell him?” He lets out a deep breath. “...huh… are you sure?” He doesn’t move, looking between Biz and me. “He’ll enjoy hearing that.”
As he pushes past the others on the dance floor, Bizzy moves closer, taking one of my hands. The look of relief, the way she pulls me back in… it’s all I need to confirm that I did the right thing.
I’ll always pick her over the Eights. Damn any consequence.
By the time the band takes a break and we leave the dance floor, Bizzy appears lighter, happier. We find our seats at a large round table with a tall, elegant centerpiece where Henry Tullis, JJ, and Cora Amherst are deep in conversation.
“...but, like, who summers in Switzerland anyway? Doesn’t make any sense to me,” Cora tosses her hair back dramatically. “Ask Aaron what his plans are. His family has summer homes in, like, fifteen countries.”
Her snobbishness isn’t noteworthy, but the conversation is. Switzerland was going to be a last resort.
JJ leans over to whisper in Bizzy’s ear.
I try to pay more attention to Cora’s babbling, but I’m worried JJ will let something slip. He’s always been soft when it comes to her.
Trying to catch his eye, I purposely knock his silverware to the floor.
Grabbing his wrist when he reaches down at the same time, I whisper, “You can’t tell her anything. Not a thing about this.”
He bites his lip before whispering back, “She could help us figure this out. No one we know is more invested in The Divines.”
“No.” My voice is stern as I keep hold of his wrist. “Not a word. Remember Jennifer? We’re not going to put her life at risk. All it would take is the wrong person finding out. JJ, I mean it.”
I’m not totally convinced he’ll let this go. But as we both sit back up in our seats, he stares at me for a few seconds before nodding in agreement.
He may act lackadaisical at times, but JJ isn’t careless.
Taking her hand, I lead Biz down the steps to the waiting car, Aaron following behind with a worried look on his face. He cornered me before we left, telling me Birman found something. We’ll bring it to Fraine tomorrow.
My night was clouded with House business. Bizzy’s painting garnered the most attention and the highest amount donated among the student offerings. But my mood must be affecting her; she politely smiled and became quiet.
I wish I could restart the night. The hunt we were on for answers casts a shadow over everything.
Aaron is seated across from us, intently watching. He nudges my shoe with his, a slight tilt of his head. I see Biz slip a piece of paper into her small, beaded handbag.
“Everything alright?” I ask, brushing her hair back.
“Huh?” She looks at me, biting her lip. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
Nothing feels fine right now.