Chapter Thirty-Nine
Amelie
As Dirk says the words ‘great niece’, my whole world crumbles around me. He’s just another person who knew, another person who didn’t tell me.
Needing air, my lungs tight and the room shrinking in size under everyone’s scrutiny, I do what I always do: run and hide.
I don’t know if I can do this. Join The Order knowing that I’m surrounded by liars who have hurt me. I have family. A whole new family I knew nothing about. I can’t handle that.
What was I thinking, assuming that I could?
I pump my legs through the corridors of the Manor House, looking for an exit, hoping no one follows me. I took the nearest one, and it’s brought me out around the back of the damn house, so I’m lost.
Relaxing when I see a friendly face, I slow and approach Baxter with a shaky smile. He’s leaning against an expensive looking tapestry, smoking.
“Hey,” I call, panting and slowing to catch my breath.
“Running again?” He smirks.
“Fuck off. Dirk Kessler just told the world that he’s my great uncle, but didn’t think to give me a heads up.”
“He probably assumed you knew. You had Debbie’s birth certificate; it has the name Kessler on it.”
“Well excuse me for being overwhelmed by the news of discovering my real mother!” I cry hotly. “Of course I overlooked the connection to some old dude I only met a couple of times! And even if I did realise he was a relative, maybe I wasn’t ready for the world to know!”
“Whatever, Amelie. You need to grow up and stop being such a goddamn drama queen. Boo-hoo, you have shitty parents. Look around, everyone here does.”
I shrink back as if slapped by the venom in Baxter’s words.
“Why are you being like this?”
“Don’t you get it? You’re in! Congratufuckinglations. The Order owns your ass now. This isn’t a game or a hobby or even a nine day wonder! There’s only one way out and it’s your funeral.”
“What choice did I have?” I hiss back at him. “No, really. Tell me, what else I could have done to get answers.”
“I offered! I begged you to come away with me.”
“But I would still be in the dark!” I cry. “If we ran, would you spill all their secrets?”
“Amelie—”
“There you go.” I sigh. “Excuse me, I need some space.”
I push past him, heading towards the French doors at the end of the corridor. Behind me, I hear him curse, but when I look over my shoulder he’s tossing his cigarette butt into a silver vase, and stalking back towards the ballroom.
Jeesh, what crawled up his ass and died? Why does he even care what I do?
Fresh air hits my face and I take deep, calming breaths. If I can just be left alone for twenty minutes or so, I’ll be fine. I just need a break.
Who am I kidding? Kalen will be so far up my ass it isn’t funny.
I can hear him calling my name. I can’t lie and say I hate the attention he gives me, but right now I need to get away. I’m glad I wore combat boots tonight.
I race down the stairs, taking in lungful’s of that bitterly cold air, glad for once for the biting, bracing temperature. Hearing Kalen getting closer, I dart for the sanctuary of the trees, oblivious to everything behind me.