Page 78 of The Lies We Conjure
In answer, they look to Winter. “We came in from the terrace and she was just here and… can we have this conversation away from here?”
It’s a question but their voice frays and they stand, backing away. The Cerise twins and Blackgates part to let them through as Sanguine puts a motherly hand to their shoulder. Infinity doesn’t acknowledge Sanguine’s attempt at placating them, just slips away from the woman’s hand.
We follow their lead.
At first, I expect them to seek fresh air on the terrace, but instead they lead us into the hall and to the suite they shared with Luna. We file in silently as they sway on their feet, buffered by Winter.
“Do you need to sit?” Lavinia asks, hands reaching out as if to help.
Infinity shakes their head fiercely, their brown cheeks slick with tears under eyes rimmed crimson. Their gaze snags on her bloodied arm. “What happened to you?”
Lavinia shrugs it off, clearly not wanting to pull focus from Luna. “Just a cut that bled too much.”
Winter rounds on her, suspicion in her eyes. “A cut? Or a defensive wound, because we all know Luna wouldn’t have gone without a fight. Let me see that—”
“She got it with me, Win,” Evander barges in, twisting enough to show the coated back of his jersey. All four Cerises have noticed, called like a shark to the mess, but they stand apart, across the room. Evander makes eye contact with each and every one of them, the message clear—don’t you dare. Then, he says to the group at large, “Unrelated. And unimportant right now. Infinity?”
Infinity nods, effectively calling off Winter, whose nostrils flare as she watches the four of us, questions loading on her lips. The youngest Starwood—the only Starwood—slips from Winter’s steadying hand and begins pacing in short bursts in front of the darkened hearth. I snap my fingers to light this one too.
We spread ourselves around the sitting room, waiting as they walk in a tight line before the flue, the rising fire casting their dark skin in burnished light with each step and turn. They seem steadier now, somehow. Gaining balance with each footfall.
“Let’s start at the beginning,” Winter suggests, sounding much calmer than I feel. “What happened when you left the driveway this morning?”
The question settles into the air, and I shake my head when my older cousin glances my way. Now isn’t the time for Evander—or Hector, for that matter—to show off their leadership skills. Winter and Infinity have always been as close as far as the High Families go. Best that she asks the questions.
Infinity blinks at her, throat bobbing, and pauses at the turn of their next round of pacing. They lean into the far wall and gaze down into the middle distance of the flames as the rest of us watch and wait.
It takes a moment, but Infinity’s voice comes in stops and starts, then, their tone worn.
“Grandmama was hungry, so we went to the solarium. She picked out two croissants, I made her a second cup of coffee, and walkedher over to her favorite place to sit.” Their face breaks into something of a sad smile as a new jag of tears spills down and they press a trembling hand to sop them up. They lean harder into the wall. “It’s the right height for her knees.”
Winter nods, gently. She doesn’t goad, she just waits, and it’s both a relief and a testament to how much everyone here respects Luna that no one prods them further, letting the story unravel at its needed pace.
“Then she kissed me on the cheek, told me to keep my wits about me, and reiterated for at least the third time that she wanted to have supper in our room so that I could brief her about the day’s search if no master had been found.”
No-nonsense matriarch Luna, finding her preferred spot and sticking to it until her grandchild arrived with a field report—that was exactly what would be expected from her.
“I confirmed and… and then you walked into the room.” Infinity looks up, finding Winter. They seem to sink into the wall at their back as they press a palm right over their heart. “We left for the grounds. We were gone… what… five hours? Six? And then we walked in and… and she was…”
Their voice trails off into a series of panicked, shallow gasps. Winter steps forward and places both hands on their shoulders. “Take deep breaths. Infinity. Look at me—”
“I… just… no.” Infinity gapes at all of us, shrugging themself loose of Winter. Their dark eyes land on each and every one of us, tears smearing out the lined corners. “Why is no one imprisoned by Ursula’s magic?”
My stomach clenches.
Ursula’s spell should mean her murderer is trapped in a pressurized prison. It should’ve been automatic, day or night.
And yet we’re all accounted for. Every last one of us.
We were all out on the grounds when this murder likely occurred. In pairs, and in the case of the Cerises, a whole family unit. It’s possible every single person in this room did it, and it’s possible every single person in this room has an alibi.
“Why—whodidthis to her? Why?Why would any of you do this? Who did this?”
Infinity’s soft accusation is now a shouting one, and the answers are incomplete and braided together as what they’re saying hits like a tidal wave.
“I—”
“No—”
