Page 188 of Pervade London
He sighed deeply. “Every student is about to be placed under surveillance by them. We can’t stop it. Only monitor their actions.”
“When will I see you again?”
He shook his head, letting me know I wouldn’t get an answer.
I peered at the house, hoping Xavier was at least still inside. “I’m sorry.”
He took my hand and brought it to his lips, kissing my fingers tenderly.
“My mum’s sacrifice…that she would never hear me play,” I continued softly. “I could have been a dancer. Could have studied anything other than music. I could have chosen something she could have enjoyed.”
“Her happiness comes from seeing you happy.”
“I just threw it all away.”
“British lives are sacrificed every day for a greater purpose, Emily. You’ve joined the ranks of heroes who put their own dreams on hold to make the world a better place.”
“Me? How?”
“Mikhail’s phone.” He gave a firm nod. “You just changed the course of history.”
I let out an uneasy breath. “Do you think you could have ever loved me?”
He squeezed his eyes shut and said, “Xavier is my sky and you are my stars. I don’t want it to end.” He started to say something else and then stopped himself.
Resting my forehead against his arm, I tried to breathe through these final heart wrenching moments.
James’ tone became formal once more. “Return to school and behave as normal. Don’t conduct any online searches. Don’t visit any of the places we took you to.”
“I promise to never speak of us. Or about any of it.”
He gave me a somewhat skeptical smile, but I saw kindness as well.
Tears stung my eyes like acid, but I refused to let them fall.
“It’s time, Emily,” he said quietly.
I got out of the car and walked towards the house, feeling like my life-force was being stripped away. With his aura still enveloping me, I made my way up the walkway to the front door.
I turned the key and stepped inside, hearing the car drive away.
The stillness within these walls was deafening.
I strolled from room to room looking for Xavier.
Finally entering the sitting room, I collapsed on the couch. Closing my eyes, I let the grief consume me, my throat burning in agony in my effort to hold back the bitter tears I wanted to shed over the loss of him—ofthem.
I’d believed these two men had captured my heart and were keeping it prisoner. But all this time it had been music that had truly owned my soul—and I both loved and hated the muse for it.
Staring down at my hands, I tried to remember what had happened to the Stradivarius, as though my mind was protecting me from the memory.
The hope of happiness had always been an illusion.
My beloved Xavier was gone.
Two Weeks Later
Iset my violin case on the stone step and rose to stand on the outer edge of Trafalgar Square’s fountain.
