Page 38 of What Happened on Roslyn Street?
“Caldwell.” I correct her in a weak voice.
She continues as if I didn’t say anything. “And you did it with me. You can’t even let Poppy’s ghost rest! You just had to pry into that as well?—”
“Stop.” I mean to be firm. Instead, I am begging, my eyes stinging with the threat of tears. “I’m doing thisforPoppy.”
“No, you’re not. She didn’t ask you to do this. She can’t ask you to doanything, Tobey! She’s gone. And instead of accepting that, you’re trying to join her. No one asked you to risk your life. Stop acting like you’re doing something heroic.”
“If we’re not friends,” I say, misty-eyed, “why do you care?”
“Because I’myourfriend. You’re not mine, but I’ve always been yours.”
“That’s not true.” My stomach sinks. “Stop.”
“You weren’t there for me, but I was there for you the whole time. I checked on you at the funeral. I forced myself into this room. I’mhere,and you—you’re so hot and cold. You say we’re friends, and then you talk to me like this. But, you know what? You were a bad friend, not me!”
“I didn’t mean to be a bad friend.I needed space.”
“I know—but I neededyou. I lost Poppy, too, and you were too stubborn to be there for me. And now, because you needme, I’m supposed to forgive you in an instant?”
“It’sreallynot like that…” The words are weak.
I don’t have a better explanation. She doesn’t owe me forgiveness, just like I didn’t after I found the journal.
“Oh, but it is. You need me now. You can’t take care of yourself without my help. Even tonight was risky, but guess what? You weren’talone.”
I draw back. “What are you saying?”
“I was there, watching his everystupidmove. I heard the Dracula talk, and I know all about the brie. You could have brought me some brie, Tobey! I saw itall.”
“That sounds creepy!”
But while I won’t say it to her, it’s what I needed. I shouldn’t have gone alone, even if nothing terrible happened. It could have. Maybe it will next time.
“Itshouldsound like I’m trying to keep you alive,” she says, “but you’ll hear whatever you want to hear.”
“How did you get back before me?”
The answer is obvious, but… she’s right. I’m nosey and prying, and I need to know everything. Of course, Margaux can see right through me. She stares at me with a flat expression, shaking her head.
“Vampires are faster than humans,” she says. “That’s common sense. Don’t pretend to be stupid, we both know you’re not.”
Ifeelstupid. This investigation is making me feel like an idiot. I’m chasing after people who may not be involved, and I’m withdrawing from the one person I may be able to trust.
Maybe.
I press my lips together, eyes cast off to the side, blinking away tears.
“You’re right,” I say weakly.
“Excuse me? Did I hear that? Did you just admitI’mright? And you’re wrong?”
“Margaux…”
The last thing I need is her gloating.
“It’s about time,” she says. “Which part am I right about?”
“I need you,” I say. “I know it doesn’t matter. You don’t owe me anything, and maybe I’m not doing the right thing… but I can’t stand by without avenging Poppy. I can’t keep letting people die.”
