Page 55 of Unleash Hades
I pinched the bridge of my nose, because I knew what was going to happen next. I saw it like a trainwreck, because I had raised Romulus to be a good boy.
“Where are you staying, Lu?” My boy asked.
Remus sat beside him, thumbing through a book about singularity.
“At a quaint little hotel,” he said, playing with the ascot at his throat.
“Why don’t you stay with us?” The excitement in Romulus’ voice was almost contagious. Almost. “Mum, can Lu stay with us? There must be enough rooms, surely?”
I let my cheeks pull on my lips so I couldforcethe smile.
“Of course, darling,” I said, because there was no way to be a good Mum, and tell Bellamy to sod off.
“Absolutely delightful!” Bellamy clapped his hands together with a giggle. “I look forward to it!”
We all settled as the final passengers came aboard. The last few stragglers came in a rush of agitation.
“You should call her,” Bellamy said, looking down at my phone which still hovered over the call button. “She’d love to hear from you.”
“How do you know that?” I said, quietly, so that the boys didn’t hear.
“Because I do.” And that high, melodic voice was back. “I look good, and I know things. That’s my curse.”
He placed the back of his hand on his forehead as if he was about to faint, then smirked at me, humor on his face, even if it wasn't in his eyes.
He then took bright green ear pods from his pocket, bouncing them in his palm.
“Do it,” Bellamy said, with a smile. “You’ll be glad you did.”
Then he plopped the earbuds in, leaned back in his seat, and closed his eyes.
I looked down, knowing we’d only have a few minutes left… so I pressed it. The ringing was fast, and my herat was in my throat.
“Hello?” A frantic voice came from the other end. “Calissandra?C’est toi? Vraiment?”It’s you? Really?
I almost wept.
“Oui, c’est moi. Ça va?” I lowered my voice so that the stream of passengers couldn’t hear - or if they did, they wouldn’t be tempted to snoop.
I didn’t want to linger on the phone. I knew I could explain this call as something for the boys, if Richard ever snooped into it. But I didn’t want to take chances that it was too long. I didn’t want Richard to see it and think that it was a conversation.
“It’s so strange. I’ve often looked at your contact, waiting for that call and now it’s here…” Chloe’s voice filled me with a soft, warm light that I hadn’t felt in a long time. The joys of being an older sister. “I can’t believe it.”
Neither could I.
“We’re going to the house in Leeds,” I told her quickly, staying in French. “And I’m bringing my boys.”
“My nephews?” She answered, and I could hear the smile in her voice. “Oh, gosh. How old are they?”
“Almost eighteen.” Did she understand the significance of that age? Did she… “Romulus wants to meet his aunty.”
There was a quick silence - a moment of dead air that made panic rise to my throat. Maybe she would say no. Then it wouldn’t just disappoint me - I’d be crushed - but it would hurt my sweet boy as well.
“Of course,” Chloe said, her sweet voice breathy. “Does he speak French?”
“Badly,” I laughed. “English is preferred.”
“Aunty Chloe can work on that.”
