Page 4 of The Swan Syndicate
Something told Stella, AJ and Finn might have an inkling of what was going on. She should have known Maire wouldn’t be able to keep a secret from AJ, and while she should be mad, she was grateful someone else had dropped the bombshell. Now, all Stella had to do was pick her way through the remaining shards of AJ’s anger.
It wasn’t that she’d been scared to tell her. It was that AJ would harp every day until they left about how dangerous it could be, that they wouldn’t know what they would be walking into, and all the worrisome things AJ had dealt with when everyone was chasing the stones. Those days were over. Most of the stones were in this century now as wasThe Book of Stones. But still, best friends shouldn’t keep these types of secrets.
All eyes turned to her as she walked through the entry to the kitchen. She took a step back, but Beckworth was right behind her, blocking a quick exit.
“The beans have been spilled,” AJ growled. “You might as well sit your ass down and explain what the hell the two of you are thinking.”
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Stella didn’t move, thrown off by AJ’s tone more than her words. Beckworth pushed past her with the pies and placed the Marionberry in front of AJ and the strawberry by Maire. Stella’s gaze snapped to Finn. He held his practiced poker face, which was no help in sensing the mood of the room. Maire’s focus was on the pie—strawberries were her favorite—but she couldn’t stop a small grin. Stella wasn’t sure if the smile was for the pie or a reaction to AJ’s outburst. Ethan’s expression was as stoic as Finn’s.
So, she glanced at Sebastian. He was a monk who normally had very little to say but wore his thoughts on his face or, more accurately, in his eyes. And they were currently shining with mirth, which eased her shoulders that had risen toward her ears.
AJ was bound to be irritated, and it wouldn’t be the first time it had been directed at Stella. She would have her misgivings about their plan to go back, but it was obvious AJ was more hurt by the fact everyone else appeared to know before she did. Her best friend should have been the first one Stella told.
“You think pie is a fair apology.” AJ eyed the pie as she said it, her gaze shifting toward the fork in the place settings that hadbeen laid out for dinner. She might be pissed off, but she had a thing for Donna’s pies, and Marionberry was her favorite.
Stella would have words with Beckworth later, but it was obvious he’d planned ahead to butter up AJ with support from Maire. One thing about him, he was as good at strategizing as Finn and Ethan were and knew how to mold a situation to his advantage. In other words, a manipulator when it suited him. And now was an excellent time to play off his thoughtfulness. He did all of this for her, after all.
“Some news is better when heard among friends.” Stella made her way to the coffee pot, poured the last remaining dregs into a cup, then started a new pot. She swallowed the remnants then turned to the table where all eyes were still on her.
“Oh, for god’s sake, let’s just get to it. Yes, Teddy asked if I was interested in going back to Waverly for a New Year’s celebration. We should make it in time to invite Hensley and Mary so they can stop on their way to London for the season. What’s wrong with that?”
“You make it sound like you’re just taking a drive down the coast to see friends.” AJ pushed the pie aside, though it was still within easy reach.
“Except for the trip through the fog,” Maire chimed in, “and the gut-wrenching pain, it’s really nothing more than that.”
AJ gave Maire a look that clearly stated she didn’t need that kind of help. “You’re betting everything on the fact you won’t have a problem with the stones. What if… I don’t know.” She searched around the room as if chasing her thoughts. “What if you lost both rings? You’d be stuck there forever.”
Everyone chuckled, and AJ had to smile at the absurdity.
“I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to use the stones as a constant doorway to the past.” Finn ran a finger over the table, following a wood grain. “But I think we’ve proven that the travel has become more reliable. And yes, there’s always a chance the two stonescould be lost, but if they don’t come back within a reasonable allotted time, Ethan has a stone, and we have the Heart Stone, which gives us what we need to go find them.”
Stella hadn’t been prepared for Finn’s support, but perhaps he liked the idea of being able to go back in time to see old friends. She sat at the table, pulled over a stack of napkins, and began creating an origami swan. She’d learned the art several years before during a self-improvement phase. Of the dozen courses she’d taken, none of them stuck except for origami.
It had become a joke between her and Beckworth. Whether it had been while they were on the run from Gemini’s man or when the game changed to pursue Gemini and her gang, he always made sure she had paper to make her swans.
AJ turned to Sebastian, who’d been following along even as he turned pages in whatever ancient text he’d found at an estate sale. Being a man of the nineteenth century, he had been fascinated by the idea of estate sales. AJ was an antiques broker and liked to hit the sales early on the first day before all the good stuff was gone. She always took Sebastian with her. Sometimes Maire went along, but she wasn’t as fond of the outings. Stella thought it was more that she preferred to wait and see what Sebastian brought home for her.
“Sebastian,” AJ started with an even tone. “I know you gave the two stones to Stella and Beckworth in the hopes they’d find each other in one of their time periods, but you can’t be in favor of them going back just for a holiday gathering.”
He set his book aside and glanced at the group, taking a moment to study each person before moving to the next. His odd behavior used to make Stella fidget until she remembered he was a monk. He didn’t read expressions; he looked deep inside and read a person’s soul. That was creepy as hell, but at the same time, it was peaceful.
“I haven’t been in this time period for very long, but there seems to be risks just crossing one of your city streets.” Sebastian chuckled. “Though I must say, having been in London several times in my life, the risk is greater getting hit by a wagon or carriage in the narrow streets of the city by drivers with little regard to another’s life. I suppose that’s not the best analogy for sending someone back in time, but Maire and I have had many discussions about the stones and the latest set of incantations. If Stella and Beckworth use the correct incantations, I don’t see a problem.” His fingers played at the edges of an envelope he’d been using as a bookmark. “I must admit, I’m curious to know what’s happening back home and hoped they’d take a letter back with them. Hensley said he’d stay in touch with the monastery.”
“And before you ask,” Ethan piped in as the only one who hadn’t provided his opinion. “I do side with AJ on it being an unnecessary risk. At the same time, I haven’t left anything behind except good friends, which was difficult enough. If the earl were still alive, I would want to go back. Beckworth has left more behind than Finn, Maire, or I.” He took Maire’s hand. “We’re making a fine life here. But I understand Beckworth’s need to spend time at Waverly. I doubt this will be their only trip. Once he finds his calling here, he won’t have as much need to return to Waverly.” He glanced at Beckworth. “Just my opinion, mate.”
Beckworth shrugged. “We could debate all evening as to my motives for returning to Waverly. But that isn’t the point of the conversation. Stella and I discussed it thoroughly, and we’re in agreement.” He smiled at Stella. “Unless she’s changed her mind.”
Stella focused on the swan, doing her best to ignore the entire discussion. She knew the conversation would devolve into the whys and why-nots. It was her own fault. She should have told AJ days ago, but the discomfort she sensed in the room lessened.Beckworth’s solution was working. And she was such a chicken shit.
“I haven’t changed my mind.” Stella set down the swan. “We did agree. And we’ve spoken with Sebastian and Maire several times regarding the risks. They’re minimal. Safer than air travel.”
Finn barked out a laugh, and AJ snickered.
“Fine.” AJ pulled the pie back. “I should know better than argue the merits of time travel with Maire or Sebastian. If you want to jump back, feel like your guts are being ripped out, and then toss your cookies, by all means, have a wonderful time.” She turned her attention to Finn. “Get the plates. I need pie.”
AJ strolled around Stella’s bedroom, picking up a knickknack, dusting it off, and then setting it back down. She folded a scarf that had been tossed over the back of a small armchair and placed it in a drawer.
