Page 57 of Cherish

And suddenly, I realize exactly where I’ve heard the name Lorelei before. I actually can’t believe I didn’t realize it the second I walked in the door. The family resemblance is striking.

Lorelei is the Shadow Queen’s daughter. But she’s also Mayor Souil’s.

Unbidden, images of everything the mayor did—everything he risked and everyone he hurt—to save his daughter from pain come to mind. I know Hudson and I did the right thing when we were in Adarie. The right of one girl to live pain-free wasn’t more important than the lives of every other person in that town.

But the good of the many versus the good of the individual is an easy distinction to make—when you’re friends with the many. When you come face-to-face with the individual’s suffering, though, it’s a lot harder to be nonchalant. Even more, it’s harder not to feel partly to blame.

So I approach her slowly, trying to think through my words, what I want to say, to ask. But what do you say to someone who has suffered so much? And whose bond with her twin you want to blow apart?

Turns out I don’t have to say anything, because the moment we get close to the couch, she starts doing the talking. “I can’t believe it’s really you!” she says, reaching both hands toward Hudson and me.

When I just stare at her, dumbfounded, trying to figure out what she means by that, she smiles. “You two are the best!”

“Oh, well, I wouldn’t say that exactly—”

“I would,” Hudson interrupts as he moves to shake her extended hand, a charming grin on his face. “But please, feel free to tell us more.”

I know he’s playing up the vanity for Lorelei’s benefit, but come on. I roll my eyes behind his back, which makes Lorelei chuckle.

“You’re funnier than I thought you’d be.”

“Thank you,” Hudson answers.

I’m beginning to suspect she’s confused and actually has no idea who we are. I mean, why would she even be thinking about us at all?

I start to introduce myself to her, just to avoid any awkwardness when she figures out we’re different people than she was expecting, but before I can say anything, she makes a face at Hudson and says, “I was talking to Grace.”

“Oh, well, I am very sorry, then.” Hudson lays on the proper British accent extra thick for her. “I didn’t mean to steal the spotlight from my mate.”

It’s Lorelei’s turn to roll her eyes. “I always knew you’d be funny. It’s Grace who surprises me.”

“Oh, well…ouch?” I say.

She laughs again. “You know what I mean.”

I don’t, but I’m not about to say that to her, so I just smile a little cluelessly.

“Sit down, sit down.” She gestures to the other end of the sectional, and we take a seat. “Tell me what you’re doing here. When Viola said you wanted to see me, I couldn’t believe it. I mean, what couldtheGrace and Hudson possibly want with me?”

TheGrace and Hudson? She makes us sound like celebrities or something.

“Actually, we came because we’re in the middle of a problem and realize we could use your help before we go any further,” I tell her.

“My help?” Now she looks as confused as I feel. “With what?”

Hudson’s leg brushes against mine in a supportive you’ve-got-this move, and I let the warmth of his touch flow through me. Then I just go for it.

“Our friend Mekhi was infected with the Shadow Queen’s poison,” I start, then lay the entire situation out for her. By the end, though, I realize we shouldn’t be here asking for her help as much as her permission. We’re about to separate her soul from her sister’s. Surely she should get a say in that. So I plunge forward with, “I understand we’re asking a lot. She’s your sister, and you probably have a lot of complicated feelings around that. But the only thing of worth we have to trade your mom for a cure is finding a way to separate the two of you, as that’s what she’s wanted for a millennium. But obviously, if you don’t want it, then there’s no way we could ever—”

“Oh, I want it!” Lorelei eagerly leans so far forward, she’s almost in our laps. “I want it more than anything.”

“Really?” I exchange a relieved look with Hudson. “Are you sure? Because the last thing I want is to pressure you—”

“I didn’t want to interrupt your story while you were telling it, but I don’t think you have the real picture,” she explains. “If you did, you wouldn’t worry you were pressuring me at all.”

“Oh, umm—” I look between her and Viola. “We’d love to hear the full story, if you wanted to share it.”

“I’m more than okay telling you anything you want to know, Grace.” Her smile is so big now, it crinkles the dark corners of her eyes. “First off, my mom is not evil. You need to know that. At least I don’t think she is. I haven’t seen her since I was five. But I believe she loves me.”

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