Page 64 of Nineteen Seventy-Six

“We aren’t the first,” Luther said. “I discovered that when I sent the communications on Ophelia. I had at least eight responses that said they’d tried to connect our world, but Ophelia told them to wait… to wait, presumably, for now.”

“But why?” Pierce said. “Why wait, if she agreed?”

“She didn’t want to do everything for us,” Eugenia jumped in. “She could’ve left us with so much more, but instead, she left us on the verge of everything. She left us to learn to govern without her, and what Luther is presenting to us now is exactly what she intended.”

“Eugenia is right. Ophelia’s legacy is this, exactly. It’s not that she left us something, it’s that she left us in the frame of mind to make it something.” Colleen’s unflinching gaze traveled across the other six, and for the first time, she understood something about what they were doing, something real, something more than just showing up and continuing to do what they’d always done. That’s what Ophelia had been trying to say, when she shot down Colleen’s suggestions in the meetings and told her there’d be a time and place.

This matter of the Curse. Of the problems plaguing our blood. It isn’t a matter of if, my child. It’s never been a matter of if. It’s always been when.

“I like the idea,” Kitty said. “You know how boring these meetings are?”

“Boring means there’s peace,” Pierce reminded her.

“But ain’t nobody learn from times of peace, Daddy,” Pansy rebutted. “We sit here with our asses exposed, coming to these meetings, acting like we know they’re important, but not one of us can say why, because we’ve all been damned lucky to grow up when we have. But what about our kids? Memories of the dark ages didn’t die with Ophelia. Not if we don’t let them.”

“It’s something to do, in any case,” Cassius added.

“Thank you, Luther,” Colleen said. A new energy coursed through her. Excitement. Hope. Purpose. They were on the verge of something that would shape the future. “Between now and the next meeting, I suggest we all think of how we’ll take this from concept to action.”

“We also need to get the Collective meetings going again, Colleen. Get people here, interested again,” Pierce said. “Let’s not wait for a tragedy to make folks care.”

“Agreed.”

After, Eugenia lingered to speak with her. Colleen had been hoping she might get a few moments alone with Luther, to give him praise and encouragement, but the look her cousin wore told her this was more pressing.

Eugenia kissed both cheeks and motioned for Colleen to sit down. “I know you’re flying to Scotland tomorrow. I won’t take much of your time.”

“No, it’s fine.” Colleen straightened her skirt. “What is it?”

“I’ve been thinking about retiring from the Council.”

Colleen’s mouth dropped. “What? Eugenia, you’re a staple here, you’re…”

Eugenia smiled and placed a hand over Colleen’s. “I know I was one of her favorites, but that era is over, isn’t it?”

“If it’s something I did, something I’ve said, or—”

“No, Colleen. It isn’t you.” Eugenia flicked at the lapels of her smoking jacket. “It actually has very little to do with the Council, at all. Wallace and I… we’ve suffered a loss. A rather unexpected one.” Colleen didn’t probe, but she didn’t need to. Her cousin’s hand on the belly provided the answer. “A loss that I believe may be a result of the losses of last year. My father. Ophelia. Please don’t go spreading this around, as I don’t need the family chinwaggers going on about it, but I spent a week in the hospital for exhaustion. It’s all had an effect on my health that has reminded me that my boys deserve a mother. They deserve to have me around for as long as God decides to give me, and… truly, Colleen, don’t look so grim. You know how I hate sympathy. It’s just time. Everything has a season.” Eugenia rose. She’d discussed some of the worst parts of her life so clearly, succinctly, and without hesitation, and it was this trait Colleen had always admired in her cousin. That she’d miss the most.

“When?” Colleen asked.

“Soon. Not today.” Eugenia smiled. “I wouldn’t leave the Council without a replacement ready. I’m giving you time to think about that.”

“Luther,” Colleen blurted after Eugenia. “You should be proud of him after what he did today.”

Eugenia turned, one hand on the doorframe. “Oh, I am. I never doubted he was the right choice, Colleen. Not once. But it wasn’t my job to sell it. Ophelia gave these trials to you.”

“I’m listening,” Maureen repeated.

“You’re wondering why I took something from you.”

“Yes,” she said. She lifted her chin. “Actually, I am. I thought we had an agreement.”

“We did,” Edouard said, nodding. “You know I never wanted this marriage.”

“Thanks for the reminder,” Maureen muttered before she could stop herself.

“I don’t say that to hurt you,” Edouard went on. “I have never, not once, said something with the intention of hurting you. That’s not who I am.”

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