Page 43 of Nineteen Eighty

You didn’t do this for Maureen, Huck.

“Stop it. Shut the fuck up!”

You did it for yourself.

For you.

Because you need it.

Because this, this, is your true addiction.

This is who you really are.

CHAPTER 13

Everything, Eventually

Evangeline stepped through the long marble corridor leading to the Council chambers. She’d walked this hall many times as a guest of her great-aunt, and over the past couple years, as a Council member. But she was now something else, too.

She was in love, and this time, there was no shoe waiting to drop. No secret double life—she knew this, she’d had Johannes investigated, though later told him the truth, and he didn’t mind. He didn’t mind because he knew her past, the way only Cassie had known her past.

But she was also grieving. She could love Johan better when he wasn’t the link, the baton change from Cassie to him. She wanted to see him as separate of the purity Cassie’s friendship had given her life, not the natural second phase. Cassie’s death had hit Evangeline harder, in many ways, than Maddy’s. Harder, even, than her father’s. She’d been younger then, wrapped up in a different era of her life.

Evangeline didn’t know how to tell Colleen she’d likely never move back to New Orleans. That, wherever her and Johan’s life took them, it wouldn’t be here. She’d visit as much as she needed. She took her family, and duties, with the seriousness deserved, but could be there for them, could live up to these duties, living elsewhere. She didn’t worry about Mama anymore, with Colleen home.

Colleen stepped out of the chambers and lit up, surprised to see her. “You’re early,” she said as she folded Evangeline into her arms for a warm embrace. Her lips landed on her temple. “Oh, how I’ve missed you. How’s Johannes?”

Evangeline grinned. “He’s good. He’s going to marry me.”

“He… what? When did that happen?”

“I haven’t asked yet, but I will.”

Colleen shook her head. “How very Evie of you. What if he asks first?”

“He won’t. I told him I wanted to.”

Colleen laughed. “How also very Evie of you. When are you bringing him here?”

“Holidays. Until then, don’t tell Mama.”

“I won’t, but she takes you being single as a personal failure, so you could always let her out of her misery…”

“Nah. Gotta save some presents for Christmas,” Evangeline said and they both chuckled. But behind Colleen’s laugh, behind her happiness for her sister was a deeper worry. Colleen had always tried to hide this, but was terrible at it, and Evangeline said so.

“I’m fine,” she said. She kissed Evangeline’s cheek. “Truly. I’m very blessed. I know that.”

“But?”

“You’ll keep asking until I tell you, won’t you?”

Evangeline shrugged, but they both knew the answer.

“Well… I should have told you sooner, I suppose, but…” Colleen sighed. “I think Amelia may be an empath.”

“And?”

“And?” Colleen repeated, incredulous. “You do remember the last empath in our family?”

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