The Van Alen Legacy

“Okay.” She had told him everything that happened with Allegra, had told him how odd it had been to finally speak to her mother—only to have her leave so soon. She hadn’t even been able to ask Allegra about her so-called sister. Nope. It was just, Here’s the Van Alen Legacy. Save the world while you’re at it, and I’ll see you on the other side of somewhere, sometime.

Well. Schuyler had to get to work, and she was glad she had Oliver with her. With his help, they’d already made a lot of progress, considering they were looking for a family tree that went back to antiquity. It helped that the Blue Bloods kept meticulous expression and expulsion records.

Schuyler put the teakettle on to boil and took a seat across from where Oliver had laid all the books open in front of him.

“Here’s what we know,” Oliver said. “Tiberius Gemellus was supposed to be emperor, because he was Caesar Tiberius’s real grandson and heir—while Caligula, who actually became emperor, was adopted. But Tiberius preferred Caligula over Gemellus, and so named Caligula to succeed him to the throne. You would think Gemellus would have been upset, but the records show he was very close to Caligula, and loved him as a brother. The Red Bloods’ history books say there is nothing known about Gemellus, which is logical, since most of the real history is hidden from them. I mean us—you know what I mean.”

Schuyler nodded.

“But there’s really nothing about Gemellus or his family in any of the Blue Bloods records either. It’s like he never existed. Or wasn’t important enough to keep track of,” Oliver said, getting up when the teakettle began to whistle. He poured hot water into two cups and threw in the tea bags.

“But he was important,” Schuyler said, accepting her cup and blowing on the surface before taking a sip. “He was a keeper. He was important enough that Michael and Gabrielle named him to the Order of the Seven. But where is he now? What happened to him? Who did he become?” Schuyler asked. “How do we find a person who’s not in the books?”

Oliver and Schuyler looked at each other. They were both thinking of a rather unusual diary they had found two years ago. Oliver said excitedly, “Usually when something’s not in the books, it means . . .”

“It’s deliberately been hidden,” Schuyler said.

“Exactly.” Oliver put down his cup. “So wherever he is, we’re not going to find him here,” he said, pushing the books away.

“He was brother to Caligula. Beloved by the emperor. His closest advisor. Ollie, I’ve got an idea. Call me crazy, but do you think that maybe Gemellus . . . was a Silver Blood?”





FIFTY-SEVEN

Bliss


When Mimi had first asked Bliss to be a bondsmaid at her wedding, Bliss had been taken aback. The two girls had not seen each other in over a year, and were hardly friends anymore. But Mimi had seemed a bit desperate, and Bliss took pity on her and said yes. So on the bright October morning that Jack and Mimi were to be bonded, Bliss arrived early at the salon to get her hair and makeup done, as Mimi had directed.

Trinity Force and several other daughters of high-ranking Conclave members were already swaddled in robes, reading magazines and drinking champagne. Mimi herself was seated in the middle of the action. The bond-to-be was wearing a fluffy white robe, but otherwise she looked picture-perfect. Her face was made up as exquisitely as a doll’s, with ruby red lips and the barest hint of blush. Her lustrous platinum hair was pulled back into a chignon woven with white flowers. She looked gorgeous.

“Bliss! I’m so happy to see you!” she said.

“Oh my god! I know! Are you excited?” Bliss asked, matching Mimi’s ditzy-girl tones. “You’re getting bonded today!”

“It’s about time, don’t you think?” Mimi practically screamed. Bliss could smell the alcohol on her breath, but something about Mimi’s excitement seemed . . . forced. Mimi was smiling so hard her face looked like it was going to crack.

“You’re over here. Danilo will take care of you. Remember, Danilo, make my friend pretty but not prettier than me!” Mimi giggled.

“Hey, by the way, I’m sorry I missed that um . . . bathing thing,” Bliss said, trying not to feel awkward.

“No worries. You’re here now and that’s what matters,” Mimi said with a brilliant smile. She was exactly the same old Mimi Force, Bliss thought. Totally vain, preening, and self-centered, or maybe she was just getting the bonding jitters.

Bliss was anxious about the event. She hoped the bonding would go quickly so she could get away from everyone. After her encounter with the Visitor the other day, she felt shaken and unsteady and not quite safe to be around. Not that she would ever, ever, ever, in her right mind, ever do such a thing as murder her best friend. She had to convince Schuyler to leave New York as soon as possible. The longer Schuyler stayed in the city, the more dangerous it was for her. Bliss had to keep her friend safe . . . and away from her. But she had yet to figure out how to do it, how to talk to Schuyler without the Visitor finding out.