He had been my saviour when I had least accepted that I needed one. He had been my friend. And I would do anything to have him back. But he was gone.
It was fast, at least. Chloe had shown me that much with her gift. He had stepped in the way of a younger Grigori’s fight. He had saved the girl’s life and pushed her aside, leaving himself wide open for the exile, who had not hesitated to drive his sword right into his chest. Spence had leaped into the fight at the same moment, but he’d been too late. There was nothing anyone could have done.
Lincoln stood quietly to the side, where he had been for hours, waiting patiently, but now he joined me, saying softly, ‘It’s time.’
I nodded, brushing my hands across the marble headstone. ‘Mondays and Thursdays will never feel right without you,’ I whispered.
I placed the last dozen roses, all white apart from one red. Because he stood apart, and because he would always carry a place in my heart.
‘Love you, Gray,’ I said. ‘Thank you for dancing with me.’
‘How are you holding up?’ Lincoln asked as we rode the elevator back up to the Academy.
I took his hand while my other hand tucked my hair behind my ear. I just couldn’t get used to it being short. ‘I’ll be okay,’ I said. And it was true. Dealing with the losses, especially Gray, was going to hurt for a long time, but I knew that they had not died in vain, and that helped. ‘What’s happening now that Drenson’s gone?’ I asked. ‘Has Josephine taken over?’
Lincoln shrugged, helping me out of the lift as I still hobbled with aches and pains. At least the worst of the bruising on my face had settled.
‘I’m not sure. The Assembly and senior Grigori have been convening all week here and at the main headquarters around the world. There’s supposed to be an announcement today and Josephine told me to be there.’ He checked his watch. ‘It’s already started.’
I nodded. ‘Then let’s go.’
But he simply smiled and backed me into the wall beside the hall doors.
‘What?’ I asked, grinning.
He took a few strands of my hair in his fingers and I couldn’t help the wave of self-consciousness. Lincoln had always liked my long hair. He leaned in close, kissing me lightly just below the ear. ‘Have I mentioned how damn sexy your hair is?’
When I started to shake my head he stopped me by kissing me again, on the lips this time.
‘Just when I thought you couldn’t be any more stunning, you prove me wrong.’ He watched my reaction until he was satisfied that my embarrassment had gone and then planted a quick kiss on my forehead. ‘You know you’re incredible, right?’
I blushed. Only Lincoln could have made me suddenly love my new hair in just two sentences.
He pulled me away from the wall as he chuckled, that laugh he reserved just for me, as we pushed open the doors to the hall.
I had never seen the grand hall so full. With many Grigori having returned here after the battle at New Orleans, the Academy was over capacity, but everyone seemed to be happy enough to squeeze in.
Lincoln and I began to worm our way through, looking for familiar faces or just somewhere to stand so we could hear the Assembly’s decision.
As we weaved, people around us were quick to give us space, which at first I appreciated, until I realised they were moving too quickly than was merely polite. The chatter died down suddenly and whispers began as a walkway opened before us and every set of eyes was trained in our direction.
‘Linc,’ I murmured, ‘do you know what this is about?’
‘No idea,’ he said, though he seemed considerably less surprised than I felt. He really had a knack for that.
‘Why is everyone looking at us?’
‘They’re not looking at us, Vi. They’re looking at you,’ he said softly.
Oh, great. Hang me out to dry, why don’t you?
I spotted the group of Rogues to our right, Carter at the front. Relieved to see him I made my way over, ignoring the following eyes, and flung my arms around him. He pulled me tight and I bit my lip to hold back the tears.
‘What did he say to you?’ I asked. In the vision Chloe had shown me, it was Carter who’d caught Gray’s body as it fell and had his ear to Gray’s mouth for his final words.
Carter squeezed me one last time. ‘I tried,’ he rasped. ‘I was too damn slow.’
He was talking about his ability to rewind. He hadn’t been able to get to Gray in time to stop what happened.
‘I know,’ I said, my hand on his shoulder. ‘Of course I know.’ Carted loved Gray too. He would’ve done anything to save him. ‘What did he say?’ I asked again.
His eyes came up to meet mine briefly before he leaned in to whisper in my ear. ‘He said, “Purple’s the colour of royalty. Protect her always.”’
I heard the reverence in Carter’s voice and pulled back. As I did, I was further stunned to see Carter and all the Rogues standing behind him drop to their right knees and bow their heads.