When Evelyn and Griffin joined us, I couldn’t help but be irritated. I never had any time alone with Dad these days.
As if reading my mind, Lincoln opened the back passenger door to his car. ‘Mr Eden, how about I give you and Violet a lift home? Griffin can take Evelyn in his car – I’m sure they have some things to discuss.’
Dad looked between Evelyn and me and nodded, slipping into the back seat.
I moved in beside Dad and if my eyes could have said thank you a million times to Lincoln, they did then.
As we drove, Dad’s erratic breathing settled and he relaxed enough to talk.
‘I just can’t believe I never knew all these things. Evelyn has lived for over two hundred years.’ He shook his head. ‘How could I not have known?’
I put my hand on top of his. ‘Dad, there was no way you could’ve. Judgement aside, there’s no denying she’s a master at her work.’ I bit my lip and moved my hand away awkwardly. ‘She’s a manipulator. The only thing we can possibly know for certain is that she chose to lie to you for the entire time she was with you.’
‘That doesn’t mean it was all lies,’ Dad said defensively.
‘No, it doesn’t,’ I conceded. ‘And I’m sure her feelings for you were real – it’s just … She puts her Grigori status above everything and everyone else. Us included.’
‘And you don’t?’
I couldn’t help glancing at Lincoln in the front seat. His face was expressionless as he stared ahead, but his hands had that tell-tale white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel that told me he was listening intently.
I gnawed at the inside of my cheek and decided on the truth. ‘No. I don’t. There are things that are more important to me.’
Dad slumped back into the seat, exhausted. ‘Will she ever age?’
‘Probably not in your lifetime.’ It was a grim reality, but he deserved to know.
He sighed and I noticed the dark circles rimming his eyes. ‘It’s so strange. I look at her, hear her speak – her mannerisms are the same but she’s different as well.’
He ran his trembling hands through his hair and again, I wished I was better at connecting with him.
‘I hear her in the night, tossing and turning – whatever haunts her dreams … It’s awful, Vi.’
I find that hard to believe.
Then again, maybe it was waking up to discover she was back with us that led to the screaming. It didn’t inspire much sympathy.
‘Dad, I know it’s hard, but she’s a liar. She traded our futures, our happiness, for her place in Heaven. I don’t know why she’s back or for how long, but I think you need to be prepared for the possibility that if she has the opportunity to help herself, she’ll ditch us without another thought.’
Dad stayed silent. But I’d been there for the last seventeen years, I’d seen what losing her did to him. I just couldn’t let him go through it again.
Or me.
No. The best thing I could do for Dad was prepare him for her departure.
‘Dad, please, look at the facts. She’s using you.’
I closed my eyes briefly, sensing his hurt, but I needed to look after him. He was my father.
‘Have you even spoken to Caroline since Evelyn came back?’ I asked, reminding him of the good things that had started to happen in his life recently with his PA. Finally, Dad had been acting like he was ready for a relationship.
He shook his head. ‘I … I told her I couldn’t keep seeing her. It just didn’t feel right and I had no other explanation.’
Poor Caroline.
I hadn’t been thrilled about her interfering in Dad’s and my relationship, but she was a good person and I knew she genuinely cared for Dad.
‘What did she say?’
His hands combed his hair again. ‘She resigned. Said it was for the best.’
‘Oh, Dad.’
It made me so cross. Dad was turning his world upside down for Evelyn and I knew it could only end badly.
‘Just promise me you’ll keep your guard up,’ I urged.
And, as if accepting the cruel truth, he nodded. ‘I … I can’t go through this again. You’re right, Vi.’
I breathed out a sigh of relief.
‘I’ll keep my distance, but what happens now? I can’t just let you go off to face this Academy on your own.’
‘She won’t be alone, Mr Eden,’ Lincoln said.
Dad sent a dubious look in his direction. ‘If any harm comes to her–’
‘I’ll look after her,’ Lincoln jumped in. ‘I’d never let any harm come to her.’
I rolled my eyes. ‘When you two are finished …’ I pointed out the window. ‘We’re home.’
Lincoln didn’t get out so before I closed the door I looked back at him as Dad crossed the road. ‘Thanks for the outrageously fun night.’
He winked. ‘I aim to please.’
‘Then we’re going to have to reassess your pleasure standards.’ At the smile on his face and raised eyebrow, my cheeks pinked. ‘Ah … I mean …’
‘Goodnight, Vi.’
I bit my lip. ‘’Night, Linc.’