Page 26 of This Ravenous Fate
Elise nodded.
“Speak up, Elise,” he grated out.
“Yes, Father.”
Mr. Saint released her hand, stepping back. He closed the gun case and nodded to the door. “Go now. I will see you for dinner later.”
***
“I wish I could help you,” Sterling murmured into Elise’s hair. His arms tightened around her, and Elise buried her face in his chest.
“I don’t trust myself with this role. I wish we could have taken it on together,” Elise whispered as she pulled away.
Sterling brushed her hair back and smirked. “You give me too much credit.”
Elise scoffed. “You’re my father’s favorite. I think he likes you more than he likes me and Josi.”
“Elise, your fears are speaking nonsense again,” he muttered. Sterling reached into his holster and pulled out one of his guns.“Here.” He held it out to Elise.
She gave him a confused look. “No. It’s a gift from my father, you can’t—” Elise remembered reading his excitement in a letter a few months ago while in her bed after collapsing from an especially long orchestra rehearsal. “You can’t give it up.”
“Your safety is more important, Elise. I’ll take it back once this is all over,” Sterling insisted. He offered her a tight smile as he pressed the revolver into her hand.
Elise nodded. She gave him a teary smile. “I’m sorry for everything, Sterling.”
Sterling shook his head. “None of this is your fault.”
“Layla attacked because I came back. Thalia is dead because I suggested going out that night. Now your favorite Saint sister is going to France—”
“You know Josi is my favorite? Do I really make it that obvious?” Sterling feigned shock. Elise slapped his shoulder, but she finally cracked a smile. He grabbed her hand, grinning back. “How do you think I survived without my best friend for all those years? I told myself you were safer there. And I know it will be the same for Josi. Thalia is not your fault either.” His jaw tightened and he swallowed hard. “These damn reapers ruin everything. But the empire’s new plans with Stephen Wayne are going to fix things, make us stronger. And you will be at the forefront of it all.”
Elise knew he meant well, but his words only added pressure. He patted her arm and backed away.
“As long as I have this family, I have nothing to worry about. Ibelieve in you, Lise,” he said gently.
He might as well have shown her his heart. Elise smiled. This time it felt real.
13
For the first time ever, Elise arrived at the Chelsea Piers without the intention to board a ship. Instead of her trunks, the chauffeur unloaded her little sister’s luggage. Elise held Josi’s hand as she looked around, apprehension crossing her soft face.
Their parents had said their goodbyes at the house; a tutor was accompanying Josi to France. Elise knew Josi was bound to break down at the departure, and she didn’t want to make it worse for her sister by having her entire family crowding her at the docks. So she brought Josi herself, the tutor and guards walking a good distance behind to give them privacy.
As they approached the gangway of the ship, Josi squeezed Elise’s hand and dug her heels into the ground to stop their movement. “I’m not ready,” Josi whispered. The heavy salt air disturbed her hair, her curls and the pink bows that matched her dress fluttering with the breeze.
Elise set her bag down so she could kneel in front of her sister.Tears crested in her eyes, and Elise’s heart cracked at the sight. “I was this nervous, too, before I went to France. But do you remember reading the letters I sent you?”
Josi nodded.
“What did I tell you about?” Elise asked.
“You had fun. You made music and met lots of friends,” Josi said in a small voice.
“Yes. That’s what you want, right?” Elise tried to keep her voice from wavering, but raw emotions seeped into her words.
Josi nodded again. “I want to dance.”
“That’s exactly what you will do. You will meet so many new friends, and you will get to spend time practicing your ballet.” She wiped a tear from Josi’s cheek.
