The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de La Cruz Read Free Book Online Page B

last

night at Oliver’s, where she had been staying since returning from South America. She hadn’t the

courage to go back to the brownstone on
101st Street
    . It hurt too much to know that there would be

no Lawrence puffing on his cigar in his study. Her grandfather’s Conduit advised her to leave the

country as soon as possible. He had read the transcript of the investigation. “You cannot take

chances. No one knows what will happen tomorrow. It is better that you go now and disappear

before they can renounce you as a traitor.”
    “I told you,” Oliver said,

looking meaningfully at Schuyler.
    “But where would we go?” she

asked.
    “Everywhere. Do

not stay anywhere for longer than seventy-two hours. The Venators are fast, but they will be

using the glom to find you, and it will slow them down a little. Wherever you go, make sure you

end up in Paris next August.”
    “Why Paris?” Schuyler asked.
    “The full European Coven

converges every other year for a grand party and a congress,” Anderson said. “Lawrence had been

planning to attend the biannual meeting. You shall take his place instead. The countess will see

you. The Conclaves have been estranged ever since the Blue Bloods left the Old Country. She never

had any faith in Michael and the New York Coven. She will have even less faith now, when she

hears of Lawrence’s demise. She was one of his oldest friends.”
    The countess had been a friend

to Cordelia as well, Schuyler realized later. She vaguely remembered the royal couple: their

stately home had made more of an impression. She hadn’t thought anything in particular of them

except that they had seemed gracious and extremely wealthy, just like everyone in Cordelia’s

circle. Now Schuyler understood they were special. The countess had been married to the late

Prince Henri, who would have been the King of France save the Revolution. Henri had been Regis of

the European Conclave. Upon the end of his cycle, his queen had assumed the title.
    Anderson was leaving the city

too. Upon a vampire’s death, human Conduits were released from service and allowed a choice: the

Repository or freedom. They could work for the Coven at large, or they could have a normal

life.
    Anderson told them he had no

desire to live out the rest of his life in a basement. He was going back to Venice, back to the

University. Of course, his memory would be erased by the Conclave. That was a prerequisite to his

leaving them. The Blue Bloods kept their secrets.
    Schuyler understood Anderson’s

choice, but it saddened her all the same. Anderson was the last remaining link to her

grandfather. Once he left the Coven, he would be a stranger to her. But she would not deny him

his desire for an ordinary existence. He had spent a lifetime in service to the Van

Alens.
    “Go and find the countess,”

Anderson continued. ‘ tell her everything that has happened. There has been distrust

between the covens, so she might not know the truth about the massacre in Rio. And,

Schuyler?”
    “Yes?”
    “I know what they’ve planned

for me tomorrow at my exit interview. The forced amnesia. But don’t worry, I will

never forget you.” He shook her hand, and she clasped his in hers.
    “Nor shall I forget your great

kindness,” Schuyler replied. Oliver was right as usual. They had to leave immediately. The

Venators would come for her that evening. They would come to take her away.
    “The countess will help

you.”
    Schuyler hoped her

grandfather’s old friend was right.

TEN

Schuyler

    “Look at you,” Oliver

murmured, coming up from behind to rest a warm hand on Schuyler’s exposed hip.
    She turned to him with a soft

smile and placed her hand firmly on top of his so that they were practically embracing. Whatever

happened tonight, at least they had each other. It was a source of great consolation to both of

them.
    “You don’t look too bad