All You Desire (27 page)

“Didn't work out,” Calum explained. “Apparently I'm not Owen's type. Which is totally crazy—I'm
everyone's
type.”

“Owen's been a member for a single year, and he already has Adam's ear?” Haven asked.

“He's a talented boy, that Owen Bell,” Calum snipped. “I wish I could come off so sincere.”

“Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen!” An older gentleman in a tweed suit had stepped up to the podium at the front of the room. “May I have your attention, please?”

“Who's that?” Haven whispered to Calum.

“Jeffrey Lemke. The new president of the OS. He replaced Padma. Lemke's about as interesting as a ball of lint compared to the diabolical Ms. Singh.”

“Maybe that's not such a bad thing,” Haven remarked just as Lemke started to speak.

“I'd like to introduce the young man you've all come to hear. At age nine, Milo Elliot was the first student accepted at Halcyon Hall. In May, he will graduate with top honors, and come September he'll be joining the freshman class at Yale. Milo's not only one of the Ouroboros Society's brightest lights, he's the future of our organization. Tonight, he's going to give us a peek at what that future may hold.”

The crowd clapped politely.

“Thank you, Jeffrey,” Milo said. He looked down at his notes and then up at the portrait of George Washington on the wall above his podium. When he faced the audience once more, Milo had been transformed. Gone was the bland blond boy. In his place was a confident leader with a warm, winning smile. “When I look around the room at the faces gathered here tonight, I see this country's best and brightest. Artists, businesspeople, philanthropists, inventors, scientists—there's enough money, talent, and brainpower in this one room to change the course of history.

“That was, after all, what the Ouroboros Society was
meant
to achieve. Lasting change. When August Strickland started this organization in 1923, he brought the first Eternal Ones together with a purpose in mind. He had a vision of a world in which our unique skills and knowledge would make a difference. Unfortunately, over the last ninety years, that vision has remained unfulfilled. Ironically, as the Ouroboros Society has grown more powerful, our impact on the world has diminished. We've come to focus on our own petty needs and desires. We've forgotten that we were sent back to earth not to line our own pockets, but to shape the future and to lead those less fortunate than ourselves.”

Haven shivered. A figure in black had materialized only inches away from where she stood. Adam smiled down at her before returning his attention to the speaker. Haven sensed an invisible shield surrounding them both—a bubble that couldn't be burst. It felt like nothing could ever threaten her while Adam was at her side.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Milo continued. “I believe that the time has come to devote our talents to a higher cause. The day I graduate from Yale, I intend to pledge my life to serving others. By seeking public office, I can do my small part to influence the future of our city, our state, and our country. And I'm not the only student at Halcyon Hall with such goals. The next generation of Society members knows it's our
destiny
to lead the world. In a decade, we will be America's politicians, its scientists, and its businesspeople. With your support, in the next twenty-five years, we will be its presidents, Nobel Prize winners, and CEOs.

“So I've come here tonight to ask for your help. This is your chance to use your wealth and power to begin shaping the future. Simply transfer as many points as you can spare to the Halcyon Hall Endowment Fund. We'll be keeping records of contributions, and all donations will be much appreciated. Thank you, and enjoy the party.”

The applause this time was louder and more heartfelt.

“Good evening, Haven,” Adam said once the room had quieted down. “I didn't expect to see you here tonight.”

“Alex and Calum brought me.” Haven gestured toward the spot where the two had been standing, but the couple had vanished.

“And what did you think?”

Haven glanced over at Milo, who was shaking hands with members of his awestruck audience. Calum and Alex were now standing to the side of the crowd, snickering at the scene.

“He's a powerful speaker. I didn't expect someone that young to be so charismatic,” Haven said. “But I'm a little confused by his speech. Milo just said he wants the Society's members to start changing the world around them. Doesn't that go against everything you stand for? I thought you wanted members so focused on the points in their accounts that they
couldn't
change the world for the better.”

“I suppose you could say that my strategy has shifted,” Adam replied. “I've decided to take a different tack. The Society of the future will look quite different from the one you've come to know.”

“Alex says you've been working with Owen Bell. She told me that he's dedicated to cleaning up the OS—and that you've been making all the improvements that Owen's recommended. Is it true?” Haven still found it hard to believe.

“Yes. Owen is very talented,” Adam confirmed. “It's always easier to have someone so gifted working
for
you than fighting against you. In fact, I've come to rely on Mr. Bell. Milo is only the
face
of the future. Owen will be its heart and its voice. He wrote the speech you just heard.”

“He did?” Haven searched for Owen and found him glaring at Milo from the far corner of the room. His arms were crossed, and he looked livid.

“I wish Mr. Bell could give the speeches as well as write them, but there are reasons he prefers to work behind the scenes.” Adam's eyes landed on the young man in question. His gaze was that of a zoologist observing a rare and remarkable creature. “I've encountered Owen in several of his lives, and his way with words has always impressed me. But until recently, I considered him a waste of my time.”

“Why?” Haven asked.

“As far as I can tell, Owen Bell is incorruptible,” Adam said, almost sounding surprised to hear himself utter the words. “I can't say I've ever met anyone like him. Owen has more than three thousand points sitting in his OS account. He's never spent a single one, and I doubt he ever will. I'm pleased that you two had a chance to meet. Owen could use a good friend. It's a shame you'll be going away.” The final sentence seemed to trigger a thought, and Adam's voice shifted from friendly to formal. “I shouldn't take any more of your time, Haven. I only came over to offer my apologies. I'm sorry that we haven't found Beau yet. Commissioner Williams has assured me it's only a matter of days—if not hours—before we do. In the meantime, will you let my people at the Society know if there's anything we can do to make your stay in New York more pleasant?”

“Sure,” Haven said, feeling more than a little confused. Had he given up trying to win her?

“Then please excuse me. As much as I would love to spend my evening with you, I must attend to my guests.”

“You're leaving me all alone?” Haven heard herself flirting.

Adam nodded solemnly. He was even paler than usual, Haven noticed, and his eyes had lost their luster. He looked like someone in terrible pain. Was it possible to fake such suffering, she wondered. “I
must
leave. For your sake,” Adam said. “Yesterday, I had to face a terrible truth. For the past week, I've tried to ignore the fact that you're not in New York to stay. I gave into temptation, Haven. I allowed myself to feel things that I promised myself I wouldn't feel. But soon, Beau will be located, and I'll lose you once more. If I don't put some distance between us, the pain will be too much to bear. I'm afraid I may not be able to let you leave when the time comes. I know how that must sound, but I have to be honest with you. I hope you forgive me.”

“But . . .” Haven started to argue before she truly understood what he'd said. The Adam Rosier she'd once known would never have warned her. He wouldn't have denied himself pleasure, even if it came at another's expense. Until that moment, Haven hadn't considered taking Adam at his word. She had allowed him to help her, of course. And she was grateful for his assistance. But it had never occurred to her that the love Adam felt might be completely sincere—or that her happiness could be more important to him than his own. Maybe it was all just a ruse—a new trick he'd dreamed up to lure Haven back into his arms. Or maybe—just maybe—the man standing beside her was a different Adam Rosier.

“Goodnight, Haven,” he said.

Haven watched Adam cut through the crowd, leaving her behind.

“What did you say to the boss, Haven?” It was Calum, with Alex in tow. “I've never seen him like that. And look at you blushing like a virgin in a sex shop! Are you still going to tell me you two are just
friends
?”

“What do you care?” Haven asked, suddenly annoyed. “Why were you watching me, anyway?”

“Oh, don't mind Calum,” Alex advised with a roll of her eyes. “He may be nosy, but he rarely means any harm.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Haven thought of the days when her world had been simple. Iain was her soul mate. Beau was her best friend. The Ouroboros Society was hopelessly corrupt. Adam was evil. Just a few weeks earlier, she'd been blissfully unaware that the Horae were watching her every move. And Mia Michalski had been nothing more than a name. In two short weeks, that world had been blown apart. Haven would have to piece the fragments together again. She'd start with one of the few things she still knew for certain. Beau was her best friend, and until she found him, nothing else mattered.

She fled City Hall Cinderella style, dashing down the stairs and heading toward the traffic circling the grounds. She never noticed the van parked on Broadway, and it wasn't until she felt arms grab her from behind that Haven realized Chandra and Cleo had been waiting to ambush her. Cold and miserable, Haven was bounced around in the back of the Horae's van long enough to build up a powerful rage. Finally the vehicle stopped, the doors opened, and Chandra hopped inside.

“Put this on,” she ordered, handing Haven a blindfold.

“Kiss my ass,” Haven snarled.

“Put it on,” Chandra repeated.

Haven complied, and her captors dragged her out of the van like a sack of groceries. Each woman grabbed an arm and guided her forward. Snow filled Haven's shoes and brush slapped at her ankles. They were in the woods. Finally, her arms were released.

“Count to sixty before you take off the blindfold,” Chandra commanded.

Haven could hear them returning the way they'd come. When she removed her blindfold, she found herself in a dense forest. Between the trees, she could see a flickering blaze. She trudged through the woods and into a snowy opening in the middle of the wilderness. A campfire lit the center of the clearing. Seated on a log, a few feet from the flames, was Phoebe. She seemed perfectly at home, though her beige suit and overcoat were better suited for a boardroom than the boondocks.

“I can't believe you just had me kidnapped! Where am I?” Haven demanded. All around her, a thick web of pine branches formed an impenetrable barrier.

“Try to remain calm, Haven,” Phoebe cooed as if pacifying an overwrought child. “You haven't been abducted. This is merely a place where we can speak without interruption.”

“Speak about
what
? There's no way I'm going to help you after what you've just done. We've got nothing to discuss.”

“I can't force you to talk, but I wouldn't recommend leaving here on your own.” Phoebe gestured to the forest that surrounded them. “I know for a fact that there are monsters in these woods.”

“Stop trying to scare me!” Haven snarled as she took a step toward the fire. She didn't like feeling the darkness at her back.

“Chandra delivered your message. You've decided not to honor your deal with the Horae. Is that correct?”

“That's right. I don't want your help anymore. I can find Beau on my own.” Haven began to doubt her words the second they left her mouth. But she'd learned something important in the back of the Horae's van. Haven had discovered the lengths to which the sisters would go to make her cooperate. Something told Haven that she and Beau might be better off without them. But she couldn't be sure.

Phoebe laughed. “On your
own
? Do you really believe that the magos has the police searching New York for your friend? How do you know that he wasn't the one responsible for Beau's kidnapping? How do you know that he doesn't have his gray men torturing the boy as we speak?”

“He doesn't,” Haven insisted. She could still see Adam walking away from her, leaving her all alone at the party. If he had used Beau to lure her back to New York, he wouldn't have let her go. Somehow that one simple gesture had led Haven's heart to a startling conclusion that her mind was still trying to explain. “He's different now.”

“Is he? And how many people's lives would you be willing to bet on that?” Phoebe stirred the fire with a stick, and its embers crackled and sparked. “I was hoping you'd be more intelligent this time around. But you're as foolish now as you've ever been.”

“I'd go easy on the insults if I were you,” Haven warned the woman. “Do you have any idea what Adam would do if he knew you kidnapped me tonight?”

“Yes, your knight in shining armor would arrive on his noble steed to rescue his princess and punish her enemies,” Phoebe sneered. “He won you over quite quickly this time, didn't he? He tells you he's seen the light, and you fall at his feet. Have you forgotten that there are lives on the line? What about the children—the little ones the magos has been recruiting for the past ten years? Don't you care what will happen to them?”