The Gray Institute (The Gray Institute Trilogy Book 1) (28 page)

'That was fun.' She grins, still shivering, holding her hair in a make-shift pony tail behind her head.

'It was,' I agree, flashing her a smile. 'You should get warm, before you get sick.' I warn her. I'd forgotten all about her imposing guard, only remembering him as he steps forward to hand Lorna his dry jacket. She nods gratefully at him, slipping it over her shoulders before turning to me.

'Well, thank you,' She holds my gaze as she heads towards the stairs, her guard following suit, ushering her forward. He'll be in as much trouble as me if he allows her to catch a cold. 'Maybe you might like to meet me again sometime? Soon?' Lorna asks hopefully, her expression eager.

I hesitate for a moment, unable to decline her request for more than one reason. Though I have to admit that I enjoy Lorna's company, being with her is a constant battle. It's exhausting having to restrain myself around such a tempting human, and equally exhausting to watch my every word in case I say something wrong or offensive.

'Sure, whenever you like.' I nod, forcing a smile onto my face. I pity Lorna Gray now that I understand her better; she longs for company – though she won't admit it – and everyone at the Institute is too afraid to give it to her.

'Bye, Eve.' She beams once more before disappearing onto the first floor, her guard hurrying after her. The entrance hall is empty and I lean up against the wall, calming my nerves and gathering my wits. My meeting with Lorna could have so easily gone awry. I came so close to being on my way to Sir Alec's office, ready to follow in Katy Branch's footsteps. 

I have no idea why Lorna Gray is willing to spend time with me; her hatred of Immortals is plain for all to see, but I can only attribute it to her utter loneliness. Though I've come no closer to persuading her to change, I'm simply thankful that I haven't displeased her and that she's willing to meet with me again. Our next meeting must be soon and this time, I must pluck up the courage to broach the subject of her imminent transformation.

This time I must be prepared to upset her, to disagree with her or to displease her, for the sake of my own existence.

*

As I towel my hair dry in the immaculate bathroom Tia and I share, I have an overwhelming and inexplicable desire to talk to Diana; to smell her comforting candy floss scent, to hear her melodic voice and to share my thoughts with her.

Counselling is effective for most of the students, and whilst I like Islwyn Griffith, my task isn't something I'm able to discuss with him. I'm under the distinct impression that he'll relay my thoughts back to Sir Alec if the headmaster asks him to – he no doubt already has.

The problem is, I have no idea where to find Diana and I haven't seen Tia since earlier this afternoon.

I head to the common room which is full to the brim, but can't spot Tia's familiar spiky hair anywhere. Malachy catches my eye from the corner of the room, but quickly looks away as Lucrezia puts a possessive hand on his shoulder.

I do spy the Bermudez sisters, however, and I cross the room towards them. I'm largely ignored by the other students but receive a quizzical glance from a blonde girl, sitting cross legged on the floor beside Ursula's feet. Upon seeing her friend's distasteful expression, Ursula turns to me and a warm smile spreads across her beautiful face.

'Eve Ryder,' She beams, standing to kiss my cheeks, her tanned arms enveloping me in a hug. 'How are you, my love?' She asks, eyeing my messy, damp hair with wonder.

'Oh, I'm fine.' I assure her, smiling at Arlinda as she too stands to greet me.

'Eve, my sweet, you look like, ah, what is the expression? A drowned cat?' Arlinda frowns, her expression concerned, not bitchy.

'Rat,' I correct her. 'I'm fine, really. I was actually wondering if I could ask you something.' I address the twins.

'Of course!' Ursula turns her body to face me fully, isolating her blonde friend from the conversation, much to her annoyance.

'I was just wondering if you could tell me how I can get in touch with my Creator?' I ask. Ursula nods knowingly.

'Ah, of course!' She glances at the ornate clock on the far wall. 'The Creators will most likely be in their own common room by now, it's on the sixth floor, right at the end of the corridor. Who is yours?'

'Diana Haddix.'

'Yes,' Ursula nods. 'I imagine she'll be there. But if she isn't, you can call on her, she will answer as soon as...'

'Is there anything we can help with?' Arlinda cuts in and I shake my head, patting Ursula's outstretched hand gratefully.

'No, thank you so much.' I smile, releasing Ursula's grip and retreating.

'You're so welcome. Don't be a stranger, Eve.'

'Yes, and tell Tia to come see us! We miss her!' Arlinda calls after me. I wave in response, catching Malachy's eye before exiting the common room.

I make my way to the lift and press the button for the sixth floor. I've never been in this particular hall but it's much like the rest, the same décor, the same glowing torches.

I head to the end of the corridor and hear the friendly babble of the Creators' conversations. The door is propped open, revealing an elaborate common room with marble arches and an expensive-looking bar. The Creators sit on couches or stools, smoking and drinking glasses full of red liquid. Classical music plays quietly in the background and I scan the room for Diana's mane of dark hair.

'Can I help you?' A young, blonde woman asks as she crosses to the doorway, her expression wary.

'Sorry, I was just looking for my Creator. Diana Haddix?'

'She's not here tonight. Is it urgent?' The woman asks.

'I just wanted to speak with her.' I shrug, shifting uncomfortably under the woman's gaze. She seems to be studying me, trying to work out my intentions.

'Her room is 588, end of the hall on the left.' She informs me before closing the door swiftly in my face. As I retrace my steps back down the hall, I wonder whose Creator the blonde woman is and can't help but feel sorry for them.

Diana's room has a silver plaque outside, the same copperplate letters read: 'Diana Haddix: Creator.'

I hover beyond the threshold, twiddling my thumbs, wondering if bothering Diana is such a good idea. What will I say to her?

I don't know the ins and outs of her relationship with Sir Alec, and I seriously doubt that any faculty member's loyalty lies more strongly with a student than with the headmaster.

But I don't have time to deliberate long before the door opens, revealing Diana in all her beauty, a satin black gown draped around her svelte frame. I look away, feeling like I'm imposing on the usually modestly dressed Creator.

'Eve.' She smiles, every muscle in her face relaxing. She is truly a wonder to behold. I think that she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life.

'I'm sorry.' I stammer, casting my eyes sidewards along the empty corridor.

'Don't be, I should apologise. I felt you call for me over half an hour ago, I was just about to come to you,' She stands aside, opening the door further. 'Come in.' She holds her arm wide, gesturing me through. I slide past her, inhaling deeply as her familiar, sweet smell hits me.

'Felt me call for you?' I frown, remembering Ursula's similar words.

'Oh yes, sorry, I suppose I never explained that to you,' She looks flustered and I feel a twisting sensation in my stomach at the sight of her discomfort. My arms reach out instinctively to comfort her, but I pull them back, embarrassed.

'As your Creator, I can sense when you wish to see me. All of us can. With our individual students, I mean. It's a little strange I suppose, an invasion of your privacy really but it's not something I can control.' She attempts to absolve herself of a crime I never accused her of and I place a hand on her shoulder.

'It's not odd, it's pretty useful.' I smile, feeling her shoulders relax.

'I'm glad you think so.' She smiles, touching my hand with her long fingers. The intense connection I feel to Diana is a strange and unfamiliar feeling, not entirely unpleasant but certainly alien and I pull away, overwhelmed. My body seems to have feelers designed specifically for her; I can sense how she feels and I have an indescribable love for her which is unnatural for someone I've known so little time. The notion of seeing her unhappy or in pain is almost unbearable, I feel physically sick at the thought.

'Would you like a drink?' She asks, distracting me. I realise that I'm extremely thirsty. I nod and she heads over to a small wooden cabinet below the window. 'Sit.' She commands, gesturing to a large, comfy sofa next to her bed.

I sink into the fabric, feeling it mould to my shape beneath me. Diana retrieves a jug and two glasses, pouring the thick red substance into the containers and handing me one. I hold it to my lips and inhale its rich, metallic smell.

I take huge gulps, all etiquette flying out of the window as my body absorbs the warm liquid. A rush of strength and ecstasy shoots through me, re-energising me, making my senses and wits sharper.

'It's a rare blood type,' Diana smiles. 'I thought I'd treat you.'

'Thank you.' I smile, draining the glass before grinning sheepishly and setting it down on the coffee table. Diana sinks down next to me on the couch, crossing her bare legs, tightening her gown around herself.

'Are you okay, Eve?' She asks, her blue eyes filling with concern. I sigh at the contemplation of answering her simple yet so complicated question.

'Diana?' I twist to face her, folding my hands in my lap. 'How much of what I tell you is in confidence?' I decide to be forthright and honest with her, she'd only sense it if I wasn't.

'Well, most things. Obviously, I have a duty to report to Sir Alec any behaviour which I deem to be breaking the rules or endangering anyone. But...' she hesitates. 'I can keep a secret. What's on your mind?'

'Sir Alec has set me a task.' I inform her.

'Ah.' She replies, a simple syllable, but with that one sound, I realise that she already knows.

'Yeah,' I sigh. 'The odds aren't in my favour, are they?' I ask. Diana doesn't reply but looks away thoughtfully.

'How do you feel about it?' She asks finally.

'What does that matter?' I scoff. 'It doesn't matter to Sir Alec how I feel about it. It doesn't matter to Lorna what the consequences are for me. Why does it matter what
I
feel?'

'It matters to me.' She states simply. I quieten as she puts a comforting hand on my thigh. Her touch soothes me and I lean against her slightly, letting her take a little of my weight.

'I don't want to do it,' I let my strength ebb away and allow myself to be weak, to worry, to fret. Diana strokes my hair gently as I speak, listening intently.

'Lorna won't change. She won't. She's completely set against it and Sir Alec knows that! He's just using me as a last resort. If I fail, he can blame it on me instead of Lorna herself.

Why must it be my job to convince her to discard all her views? Why must I try to change the will of the most stubborn person I've ever met? He's set me an impossible task!' I whimper as I run out of steam, burying my head in Diana's shoulder. I've lacked the comfort of a mother for too long.

'Have you tried?' Diana asks. I hesitate, telling her all she needs to know. 'I know you're sure that Lorna won't change willingly, but you have to at least try. Even if it will achieve nothing.'

'Do you agree with this?' I ask. 'Changing a human against her will? Letting her live through this torturous existence, knowing her fate and despising it?' I lift my head from the folds of Diana's gown.

'I changed you against your will.' She reminds me.

'That was different,' I shrug. 'I was dying. I wasn't forced to live out a solitary confinement stretch, knowing what was coming and being powerless to stop it.' I stamp my foot in anger as Diana shushes me.

'You have to do what's right for you.' She states. I frown, glaring into her kind, blue eyes.