“No. We’re discussing it now. Amnesty for everyone—including Adrian and me. When this is over, I want to go off with him, wherever we want, and live a normal life. I don’t want to see Alchemists driving by or watching me in restaurants. I want to be left alone to pursue my own interests. In exchange, I will give you a copy of what I found on a very incriminating laptop owned by Master Angeletti of the Warriors. And I won’t give a copy of that information to the Moroi—unless you violate the terms of this agreement.”

Glancing up, I saw Eddie studying some posters on the door of Pies and Stuff, and I was glad he was out of earshot. He probably wouldn’t like the idea of me withholding something that might be of interest to his people, but right now, I was negotiating for my life—and the lives of the other ex-Alchemists. I couldn’t favor the Alchemists or the Moroi. I had to look out for everyone who’d simply been caught in the middle of their negotiations.

“I’ll be honest,” said Stanton at last. “Many questions have been raised internally about the usefulness of re-education—whether it’s truly doing what we want. But I can’t agree to your deal on my own. You should know that by now. I need to take it to the others. What I will promise you is amnesty for the rest of this endeavor in St. George. If you want to attend, you have my word you can without fear from the Alchemists. Then I’ll let you know what the others have to say.”

Something in Stanton’s voice—as well as what I knew of her character—made me believe her. “Fair enough,” I said. I tried to make my tone lofty, like I was doing her a great favor in making this concession, but in truth, I was anxious to get things under way.

It was time for us to bring Jill home.

CHAPTER 18: ADRIAN

CHAPTER 18

ADRIAN

“JUST LOOK AT HIM,” I insisted. “Please.”

“No,” said Neil, turning away from the phone I held toward him. “If I look at him . . .” His voice choked, and he was unable to continue.

We were still at Maude’s house, waiting for the next phase of action, and I was trying to get him to overcome the crazy idea that he needed to avoid Declan.

“Look,” I said. “No one’s going to think it’s suspicious if you raise him. We all know you loved Olive. They’ll think you’re helping because of that—not because through some crazy twist of spirit, you two managed to change the world as we know it!”

Neil shook his head. “Hardly anyone even knows Olive had a baby. That’s a good thing. You need to keep it that way—and keep me out of the picture.”