Page 38 of Chasing Eternity (Stealing Infinity #3)
We are gathered—Braxton, Finn, Oliver, Keane, and I.
These are our allies. This is our team.
A knock sounds at the door, and Braxton’s head snaps up, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes. As the door swings open to reveal Mason waiting on the other side, Braxton looks even less certain.
It’s not like I’m brimming with confidence, either. My heart beats unsteadily, grappling with the enormity of the responsibility we face. Mason is here at Gray Wolf because of me, because of a foolish mistake I made. And so, despite my uncertainty, including him in our plans is a risk I felt compelled to make.
If we’re going to succeed and put an end to this madness, it’s only fair Mason is given the chance to decide his own future and choose where he’ll go next. Home seems like the most obvious choice, but in this place, it’s as viable as opting for a life in eighteenth-century France.
As I look around at these faces, my thoughts drift to those who are absent from this gathering. Elodie, Killian, Jago, Roxane, Hawke, Freya, Charlotte, Maisie—their futures hang in the balance as much as ours.
Elodie, of course, will be reunited with her family, but what of the others? The countless unseen faces that populate the corridors of this academy, each with their own stories and dreams—what will become of them in the wake of our actions?
If I fail and Arthur’s plan comes to fruition, it’s hard to imagine him maintaining Gray Wolf in its current form. The entire foundation of this academy was built on his quest to reunite with his lost love. Once that objective is achieved, what purpose does this place serve? Where does that leave everyone who once called it home?
On the other hand, if I succeed, the future remains uncertain. While I have no intention of doing Arthur any physical harm, the reality is that anything could happen that might force my hand in ways I can’t currently foresee.
Hell, the very act of withholding the Star from him could trigger a confrontation I must be prepared for, with outcomes that could reshape our reality.
The only certainty I cling to amid all this vagueness is my resolve to leave Gray Wolf behind. Though I have definite plans to visit my mom, I won’t stay for long. The town that once contained my whole world now feels way too constricting. When it comes to making a fresh start, New York seems like a much better fit.
Besides, I have a key to my dad’s apartment, along with a sum of money securely hidden in a safe behind Salvador Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory . And of course, I fully expect Braxton to join me, so together, we’ll start a new life.
Yet, woven through my thoughts of new beginnings is the enduring dream of rescuing my dad and mending the holes in my own family tapestry. Still, it’s not without risk. The complexities of altering history, of navigating the treacherous waters of paradoxes and unintended consequences, loom large. And then, there’s Nietzsche’s cautionary note about battling monsters, reminding me of the fine line between changing the past and being irrevocably changed by it.
Will my inability to let go of my father turn me into a monster like Arthur?
“So,” Mason begins, standing at the threshold of Braxton’s room, eyes scanning those of us gathered, “what’s this about?”
The room falls silent as everyone shifts toward me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and caution at Mason’s presence. Motioning for him to join me on the well-worn leather couch, I clutch Braxton’s Union Jack needlepoint pillow a bit too tightly, seeking comfort and courage from its familiar texture.
“Hypothetically,” I say, trying to sound casual yet meaningful, “if you had the chance to leave here and could choose any destination, any era, where would it be?”
Mason’s posture stiffens, his defenses practically electrifying the air between us. “Cut to the chase, Nat,” he says, his fingers absently tracing the golden crown ring I gave him to wear both as a talisman and a symbol of our deep-rooted connection. “Is this some sort of escape plan? Because I can’t help but notice not everyone’s here.”
Despite knowing him as well as I do, his directness catches me completely off guard. Still, it serves as a stark reminder that Mason and I share too much history for this sort of evasiveness. He deserves nothing short of the truth.
“Told you this was a bad idea,” Oliver mutters under his breath.
Though Mason doesn’t miss a beat, I can tell by the pinch of his lips that Oliver’s comment didn’t go unnoticed. “Home,” he states simply, catching us all off guard with the straightforwardness of his wish.
Keane, ever the facilitator, leans forward. “Remember, you can go anywhere. Your options are limitless. Any timeline, any destination you desire, it’s well within reach. I can make it happen.”
The offer is enticing, opening an entire world of possibilities, but Mason remains steadfast in his resolve. “Just get me off this rock,” he says. “I’ll handle the rest from there.” His gaze shifts to me, reading the look of surprise etched across my face and those of everyone else in the room. “Seems like you all expected something different.” He smirks. “Thought I’d settled in, maybe?” His voice trails off, leaving the questions hanging.
“I guess I thought you were really starting to like it here,” I say. “You had that—”
“That new Blue glow.” Braxton finishes the thought for me.
Curious, I turn to him, unfamiliar with the term. Which leaves me to wonder if that’s how they saw me after my first Trip, when I was completely caught up in the wonders of this place.
“Honestly,” Mason says, “I won’t lie—it’s incredible here. I mean, where else could someone like me experience all this?” He makes a wide, but vague, gesture around the room. “The way we get to dress, the food we get to eat, all this art and luxury, not to mention attending elaborate parties at Versailles thrown by King Louis XIV—it’s intoxicating, to say the least.”
He’s not wrong. The allure of Gray Wolf is undeniable, and I’d be lying if I said there weren’t plenty of things that I’m going to miss about the life I’ve lived here. The mundane reality that awaits us once we’re off this rock seems lackluster in comparison.
But even if I chose to stay, how long could I really time travel like this? Keane, Hawke, Roxane once roamed through time as we do, yet now find themselves anchored in administrative roles, a path I’ve never aspired to follow.
“But eventually,” Mason continues, breaking into my thoughts, “I need to start looking forward, and home is where my future lies. Plus, I really do miss my grandma.”
In that moment, I lean in and hug him. Though we’ve been best friends for what feels like forever, such open displays of affection have been rare between us. Which is why I find myself caught by surprise when he returns the hug with equal warmth.
“All right, all right, break it up already,” Oliver says. “We’ve got plans to make.”
Pulling back, I grab my water and take a long, steady sip. Then, meeting each of their eyes in turn, I say, “First, a little context…”
After explaining the Antikythera Mechanism’s significance and Arthur’s intentions once I secure the Star, I add, “I’m going to get Arthur his Star, but there’s a twist. Braxton will also Trip, but he’s going to Antikythera Island in Greece, in the year 1901. He’ll be there just when the original Antikythera is found, so he can switch it out with a replica.”
I can’t help but grin. It feels like the ultimate countermove against Arthur, beating him at his own game by swapping a genuine piece of history with a fake. It’s also satisfying to know that my father’s contributions as a Timekeeper weren’t in vain.
“I’ll ensure Braxton gets there on time,” Keane says, voice brimming with confidence. “I’m familiar with all the intricacies of working the control room.” Turning to Mason, he continues, “You, along with Oliver and Finn, need to head to the dock. I’ll secure the car keys for you, but from there, you’ll have to navigate your way forward on your own.”
“I can handle it,” Finn says, as Oliver and Mason both nod.
Mason turns to me, brow furrowed in confusion. “And you? I don’t understand. You give Arthur the Star, but it doesn’t work because the Antikythera he has is now suddenly a fake?”
“Something like that,” I reply, my voice betraying more uncertainty than I’d like. I’m not entirely sure how it’ll work.
The situation feels as precarious as the moment I etched my name into that prison cell wall back in 1745 Versailles. If I went back now, in the present day, would my name still be there, declaring myself a member of the AAD?
“Or,” Finn interjects, his tone balancing between joking and serious, “we could clear everyone out and blow the place up.”
“No!” My response is so immediate and intense, it startles everyone. “We can’t do that,” I continue, striving to soften my tone but failing to hide my agitation. “Think of all the masterpieces here. The idea of losing them is too heartbreaking to contemplate.”
Their gazes fix on me, and a sobering realization dawns: I might be more like Arthur than I ever wanted to admit. The mere thought of destroying these treasures, erasing them from existence, strikes a chord so profound, I find myself completely choked up.
Finn raises his hands in a gesture of compliance. “All right,” he says, with a nod. “We’ll stick with your plan. And Godspeed to us all.”
Oliver is the first to extend his hand. We join ours atop his, forming a united front. Our gold signet AAD rings catch the light, and for the first time in ages, a surge of genuine optimism courses through me. Maybe, just maybe, we stand a good chance.
At the very least, it’s heartening to know we’re not alone in our willingness to take a stand and do what’s right.
Amid our newfound resolve, the sudden, sharp peal of six slabs chiming at once blares through the room, jarring us all.
“Seriously?” Oliver sighs in frustration, as we each break away to check our devices.
Braxton gets to his first, so I edge closer, resting against his shoulder to peer at the screen.
Your Presence is requested!
Braxton looks at me, confusion creasing his brow. “What the hell?”
I understand his concern. It’s reminiscent of the invitations we receive for Trips. Worried, we continue to read.
When: Tonight, 8:00 pm
Where: Halcyon
What: Saturnalia Gala
Why: A celebration to honor all your hard work
“Damn,” Braxton mutters under his breath. “Looks like Arthur’s accelerating his plans.”
Mason looks puzzled. “I don’t get it,” he says. “What’s a Saturnalia?”
Just moments before, I didn’t know, either. But now, the explanation rolls off my tongue as if I’ve known all along.
“It’s a tradition from ancient Rome,” I explain. “A festival to honor Saturn. During Saturnalia, societal norms were flipped upside down—slaves were served by their masters, laws were relaxed, and everyone embraced freedom and festivity. It was a time of chaos and celebration. I’m sure Arthur has plans to turbocharge this event, turning it into one last blowout party to celebrate all he’s achieved and the utopia he believes he’s about to usher in.”
Mason’s hand sweeps through the air, encompassing the room. “So, this is it. Whether we choose to leave, or Arthur forces us out, he’s gearing up for the finale, the end of Gray Wolf Academy as we know it.”
I nod, concern threading through my voice. “You okay with this?”
Without hesitation, Mason says, “Yeah, I’m ready.”
Turning to Braxton, Keane says, “Looks like you’re Tripping tonight. Think you can manage that?”
The mere thought sets my stomach roiling. In theory, it all seemed so feasible. In practice, the stakes have never been higher.
What if Braxton can’t find his way back?
And even if he does, what will he be coming back to?
He certainly can’t return here.
I glance at Keane, panic spreading across my face. He reads my expression and quickly reassures me. “I’ll make sure he’s not left behind. He’ll get to where he needs to be, on both ends of his Trip. Trust me.”
“You’re really willing to risk that?” I ask, my voice wavering.
“What risk?” Keane says firmly. “I’m as much a part of this as anyone. I’ve helped Arthur chase this dream. The weight of what’s happening isn’t just on your shoulders. Many of us have played our parts in this, so don’t think I’m stepping back now. I deserve a chance at redemption as much as anyone.”
Redemption— the thing Killian also claims to desire. Well, for their sakes, I hope they both find it.
Oliver stands, with Finn rising beside him. “We’ve got a Saturnalia party to prepare for. And I, for one, intend to dress the part.”
Braxton and I also rise, watching as our friends leave the room. Once we’re alone and the door closes behind them, Braxton turns to me with a serious look and says, “I have something for you.”