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something closer to surprise than horror.
    When I finally reached my aunt, she put her arm around my waist and pulled me close to her while smiling at the small crowd still gathered. Headmaster Stewart remained nearby but was, I noted, actively tracking Daniel Astor’s progress through the room. Good. I needed her distracted. Aunt Tessa lowered her voice and started to say, “Lainey, did you see—?” before I cut her off.
    â€œI know, Auntie. I saw him. It’s amazing, isn’t it?” I hoped she couldn’t feel my hands shaking.
    She nodded and glanced back at the rapidly approaching senator. I had to get this taken care of before he reached us. “His resemblance is so…I can’t even…But who is he?” she asked. “Do you know?”
    I giggled softly, like this was only a strange coincidence and no big deal, and kept my voice as low as my aunt’s. “Of course I know who he is. He’s Senator Astor, Carter’s uncle. The girl Jillian’s father too, remember? He’s also like the most important alum in the world right now.” Here was my one chance to get her to drop it and I had to make it good. “So
please
don’t say anything,” I pleaded. “Please? It’s just too weird. I don’t want to make him feel uncomfortable and I…I don’t want to talk about what happened to Mom and Dad tonight. Okay?” I threw in that last part on an inspired whim; it was actually harder for
her
to talk about them than it was for me.
    She eyed me for a moment but then nodded in agreement. “Okay, I won’t say anything. Yes, I promise,” she added when I gave her a skeptical stare. My aunt was known for being chatty and rarely holding back what she wanted to say. “Honestly though, I’ll have a hard time not staring at him.”
    â€œIt’s okay,” I replied. “Everyone stares at him. See, even the headmaster.” I gestured to Dr. Stewart, whose eyes still followed Senator Astor’s every move. “I think he’s probably used to it.”
    It was my aunt’s turn to giggle, and if I hadn’t been so freaked out by my own thoughts I would have realized that should have worried me. “He’s certainly handsome, just like…well, you know. Yes, I’m sure he gets stares all the time.”
    He was also almost to us. Aunt Tess and I both put on our best smiles, hers completely natural, mine the best approximation I could come up with, just as Dr. Stewart stepped into our line of sight.
    â€œSenator,” she said smoothly and reached to shake his hand. “So good to see you, and thank you for attending. It’s an honor to have you at such a unique event in the Academy’s history.” I wondered if I was the only one who realized the headmaster was a tiny bit in love with Senator Astor.
    â€œConstance,” he replied, grasping her hand in both of his. His voice was rich and warm, an extension of his charming smile, and as I observed them, I changed my mind. I probably wasn’t the only one aware of the headmaster’s feelings. “Lovely to see you, as always. And it is my honor to be here tonight. I only wish I’d been in time for the initial introduction, which I understand was extraordinary.”
    He turned to my aunt and me then and, if possible, turned on his considerable charm even more. I’d always thought Carter was especially charming and now I knew where he’d learned it. “Ms. Espinosa, I presume? Along with my nephew’s winsome girlfriend? What a beautiful pair you make, almost as much a work of art as your magnificent installation. Pleasure to meet you. I’m Daniel Astor.”
    He extended his hand to my usually confident and unflappable aunt who—no joke—grasped it demurely and glanced down at her feet before meeting his undeniably appreciative gaze. Tiny warning bells sounded in my head, but they were faint