Infinity Lost Read Online Free

his trousers and his cavernous nostrils. A wave of his hand is followed by the deep slow tones of his refined bass voice.
    “Right this way, gentlemen.”
    There’s a bustle of shoes and legs and ties and beards and nostrils. Hands clutch briefcases and folders and documents, fat cigars puff thick plumes of smoke, booming voices and laughter echo off the marble of the foyer.
    I stare into the group, searching faces, waiting for the moment when they all stand aside and the man from the photograph rushes forward and scoops me up into his arms. He’ll swing me around, kiss me on the cheek, and tell me how wonderful it is that we are finally together. He’ll be so sorry that we’ve been apart for so long. He’ll tell me that he loves me and that he thinks about me all the time, like I do about him. I’m so excited that my nerves get the better of me and I hide behind the safety of Mariele’s skirt.
    I spot Jonah out of the corner of my eye. He’s behind us, heading into the hallway under the stairs that lead to the southern wing. He gives me an uncharacteristic look of concern that worsens my nerves, before smiling and disappearing down the darkened passage.
    “Welcome, gentlemen,” Reynolds announces to the visitors. “Dr. Blackstone sends his most heartfelt apologies that he is not here to greet you in person, but I assure you that he will address you all via video conference later this evening.”
    A few disgruntled grumblings issue from the group. A pang of sorrow grips my little heart and it sinks right through the floor, through the ground, out the other side of the world and into the cold, lonely darkness of space.
    “May I present the staff,” Reynolds says, motioning toward the twenty footmen, maids, and servers. They all bow and curtsy accordingly.
    The men walk down the line behind Reynolds until eventually they reach the end. “And this is Dr. Blackstone’s daughter.”
    I peek out from behind Mariele, tears beginning to pool in my eyes.
    All of the men lean in, their eyes glaring scarily at me like I’m an animal at the zoo. They whisper and nudge each other. The ones behind peer over the others’ shoulders. They gawk down at me like they’ve never seen a little girl before.
    “There she is,” says one.
    “Incredible,” whispers another.
    They’re so taken with me that Reynolds has to clear his throat and step in between us to get their attention.
    “Gentlemen, the chef is preparing a wonderful, ten-course, gourmet meal for you this evening, but for now, if you would please follow me into the red drawing room, refreshments are being served.”
    They all follow Reynolds through the archway like a gaggle of suited geese, muttering and whispering and glaring back at me as they go.
    I feel extremely uneasy and, for the first time in my life . . . abandoned. Unsure of what to do, I stand with the servants as Nanny gives them detailed, last-minute reminders of what will be expected of them tonight. She talks about how important our guests are, how their every whim must be catered to. She drones on and on, and before long her voice becomes nothing but a dull warbling in my ears. I stare at the door, broken-hearted. I feel so stupid to have expected so much from a man who has promised me nothing.
    “Dismissed,” commands Nanny Theresa. She nods to the servants and they quickly disperse back to their duties. Father is not here. Just like every other day. I decide to slink away to my room. “Come child,” Nanny Theresa barks as her knobbly fingers reach toward my little wrist like five gnarled twigs on a withered old tree.
    “The men would like to see you properly.”

    I sit bolt upright. The bright sunlight streaming through the dorm-room windows stings my eyes and I feel like I haven’t slept a wink all night. Bettina’s bed is empty and already made. Crap. I’m gonna be late for class. In a flurry of mismatched socks, rumpled skirt and blouse, and mystery-mustard-spotted tie, I’m up and