Chapter 5 Diamonds #3
"Vesperin." Lucien tasted his Soulbond’s name on his tongue. "I will free you. Tonight. When everyone sleeps, you and I will run away."
He did not know how much of his words she understood, but she gave a hesitant smile…
It had been such an effort to stand straight and not fall to his knees as the memories hit him.
As her death had hit him. They hadn’t even made it past the gate surrounding the research compound before the first attack had hit.
The guards had taken them down easily. Earth Stella to trip them, Fire Stella to surround them in swaths of flames, and Air Stella to supply their bodies with too much oxygen, leaving them passed out and pliant.
The royal house had executed her first, forcing Lucien to watch as a Waterborn executioner crafted a pool in the center of the room, forcing her under.
Lucien had not met such a cold, lonely end.
His death had been fiery. An example of the cost of rebellion—burned before the masses, the only thing that had made it all worth it, was knowing he could look for her in his next life…
In this life, the only reason Lucien hadn’t fallen on the ground in anguish was that Vesperin stared at him like nothing had changed, like he was still the older boy she was trying to impress, as she flipped on her trampoline while he ran out to check the mail.
That had led him into a spiral of research—why did she not remember?
And his research had led him to Blackfall Industries.
The founders of which were living at the same house she had gone to spend the night as a child with their son, Kiton Blackfall. The same man he had come to know right before the accident five years ago.
Lucien had been pulled into Blackfall Industries and their corruption as he had risen to be one of the top doctors in Solar City. When the most influential science and research group wanted you to do something? You did not refuse.
Not if you wanted to live.
It was a morbid mirror of his past life, a trap he had fallen into and did not know how to break free of. This time, he would not have it end in their deaths. Never again.
Lucien removed his glasses, scrubbing a hand over his eyes.
"Damn it," he breathed. "I love you, Vesperin, but you are so hard to keep safe."
"It did not sound like love when you were playing god with her fate."
The voice filled the room, and Lucien stood, vines curling around his wrists as he called for his Earth Stella to protect him.
"Who’s there? This is a private office. How did you get in here?"
From the shadows stepped a man cloaked in white with a gleaming scythe at his back.
"The Soul Searcher," Lucien said, not letting his Stella seep back into his skin. "I wondered where you had run off to."
"There is no place that can be hidden from the likes of me, Lucien Quenlan," said the Soul Searcher. "Nor are there any secrets that can be kept." He stalked forward, trailing a gloved finger over the top of Lucien’s desk.
Every file on there was incriminating. Goddamn it.
"What does a Soul Searcher want with a Hunter trainee?" Lucien inquired, forcing his shoulders to relax. He would not be ruffled—not in his own space.
"I have a vested interest in Vesperin Vox. That includes keeping her safe from corrupt doctors." The soft zing of his scythe was Lucien’s only warning as it was held before his throat. "I will ask only once: who was on the phone?"
That, Lucien had no qualms about revealing, not even stopping to wonder how the Soul Searcher had heard him on the phone. "Talor Blackfall."
He could handle any questions, except those about Vesperin and what she was to him.
If they found out… She would be used as collateral.
Right now, Talor and Sabine thought he was her mere doctor.
His clinical indifference could be explained away.
But if they knew she was more, they would exploit him until he was drained dry.
Until they forced her to be more subject than human.
Already, the line was blurred by her adoptive parents.
They had been obsessed with her as an Aetherborn ever since she was young, but now, with Nova in her heart, she was the perfect creation.
Better than anything they could cook up in their lab.
Lucien would rather die than give her up—than do anything to hurt her.
The Soul Searcher lifted the manila folder, flipping through it, one hand still holding the wicked edge of the scythe against Lucien’s throat.
"I have my eye on you, Lucien Quenlan." He snapped the file folder shut.
"I am taking this with me. Don’t try to stop me.
If you ever do anything to hurt her, I will find you and reap your Soul.
But I will not send you to the Stars—I will let you wander until the Nova corrupts you, and you become a Rogue. "
In a soft whoosh, the man sliced his scythe through the air at Lucien’s side, rending the very air in two.
He stepped through the portal, and it closed behind him, leaving Lucien alone.
Lucien was in deep, deep trouble.
"I’m fine. I promise, Kit. Really." Rin was sitting up on the bed. Her IV had been removed, as well as all the other equipment. "It’s been three days. I feel back to normal, now." She reached forward, grabbing her adoptive brother’s hands. "I wouldn’t lie to you. I just want to get out of here. I’m going crazy. "
For more than one reason—her mind kept replaying the image of the Rogues, falling in a heap on the ground, before Rin herself had succumbed to unconsciousness.
Kit scrubbed a hand over the soft shadow of unshaven hair on his jawline. He looked so haggard; she hated it.
"Can you blame me, Rin? I got the call about what happened when I was hours away," he stressed. "I never want to feel that way again—like you could die before I ever get to see you again."
Rin swallowed. "I’m sorry."
He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand, soft and sweet. It made her stomach do tiny little flips. What was happening to her?
"What’s this about a Soul Searcher?" he asked, staring down at their joined hands.
"I met him on my first mission, and he was there again. I… hate to say it, but I’m glad he was there that night." She forced a laugh, but none of this was amusing. "I may have been eaten by the Rogues if not."
"I’m glad he was there, too, then," said Kit. "Anyone who keeps you safe has a life debt from me."
In a way, the nameless Soul Searcher and her adoptive brother were similar—both seemed driven by protection and honor, with a fierce, loyal code that even Rin did not strictly adhere to.
She wondered what would happen if they ever met. But quickly shoved the thought aside. The Soul Searcher was probably gone, scared off by what she had done.
They were interrupted by a knock at the door. It opened slowly, and the funny feeling in her stomach only increased when she saw Lucien standing there, black hair perfectly styled and not one wrinkle on his doctor’s coat.
"Vesperin," Lucien greeted, pushing the door open fully and walking inside. He paused when he saw Kit, eyes flicking down to their joined hands. "Kiton." His tone was strained.
Kit released her hand and sat back. "Dr. Quenlan, please tell Rin that she’s not ready to go home."
Lucien lifted a clipboard. "Actually…" He looked up, green eyes dark behind his glasses.
"You’re being discharged. Your heart has returned to normal—well, normal for you.
We have no reason to keep you here any longer; however, you are strongly advised against returning to your training for the next week.
I will be sending you out with a notice of leave. "
He set the clipboard down at the foot of her bed, fingers brushing her foot under the blanket. She jolted, but he pulled his hand away without blinking. He didn’t flinch, didn’t apologize for touching her. Just went on speaking, as if the burn he left behind wasn’t still there.
"If you encounter problems with your superiors, have them talk to me. I will not allow my patient to be put in harm’s way when she’s healing."
"Really, I can go home?" She rubbed a hand over her aching chest with a wince. Her very bones felt bruised and sore.
Lucien nodded, reaching down to settle a pale, elegant hand over her knee. "Take it slow and easy. I’ve spoken with Sabine and Talor already. They want you to go home with Kiton for a bit to rest."
Rin hadn’t heard a word from her adoptive parents. Kit had told her they called, all frantic, but nothing directly to her. Not even a text from Xara. Keir had sent a short message, telling her to get her strength up, but nothing else. She tried not to let it sting.
The only one who mattered was in this room.
She looked at Kit. "Is that okay with you? I don’t want to bother you if you’ve already gotten used to the house to yourself."
Kit rolled his eyes. "That place is too big alone. I miss you. I always want you with me, Rin."
"I’ll have a wheelchair sent up. Hospital protocol. I believe Kiton has all your things." Lucien cleared his throat. "Vesperin, I mean it. There is no shame in stepping away. I—the people in this room care about you. No one wants to see you die."
It was the most concern Rin had ever seen the stoic doctor show.
She missed the way things used to be. When they were neighbors. Before both of them had become orphans… It was something that kept them tethered.
"Thank you, Dr. Lucien. But I am going to die." She searched his green eyes, willing him to understand. Why didn’t anyone understand? "I want it to be on my terms, doing something that I can be proud of. If I curl into myself to add a few measly years onto my life, that is not truly living."
Kit visibly stiffened, but remained quiet, just as he did anytime she brought up her impending death.
Lucien sighed deeply, the sound haunted, almost. "You need to think this through, Vesperin. I never want you to be back here like this again. I never want to see you, pale and lifeless, in a hospital bed, hooked up to machines to keep your heart beating."