Chapter 42 Roran
Roran
Why isn’t he back yet?
It’s been almost a day since Luca said he was on the way. Where is he even coming from?
Diana doesn’t have much time—we need to act fast.
I lean back on the sofa in the entrance floor of Malec’s house, my gaze climbing the high ceiling above me. It’s so tall, it makes me feel small every time I look at it.
I’m used to rooms that choke me. Now I sleep in a stunning guest room next to Chris’s. Spacious. Calming. The bedding is lavender and white, the furniture a sleek gray. And those glass walls open up to a private world—quiet, clean, safe.
Diana would love it here. She once used to dream big…
Diana slips into the bathroom, barefoot and sniffling. I’m crouched by the tub, pressing gauze against my thigh before the blood reaches the tile.
Solas’s belt didn’t leave a single patch of clear skin.
Her eyes widen. “You’re bleeding,” she whispers, voice trembling in that small, careful way that makes me want to fold her into my chest and hide her from everything.
I shake my head. “Just a scratch. I fell.”
A five-year-old shouldn’t see this. Shouldn't imagine it could happen somehow else.
She doesn’t buy it.
She kneels beside me, tiny fingers brushing the longest whip mark. I fight the squint when it burns, masking it with a smile.
Her lower lip trembles, then steadies. “When I be big enough,” she says, “I’m going to be the world’s most famous doctor. I’ll fix you. I’ll fix everyone. I’d save lives!”
She says it like she’s announcing a miracle, like the world listens when she makes promises.
I nod, swallowing the burn in my throat and behind my eyes.“You will,” I whisper. “You’ll be the best one.”
She beams at that—a grin with a missing tooth, pure and proud, like she’s already done it. Then she leans forward and blows softly on the wounds, believing it could make the hurt go away.
I laugh under my breath—a broken sound that barely makes it past my lips.
She doesn’t know how I got it.
Not yet.
Someday she will, and it’ll break something in her I can never fix. So I let her believe.
I lost my dreams and hopes. I won’t let her lose hers.
I shake off the memory burning in my chest and let the silence settle again. But everything inside me says this is the quiet before the storm.
I let out a breath, just as Kayla starts descending the stairs, still singing that annoying pop song stuck in her head the past few hours. Way too upbeat for the weight sitting in mine.
I tilt my head toward the sound, neck resting on the back of the sofa, hair falling to one side.
“Roran?” Her solo ends with a smug little grin. “Chris finally annoyed you, too? Came to the right place.”
Her chuckle burns through me. Would she be Diana’s first friend?
If she makes it...
I bite the inside of my cheek, forcing a smile. “I’m actually waiting for your brother.”
No need to lie or hide anymore.
“Oh.” She scoffs, then pauses. “He should be here any moment. He arrived at the bea—”
She chokes. “—Abert went to pick him up.”
I raise a brow. The don’t try to bullshit me one.
Now I’m wondering what she really meant earlier, about offering help, and why Chris stopped her. Why do they all look like they’re hiding something worse than bloodshed and crime?
“Anyway,” she cuts the tension, dropping eye contact, “he’ll be here any second. Do you think you could convince him to let me join you on this?”
She plops down beside me on the sofa. Her eyes flick to my legs—just for a second—before meeting mine again, probably scanning for the scars.
“Please.”
Good thing I’m wearing Chris’s long pink training pants. I don’t want any more pity looks.
I sit up straighter. “What makes you think he’d listen to me?”
I almost laugh at the idea.
“Don’t tell me you’re that blind.” She rolls her eyes. “He looks at you like you’re a fresh pearl lobster. Just move your ass a little, bat your lashes, and he’ll say yes.”
I snort out a laugh. “He looks at me like he regrets not killing me before agreeing to help save Diana.”
“Gods,” she groans, pressing her palm to her face. “You really don’t know my brother, huh?”
What does she mean by that?
“My brother doesn’t do deals. It’s his way or no way.
And Malec? He never does… this.” She gestures to all of me.
“He doesn’t even flinch at women—no matter how pretty.
He grew up with only us as girls around, and he’s had too much on his shoulders to care about anyone else’s problems, or girls who came knocking on the door half naked.
And then you show up—”
Half naked?
“He needs me for something, that’s all,” I cut her off. “I promised to stay and work for him if he helps Diana.”
She’s too young to understand what kind of motives a man like him has.
“You’ve watched too many romantic movies.” I wave her off.
The front door opens before she can argue.
And there he is.
The man I’ve been waiting for.
He looks… fresh. Not like someone who just went to war. Or whatever illegal shit he went to play.
His eyes find mine—lock there.
Fuck. Why is my heart pounding so fast?
His gaze slides over my face… then down to my legs.
Is that a smirk?
Kayla’s words echo in my head.
Damn it. Don’t you dare go there, Roran.
I stand, trying to steady my breath, when a new face enters behind him. A girl. Clinging to his arm, scanning the room.
Her eyes are like his—except pitch black. Onyx gem.
She’s short. Fragile. The complete opposite of me. A sharp stab hits my chest.
Didn’t Kayla say he didn’t have any girls here but family?
Who is she?
Why the hell can’t I breathe?
He disappeared for three days… for her?
Bay, Alessio, and Pedro step in behind them, cutting off the spiral of thoughts.
“Kayla, I need you to—” Bay stops when she sees me. “I need you to come upstairs.”
Kayla doesn’t ask questions. She walks toward Bay like she’s following some secret signal.
But I’m locked on her. The small, pretty girl.
“This is Onyx,” Bay gestures to her. “She’ll be staying with us for a while. Make her feel welcome.”
Kayla raises a brow, scanning her. “That’s why Abert took one of my dresses before he left…”
Great. She’s even wearing their clothes. If I’m being replaced, does that mean Malec will break our deal?
No. No. Focus.
I tilt my head—and his silver eyes are already locked on me. Burning.
I’m not playing this game.
“I don’t know if anyone updated you,” I say quickly, “but I have a plan that could help us find the Red Dock—and Diana. Your father wanted to wait for you.”
His eyes widen. Then they shoot daggers toward Abert behind him.
He clearly wasn’t updated. And clearly, it isn’t okay with that. “You know the Red Dock’s location?” he asks, voice dropping.
Onyx breathes something next to us, but I don’t spare her a glance. Why does she irritate me so much?
“I don’t. But I have a plan that might lead us there. It’s dangerous—”
“I’m in,” he cuts me off. His voice sharpens, cold.
“And don’t get it twisted—I’m gonna burn it to the ground.”
His eyes go icy. A flicker of blue light sparks inside them before vanishing.
Did I imagine that?
I blink just to make sure.
“Get Diana out of there. With my medicine. And you can dance on my father’s ashes for all I care.
Just—hurry. If she’s still in there, every second counts.”
That chill runs down my spine again.
Please, don’t make me beg again.
“We’re going up,” Bay says, taking Onyx’s arm and leading her to the stairs. Kayla follows silently.
Only now I notice Onyx is walking strangely. Unsteady, like she’s drunk… or injured?
I bite my lower lip. If Malec caused that, why would she cling to him like he’s her savior?
I’m about to turn back to look at him, but then he leans in.
Too close.
Close enough to hear my heartbeat.
“You keep biting your lip like that,” he murmurs over my nose, “and you’ll add another problem to my list.”
He smells like saltwater. Exactly how I’ve always imagined the sea would smell. I swallow hard and step back. I need space. I need air.
He smirks again. And I see red.
“You brought home another toy—” I motion toward the stairs. “Don’t play these games with me. Please, Maleciandro. I need your help.”
He raises a brow, glancing in the direction I pointed.
“A toy?” He scoffs.
“You’re not jealous, are you?” A chuckle escapes his lips. Low and grating on my nerves.
Jealous? Me?
“You love yourself too much, Maleciandro.” I snap. “Now, can we please move on?”
A rusted growl rolls off his lips. “I love how my name slides off your tongue, Ror,” he says, drawing my nickname out slow and teasing. Makes it land with a closeness that shouldn’t be there.
“But you don’t need to be so formal. We’re gonna be spending a lot of time together…”
The way he says it, I don’t know if I should be terrified or thrilled.
“Call me Malec.”
My fingers twitch to fidget with my pants. Anything to distract from this tension.
“…Malec.” I breathe out.
That devil’s grin spreads. His silver eyes gleam. “Good girl.”
Heat flashes under my skin.
Did he just…?
I hold my breath as his gaze shifts—eyes locked on something near my cheek.
“There’s a small thing I need to handle first. Then tell me about that plan,” he says as he straightens, pointing to the sofa.
Finally. An excuse to step back.
“Wait for me here.”
I nod, heart still pounding.
Diana, I’m coming.
Just hold on a little longer. Please.