Chapter 28 #2
“The Triton family,” I completed the sentence, my gut churning with acid. “That was why they were trying to keep you from going below.”
“Oh gods,” Ursuline choked out, their eyes widening, and their whole body locking up like they were in rigor mortis. Like they’d died a little bit with their family. “Everyone?”
“Mining accident,” Jason said. “Your parents and younger sibling got caught. Jaris…didn’t want to go on without them.”
Oh fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Bile rose in my throat. Ursuline sat beside me unmoving, as their whole world crumpled apart. They’d sacrificed years of their life to servitude under Frederick’s hand, and the family had known all along they were stringing Ursuline along.
A newfound rage kindled inside me, one that warred with the anguish that emanated from Ursuline, that dwelled in my chest at everything they’d lost. At the way their loyalty had been betrayed.
“They never said a word,” Ursuline whispered, staring at the surface of the table. “Just kept me working like a cog in the machine.”
My throat burned, and so did my eyes with tears that begged to unleash. I placed the mug in my hands down, because they were shaking.
Ursuline’s family was dead.
All their work, all their effort, all their sacrifice was for nothing.
“Excuse me,” they said, and they pushed up from their seat, their tentacles trembling as they glided in the direction of the restrooms.
“I’ll be right back,” I said to Jason, who nodded somberly. My feet carried me across the tiles after them, whether they wanted company or not. I couldn’t abandon them. Not now.
I pushed into the restroom, but they weren’t in the main area.
A shuddery sob resounded across the tiles, coming from the large stall in the back. I rushed over and rested my hand on the handle.
Another sob echoed through the room.
“Can I come in?” I asked, adrenaline rocketing through my whole body, like I needed to fight something.
Except the person who’d caused this was the one we ran from.
Ursuline didn’t respond, but the lock on the door clicked, and I took that as a cue I was welcome.
Ursuline barely had space in the stall as they curled on one side, and I wouldn’t be able to squeeze in on the other.
Instead, I locked the door then sank onto their lap, slowly, making sure my presence was welcome and not too much.
The visible shudder that ran through Ursuline as I settled there had me tempted to bolt, but then they wrapped their arms around me to clutch me tight. Their face buried into my chest, their nails dug in, and I squeezed them hard, not wanting to let them go.
Another sob escaped them, and my tears began to sting. My heart ached like someone had torn it out of my chest at seeing Ursuline undone like this. At the cruelty that had been inflicted on them for fucking years.
They deserved so much better. They deserved freedom and love and loyalty. They deserved long, passionate nights and gentle, quiet mornings. I wanted to give them all of it.
A few tears slipped down my cheeks as I clutched them tight. Condolences felt paltry in the moment, and I couldn’t bring the dead back. All I could do was stay here by their side now. Let them take off the armor they’d donned.
“I should’ve fucking figured it out,” they said, their voice ragged. “The letters the past few years…the frequency. The distant tone. Fuck, everything.”
I squeezed them again, as if I could offer them some of my own soul in the process. “They didn’t want you to know. They were careful because you’re clever, not the opposite.”
A wounded sound erupted from Ursuline’s throat, the combination of a sob and a howl, and fuck. I couldn’t imagine how devastating this news was. Maybe because I’d never had the sort of family they did.
However, I did understand how it felt to be betrayed. How it felt to be used, just an object for an endgame you weren’t even a part of.
And the Triton family was responsible.
My gut churned. Arielle had been aware. She’d smiled and laughed and acted carefree, all while knowing they kept Ursuline here unfairly. Knowing they should be free.
“I didn’t think…” they said, a slight tinge of horror in their voice. “When I said my goodbye before coming to the surface, it was never supposed to be the final one.”
Oh gods. My eyes watered anew, and I shut them as hot tears streamed down my cheeks. My chest ached. They’d lost everything. Everything they’d sacrificed all these years had been for…nothing.
I wasn’t sure how long we sat here in the quiet of the bathroom, holding each other like life preservers in a storm. Time melted away, until all that existed was the heat of their skin, their heavy breaths, and the press of their body. The reminder that we were here, and we were alive.
Jason was probably still waiting for us out in the diner, but I didn’t feel the need to rush back to him.
If anyone would understand the weight of the news Jason had delivered, he would.
And he wasn’t someone who had an issue with sitting in the quiet either.
I refused to budge while Ursuline needed me.
They’d been alone up here for so long, working for that horrific family, but they weren’t on their own any longer.
For as long as we had, I’d be by their side.
“Shit, I thought I could handle myself better,” they muttered, swiping at their eyes.
I pressed a kiss on their forehead. “You haven’t managed to out cry me, so I think you’re fine.”
Ursuline’s lips twitched the slightest bit, and I internally cheered at the win. Their expression was haunted, from the ghosts they hadn’t realized were following them around all this time, but the reflexes of their humor still existed.
“We should get up,” they said. “I just left Jason out there, and we can’t stay in one place for too long.”
I tilted my head to the side. “Are you sure? Take whatever time you need. Jason probably sketched out a whole new piece on the napkins, and no one has entered this bathroom since we’ve been in it.”
Ursuline offered a strained smile, more of their lips pressing together in a tight line.
They weren’t okay, but they pushed forward regardless, doing what needed to be done.
I leaned in and squeezed them tight once more.
Their scent was sharp, currants and brine, and I soaked it in, the feel of them, how they were here and real, even though they’d just shattered to pieces.
“I’ll be by your side no matter what,” I murmured into their ear.
They squeezed me back. “That’s the only reason I’m still fighting.”
I swallowed hard, my eyes burning again. Fuck.
My mind spun with the news dropped into our lap, even though I’d had a sneaking suspicion ever since I’d overheard the conversation between Arielle and her mother.
The more stories that stacked up about the Triton family, the more I was grateful I’d run, even if I wasn’t sure where my destination would be.
I pushed up off my spot on their lap first, my legs creaking with the motion. Then we made our way to the sinks. Ursuline splashed water on their face, but I didn’t bother. I’d never been good at donning a mask anyway.
I strode out of the bathroom first and spotted Jason in the same booth we’d left him. He hunched forward, his pencil in hand and his gaze intent on the table. When I got closer, as I’d expected, he was sketching out a piece on the napkins.
“Hey,” I said, grabbing his attention. “Sorry we were in there so long.”
Jason nodded. “I never wanted to bring that news.”
“I’m glad you did,” Ursuline said from behind me, their voice somehow sturdy. “I now know that the contract between me and the Triton family is void. I’ll take any bargaining chip I can get.”
“The server cleared your cups, but I can ask them to bring more,” Jason offered, though he squinted at Ursuline. “Except you’re heading out.”
I shook my head, warmth flowing through me. Jason was as blunt and insightful as usual. “I’ll message you when we get to safety.”
“Do so,” Jason said with a firm nod.
“Thank you,” Ursuline said. “For finding out.”
Jason nodded, but I didn’t expect more of a response.
With that, Ursuline took the lead out of the Starlight Diner.
The moment we stepped back into the sunlight, my skin prickled.
A sense of alertness pumped through my veins, probably because Triton’s men could be prowling anywhere out here.
The streets were busy, filled with cars bustling by and people on a stroll or brisk walk.
“Where is your apartment?” I asked as we stepped onto the sidewalk.
“I live about ten minutes from here,” Ursuline said. “A little spot in the arts district.”
My chest squeezed. Of course that was where they’d be—the exact area of the city I’d always wanted to live in. Everything about the way we came together, how we infused into each other’s lives, felt a bit fated.
A shadow from the alley to my right drew my attention.
Too late.
One moment, Ursuline was walking by my side.
The next, three men dressed in black with masks over their faces surrounded them.
Their eyes widened, and they twisted around.
The second they saw the men in the nondescript uniforms, they froze.
My gaze snagged on the Alpha Blue symbols on their shoulders.
A scream tried to rip past my lips, but it wouldn’t emerge.
“Get the Liquidium Industries file,” Ursuline shouted, snagging my attention. “Get Sofia.”
The men snagged Ursuline, dragging them back into the alley, and my whole body rocketed into panic.
Yet my limbs wouldn’t move. All I could see was the flash of fear widening their eyes, their arms flying up in defense.
The twirl of their tentacles as they tried to fight off these kidnappers.
One of the men slammed a fist into their stomach, and another smashed the butt of one of their weapons against their back.
Ursuline’s jaw dropped, and a howl emerged from them, one that made my cells vibrate with panic.
My mind spun, my legs begged to run, my insides rioted as wave after wave of panic crashed over me. One moment, Ursuline was struggling against their grip as they yanked them deeper into the shadows. The next, they’d vanished around the corner.
Gone.
I stood there, frozen, as my partner, my soulmate, was dragged away.