Chapter 23
“How did you come to that conclusion?” Leo straightened in his seat, his eyes darting from his tablet to Samson as if the answer lay somewhere in between.
“I heard about glass when I first came to Andloor. The properties of it were…familiar. It was the reason I joined the Law Enforcement Division. After going over the research with you, Leo, my initial thought was, if the effects were permanent, Andloor Capitol could create super soldiers with it. It was always my suspicions. Between the information I received from an informant today and this new information, my suspicions are even more valid. It’s all clicking into place now. ”
“Which is why they have such an interest in studying glass. This whole time I thought they accidentally created it.” Leo let out a low whistle as realization dawned on his face.
“Exactly.” Samson pursed his lips.
“And the only reason they haven’t been able to make super soldiers yet, is because the effects don’t last long enough.
It essentially wears off and the user has to continue taking it, but each time it’s taken the glass has less of a reaction.
Kind of like a half-life, what we learned about in science class for radioactive material, which would make sense because that is one of the properties of glass from what you told me.
” Esmie concluded, tapping a finger on her chin.
“You really are as intelligent as your brother.” Samson smirked. Esmie hoped she wasn’t blushing when Leo glanced her way.
“She’s alright I guess.” Leo went back to typing on the keyboard connected to his large tablet, ducking in time before the pillow Esmie threw, pummeled him in the face.
“Mindy mentioned there were rumors Tyler Brackford was the one who actually founded glass. Maybe the contract they are trying to win is creating super soldiers with purple glass since Tyler knew the properties better than anyone?” Esmie couldn’t help but touch her face.
Samson caught her movement, and she quickly put her hand back in her lap, avoiding his gaze.
“Possibly.” The tone in Samson’s voice indicated he knew more than he was letting on.
“Which is why I’m checking the Laboratory’s files to see if there was any noted change.
Last my research showed, all subjects who had ingested purple glass died within twenty-four hours.
You, Quita, are the only one who has survived beyond the time frame with no appearance of any degradation in your system.
While I’m grateful to Elohim, the longer purple glass stays in your system, the more in danger you are. ”
“Why?” Esmie wrapped her arms around herself, forcing her hands not to fly to her face again.
“Being unfamiliar with the properties of purple glass, it can still be unstable which could also make your powers unstable. I’m guessing because you didn’t ingest purple glass, we were able to contain it, thereby giving you a better chance at survival.
But my biggest concern is Genetronetics or the Law Enforcement Divisions’ Lab finding out about you and taking you in for questioning and experimenting.
” Samson’s dark eyes bore into Esmie. Regret laced across his face.
He had put her at risk earlier and he wouldn’t make the same mistake again. She must stay hidden at all costs.
“Are you trying to find a way to cure me?” The question popped out before Esmie could stop herself. Leo stopped typing and peered at her.
“While I want to eventually find a cure, they haven’t been able to create one yet for the other colored glasses.
A cure could take months or even years to find.
For now, I’m trying to find a way to hide the effects on your face so you can go back to Mamá’s and Papi’s.
We can’t keep you hidden forever.” Leo frowned as if he wanted to say more but held back.
“Don’t worry, Esmie. We will do everything in our power to keep you safe.
Promise.” Samson added, most likely in response to the look on Esmie’s face.
His jaw ticked, his resolve firm. While she hadn’t known him that long, something in her gut told her Samson was true to his word.
He would do whatever he could to protect her, as much as her brother would.
While she wanted to feel a sense of relief, she couldn’t help but feel more worried for dragging them into this danger with her.
To say she was terrified was an understatement.
The past two days had been a nice distraction.
She got to visit her brother’s apartment and galivant in the city, but it was always undercover.
Leo was right. It would be impossible to hide forever.
Eventually, she would have to go back to her normal life.
Thinking of the future, overwhelmed her.
The thought of going back scared her just as much as forever having the purple slash on her face.
At this point she knew too much about the world outside of her little suburb of Andola—Brookshire.
The corruption going on was not something she would be able to ignore anymore.
Working in any industry, she would encounter that same corruption as her brother did.
The future she had intended on didn’t seem as shiny and bright anymore.
Her life would never be the same after this.
The realization brought tears to her eyes.
Esmie shoved off the couch, mumbling something about going to the bathroom.
She snapped the door shut and stared at her reflection.
The purple stood out, shimmering in the light.
Deep down she knew she would forever be scarred by this, even if they could wipe the purple from her face.
It would still rest deep within her soul.
Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes.
“Oh, Elohim, what am I supposed to do? I didn’t think disobeying one little rule would cause this much chaos. Where do I go from here? How do I come back from this mess? Please help me.” Esmie whispered the prayer to her reflection.
A soft knock pulled her from her dark thoughts. “Esmie? Are you okay?” Samson’s deep voice was muffled from the door.
“One second,” Esmie responded, splashing water on her face to wash away the tear streaks through her makeup. She dried her face and hands then huffed at her reflection before opening the door.
One look from Samson’s kind gaze almost caused the tears to fall again.
She sucked in a breath to stop herself. His hand reached out, caressing her cheek.
Esmie closed her eyes relishing his touch.
He snuck his hand behind her neck, pulling her into his chest, wrapping his arms around her while she snaked hers around his waist. The tears came again and this time she couldn’t hold them back.
While she hated what was happening to her, it brought her to Samson.
Thinking of going back to her life without seeing him brought an ache to her soul.
How did these feelings become so overwhelming within only a couple days of knowing him?
But Samson was unlike any other man she met.
There was something different about him and the connection they built was unique.
Samson tucked a finger under her chin, lifting her face up to meet his gaze.
“I understand you feel conflicted about all of this. I can’t imagine what you are going through.
The emotions tugging at you. I personally think you are better off with purple glass to prepare you for what’s to come, but I understand your fear and the desire to go back home.
I’ve dealt with those feelings as well since moving here.
The desire to go back to a perceived normal life, but sometimes the destiny Elohim has for us isn’t what we pictured it to be.
This happened for a reason. Let’s figure out first how to control it, before deciding whether you want to cure it or keep it. ”
Esmie nodded, burying her face back into the warmth of Samson’s chest. He smelled of his familiar cologne a mix of cedarwood, vanilla, and white musk.
There definitely was something different about him and their connection.
Maybe it was because of her dire circumstances and his desire to help.
Maybe they did have true feelings for each other.
Either way, she felt a closeness to him she hadn’t felt with anyone else, except her family, Mindy, and Tessa of course.
But even Mindy and Tessa wouldn’t understand what she was going through, especially her conflicting emotions about having purple glass.
Yet he understood. The way he looked at her, even with the purple on her face, was evident he thought she was beautiful either way.
She didn’t want to imagine the looks her friends would give if they ever saw her face.
Furthermore, maybe Samson was right. What if she was chosen for this very reason to carry this burden?
Was it really a burden? She wouldn’t know until she dived further into her powers and this life.
What if Elohim allowed this to happen to bring Samson into her life?
The thought of having a life with him was enticing.
One she couldn’t deny but knew she should.
At least until she could figure out this purple glass situation.
With a deep sigh, Esmie pulled away, immediately missing Samson’s warmth.
There seemed to be a calming power about him.
She could feel his strength with her powers, but she wasn’t sure if it was her powers, or just her.
This was all new to her, including these feelings for him.
He tucked her hair behind her ears, cupping her face with his large hands. “Better?”
She nodded but it wasn’t the full truth.
What would make her feel better was to figure out what was going on with her, her future, and these feelings for him.
Esmie’s eyelashes fluttered, as she felt heat creeping up her neck.
Samson bent lower, his breath on her cheek.
Was he about to kiss her? Would she let him?
The desire within her told her absolutely yes.
“Did she answer the door, Samson?” Leo shouted from the couch. Samson jerked his hands away from Esmie’s cheeks. She turned from him to hide her embarrassment. In the reflection of the mirror, she saw Samson rub his hands down his face, a frustrated low growl emanating from his throat.
“Yup, she’s good. She’s about to come out in a minute,” Samson answered. To Esmie he said in a low voice, “Take your time. Don’t try to rush out here to make us feel better.” He snapped the door shut.
Esmie grabbed her hair, screaming a silent scream.
She pushed her back against the door and slid to the floor, wrapping her arms around her knees and burying her head.
Why did she do this to herself? A relationship right now was the last thing possible for her, especially with her brother’s best friend.
This back and forth with Samson needed to end now.