CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
They returned to Compound Seven as heroes.
Not officially—Sable filed the mission report with clinical detachment, listing casualties and objectives achieved. But word spread. The laundry girl had fought hollowed. The laundry girl had saved lives. The laundry girl had done something impossible.
Olivia didn't feel like a hero. She felt like she'd been hit by a truck, backed over, and then hit again for good measure. Her ribs were definitely cracked—Aisha confirmed it in the medical tent, tsking over the purple blossoms of bruising across Olivia's torso.
"Two cracked ribs, probably," Aisha said. "Multiple contusions. Lacerations. Mild concussion. You're lucky to be walking."
"I'm too stubborn to lie down."
"That much is obvious." Aisha wrapped Olivia's ribs with practiced efficiency. "You know, I treated Marcus too. He told me what you did. Saving him from the golem, covering him during the retreat."
"He's a kid. I wasn't going to let him die."
"Most people wouldn't have risked themselves." Aisha's dark eyes were warm. "You're a good person, Olivia Thornwood. Don't let this world change that."
Olivia found Lucas in the armoury, sitting alone in the dark, turning the wooden box over in his hands. It was wrapped in warded cloth now, its influence contained, but he stared at it like it might bite him.
"You shouldn't be touching that," Olivia said.
"I'm not. I'm just... looking." He set it aside. "How are your ribs?"
"Cracked. How's your sanity?"
"Intact. Mostly." He rubbed his temples. "I keep hearing it. Not out loud—in my head. Like a song I can't forget."
"The box is doing that?"
"I think it's me." Lucas looked up, his green eyes shadowed. "I told you my father was awakened. What I didn't tell you is that he was *strongly* awakened. One of the most powerful essence manipulators in Vanguard history. He could level buildings with a thought."
"And you?"
"I'm a disappointment by comparison. Minor enhancements. Nothing dramatic." He laughed, but there was no humour in it. "At least, that's what I thought. But when I touched the box... something woke up. Something bigger than what I've ever accessed."
Olivia sat beside him, careful of her ribs. "Is that good or bad?"
"I don't know. Powerful awakenings often come with instability. My father... he lost control once. Killed twelve people before he could stop himself." Lucas's voice dropped. "He never forgave himself. Drank himself to death within two years."
"Lucas..."
"I'm not my father. I know that. But I'm scared, Olivia. Scared that whatever's waking up in me won't be something I can control. And if I hurt you—if I hurt anyone—"
"You won't." She took his hand, her small fingers wrapping around his larger ones. "I've seen you, Lucas. In the gym, in the stairwell, in that vault. You're the most controlled person I know. Whatever's inside you, you'll master it."
"How can you be sure?"
"Because I believe in you." She squeezed his hand. "And because if you go crazy and try to destroy the world, I'll just slap you again. It seems to work."
He laughed—really laughed, the warm sound she loved. "You're ridiculous."
"I'm your ridiculous. Get used to it."
They sat in comfortable silence, shoulders touching, the wooden box sitting between them like a promise of things to come.
"Sable wants to promote you," Lucas said eventually.
"What?"
"Full active duty. Third in command of my strike team. She was impressed by your performance."
Olivia's heart leaped. "She said that?"
"She said, and I quote, 'The weasel has teeth. Let's see how she bites.' High praise, from Sable."
"Third in command. That's... that's real. That's actually happening."
"You've earned it. Every bruise, every scar, every hour of training." He turned to face her, his expression softening. "I'm proud of you, Olivia. Not as your trainer. As the man who loves you."
The words hung in the air. Olivia felt her breath catch.
"You love me?"
"I think I have since you threw a medicine ball at my head."
"That was week two."
"I fall fast." He smiled, nervous and hopeful. "Too fast, probably. You don't have to say it back. I know you're focused on your training, your goals, becoming the warrior you want to be. I don't want to pressure you. I just... I needed you to know."
Olivia looked at this impossible man—this beautiful, stubborn, secretly soft man who'd seen her when no one else had. Who'd trained her, fought beside her, caught her when she fell.
"I don't say things I don't mean," she said carefully. "And I don't rush. You know that about me."
"I do."
"But Lucas... I'm falling too. Slower than you, probably. Harder than I expected. And when I get there—when I'm ready to say it—you'll be the first to know."
He leaned in and kissed her, gentle and sweet, his hand cradling the back of her head.
"I'll wait," he whispered against her lips. "However long you need."