Chapter 43 #2
Arlet shook her head, staring at a spot on the floor like it might spring a head and jump out at her. “Isn’t the whole point of her breaking the curse so she doesn’t die anymore?” She looked up, waiting for Bridger to have an answer to a question he knew nothing about.
He shrugged again. “We can go back and forth questioning technicalities all night, but that’s not going to get us anywhere.
The fact is, Vega sold her soul. Her curse has nothing to do with what happens to her now.
Immortal or not, a soul can still be bartered, and there are worse things in life than death…
” Bridger slid off the counter, his boots hitting the ground with a soft thud.
The room was quiet, nothing but the high-pitched hiss of electronics filling the silence.
“I’m assuming you have a plan.” Khort was the first to speak. “Or we wouldn’t be here.”
Bridger’s crooked smile pulled at his lips. “I’m the commander of Tolevarre. I always have a plan.”
Arlet rolled her eyes. One of Khort’s twitched.
“How much do you know about Pluto?” Bridger asked.
“You mean, the god of the underworld?” Arlet asked with confusion fusing her brows to the middle of her forehead.
Bridger nodded. “That’s the one.”
“Do not let her get her hands on you for too long. I’m not telling you to avoid her, but don’t give her the opportunity to browse around if you can avoid it,” Bridger mentioned before the elevator rolled to a stop and the doors opened.
Standing there was a freshly washed Vega dressed in the oversized black sweater and lounge pants Bridger had delivered while she showered. Her hair was still unbound and damp, only starting to dry at her roots.
Arlet threw herself through the doors and into Vega’s open arms. “Hi! Ugh, you smell so good.” She pulled out of the hug quickly, playing it off like she was looking down at her dingy clothes.
“Bridger promised warm showers. It’s the only reason I followed around on his long, boring tour.
” Arlet spoke the last part out of the side of her mouth like she was trying to keep a secret.
He stepped beside Arlet, exiting the elevator after Khort. “Hilarious.” He didn’t laugh.
Khort scanned the hallway. “Has Nora come to you yet?”
He’d known his nieces for less than twenty-four hours and he was already overbearing and annoying. “She’s showering. I was headed to find someone who could find her some clean clothes.”
“I’ll send some down. Let me show you to your rooms.” Bridger nodded to the end of the hall.
“They’re small, and we conserve most of the energy for the common areas of Vincere, so don’t expect luxury,” Bridger said over his shoulder.
“Better than a cave,” Arlet mumbled as Bridger opened the first door and then reached for the other directly across the hall.
“Two bunks in each. Bathrooms are at the end of the hall. If you’d like to keep your current clothes, feel free to use the laundry facilities on the bottom floor.
Otherwise, I’ll have some clean ones brought down with Nora’s for now.
” Bridger knew he was missing a lot, but they could figure the rest out tomorrow.
Everyone was exhausted, their bond piling it on extra heavy.
Khort nodded and slipped into the room on the right, leaving Bridger alone with Arlet and Vega.
“Thanks, Bridger,” Arlet said, before telling Vega, “I love you, and I wanna make sure you’re okay, but it’s been over a month since I’ve had a warm shower, and I don’t think I can wait another minute.” She scurried off towards the bathrooms.
They were alone in the hallway now.
“Did you eat?” Bridger asked.
“Yes,” Vega answered. “I also looked through all your drawers, under your bed, inside your closet. I found nothing of interest, which was boring, and before I could track you all down, Nora showed up.” She stepped into Bridger’s personal space but didn’t reach out for him. “Have you eaten?”
“I will,” he told her.
“Okay” was all she said in response, but then the buzz of her voice on the inside lit a warm fire in Bridger’s gut. “I’m afraid to touch you again.”
Bridger looked at her like she had two heads. “Why?”
“Because of earlier,” Vega replied softly.
“You mean when you expertly slipped behind my shields like you’ve been doing it all your life?”
She nodded once.
Bridger reached out and grabbed her by the back of the neck and pulled her into his chest while he wrapped the other around her in a hug. “I’m a little impressed by it, but I’ll shut you out for good if you ever pull that shit on me again.”
He wasn’t kidding either. If anything, he’d at least keep her locked out until he found another way to handle this.
Vega laughed. “Fine. I’ll just practice on the others instead.”
“Vega.” Bridger pulled from the hug and saw the honest smile on her lips.
“I’m sure you mentioned it while you gave your little tour, didn’t you?” she asked, getting the answer she needed by whatever she saw on Bridger’s face. Vega shrugged. “They’ll drop their guard eventually.”
“You’re exhausting.” Bridger sighed. “Can I at least trust that you’ll get some sleep tonight? I’d hate to have to sleep at the foot of your bed instead of in my own on the first night back.”
“Surprised you didn’t suggest I join you in your—”
“Hey Vega, d—” Khort came out of his room, stopping when he saw Vega wasn’t alone. “Oh, uh, never mind.” He started to retreat into his room when Bridger waved him back out.
“I was just leaving. I have some things to finish up before I call it a night.” Bridger took a step away, locking his hands behind his back.
“I’ll see to it you have everything you need for the night.
I’ll send for you all in the morning. I think we’re long overdue for a training session.
” Bridger dipped his head at Khort and caught Vega’s longing gaze. “Goodnight.”
Bridger was halfway down the hall when Vega reached down the bond to him. “Sleep well.”
How the fuck was he supposed to “sleep well” knowing Vega was just down the hall from him, ready and willing to jump into bed and keep him up all night long?
It took everything in him not to invite her to his room, but Bridger didn’t want her to think his feelings came purely from a sexual place. He cared about her well-being over everything else… or he’d suddenly started to again.
“You too,” he said back as he stepped into his room and the door locked behind him.