Page 110 of Bonds of Starfall

Auren hadn’t known the first time he had seen the man, but now, he did.

Vesperin’s other Soulbond—the same man who was working for Blackfall Industries. Though, his motivations were not as evil as Auren had originally, erroneously assumed.

Still, the Soul Searcher had left a clue for Vesperin at the hospital that day, hoping she would search deeper into the secrets being kept from her, hidden nearly in plain sight. Practically begging to be discovered.

Auren had been watching her, waiting for the moment she followed the trail he left for her. Finally, it was all in motion. He prayed to the Celestials that she would see the deceit before her, that she would come to realize what had been stolen from her. But all the days and nights Auren watched her, he felt like he was not the only one paying close attention to the Aetherborn Hunter.

The end of his scythe scraped the desk, and Lucien jolted awake, tired green eyes growing wide at the sight of Auren standing before him, dressed in all white, the hood over his head concealing his soft blonde hair, but not the tiny Star etched under his eye.

The doctor fumbled into action, green vines twisting from his outstretched palms.

Auren held his scythe out with ease, blocking the vines as he murmured, "We must talk, Lucien Quenlan."

13

ALLIANCE

Auren watched as Lucien jolted into action. Though, his movements were sluggish, and the bags under his eyes were prominent.

And Auren knew precisely why he was plagued with such exhaustion.

He held his scythe out, relaxing his posture into a non-threatening stance. "I do not wish you harm, Lucien Quenlan. I am here to speak with you of a matter of great importance."

The glasses on the doctor’s nose slipped as he fumbled tiredly for something in the top drawer of his desk. Auren tsked, tapping the top of a stack of papers with the curved blade of his scythe. "Do not move," Auren said calmly. "I am here in peace."

Green eyes shone behind the frame of Lucien’s glasses as he looked up at him, the low light from the lamp catching on the lenses. "The last time you saw me, you threatened me, Soul Searcher. Why should I believe you?" The doctor’s hands stilled on the desk drawer, his expression hard as vines snaked around his wrists.

Auren regarded the man, forcing himself to relax further. It would not do if Lucien were wary of him. He applauded the man’s leadership, but he was clearly not a fighter.

"I know better now. I knowmore," Auren stressed, "and I do not apologize for being cautious, only that it took me so long to realize the truth." His voice was soft in the room, blanketing everything with a weight unable to be denied.

"The truth?" Lucien questioned, his eyes shifting imperceptibly until they fell to the drawer, his hands moving a fraction of a muscle as he held himself rigidly in his chair.

Auren saw it all. He blew out a soft breath, a mere sigh, really, as he took two quick steps closer, knowing the movement would be but a blur to the man’s eyes.

Sometimes, Auren had a difficult time remembering what it felt like to be human, to not be able to move as swiftly as the very air, or push his body to the limits.

Lucien flinched, yanking a small pistol from underneath a stack of papers in his desk drawer. His hands shook as he aimed it at Auren.

The Soul Searcher cocked his head. "You do not wish to harm me. Your role is to heal, not hurt."

"You know nothing about me," Lucien spat, eyes narrowing, and he stood slowly, even as Auren kept the blade of his scythe pointed down, resting on the desk. "You have no idea the lengths I would go to."

But Auren did. "I know much, and I know of the lengths you have gone. None of it is for yourself, but always for another. You are not the villain you think yourself to be," Auren implored, "but a man trapped, trying to do the best he can. I say again, I will not harm you."

Lucien’s aim wavered. "You said you came here to speak… Do so, before I am forced to use this."

It was the only opening Auren would get—and he would take it.

"I have been searching, you see." Auren smiled at the pun. "Every search led to one place. One name. Blackfall."

A snarl took hold of the doctor’s lips, twisting his cool indifference into feral tenacity. "Anything you have to say, regarding that name, I’m not interested in."

"Even if it has to do with an Aetherborn Hunter?" Auren arched a brow.

The words hung between them, poised like a blade.

Lucien stilled, and it did not even appear as if he were breathing. "What about her? Is this about the time you brought her to the hospital?"