Page 124 of Bonds of Starfall

He had good reason. Information that couldn’t wait.

"I am sorry to intrude," Auren said lowly.

Lucien sighed, casting a look at the dark screen of his phone where it sat on the counter. "I trust there’s a reason for you being here at such a late hour."

"It could not wait." The Soul Searcher spread his gloved hands on the countertop and leaned in close, wary even in this privacy. Too many eyes, always watching. "Not here. Come with me." In a quick move, he grabbed his scythe and swung it through the air, thinking of the place safest to him—his home.

The portal shimmered, and Lucien eyed it with caution.

"Trust, Lucien. It is how we keep her safe," Auren prodded.

The doctor reached for his glass and knocked it all back, exhaling as he waved a hand to the portal. Together, they walked through it.

Auren’s homewas in the middle of nowhere.

As a Soul Searcher, he was tasked with a planet. And his planet of task was, of course, Earth. So Earth, he stayed.

Soul Searchers were normal Souls.Aurenhad been a normal Soul. A man. It had been so long ago he forgot what being human felt like… His memories of death had been wiped, as had any of his memories before being appointed as a Soul Searcher. He merely knew he had been a man, and he knew he had lived on Earth. Auren knew nothing else.

He did not know if he chose to be a Soul Searcher or if it had been forced upon him by the Celestials. It was his task, and he would see it through.

Hehadseen it through; for so many centuries, memories blurred. The only times that stood out were the ones in which Vesperin had been there.

And now she was here again, and Auren would do whatever possible to keep her safe.

His home was tucked in the mountains, far from any civilization. Far up on a peak reachable only by helicopter—which he had never taken—or by portal, which he always used. The perfect place for a being such as himself.

The wooden floor creaked under him as he placed a teacup on the polished wood table, set low in the cozy living room. Warm flames crackled in the fireplace. It was colder here than in the city.

Steam wafted from the teacup, and it clinked against the saucer as Lucien reached for it.

Auren settled down on the couch across from Lucien, his scythe resting on the chair beside him.

"You brought me to your home in the middle of nowhere. There is no cell reception, and you very well could have drugged this tea to kill me," Lucien started. Still, he sipped at the tea, and Auren smiled at the show of trust.

"If I wanted to be rid of you, I could have reaped your Soul in an instant, before you even realized." Auren spoke plainly. It was factual, not meant to scare the man. "I’ve no wish to kill you, as I have said before."

"Then why bring me here?"

"I fear your apartment is not safe." He leveled the doctor a firm look. The windows were open, dark green leaves swaying in the endless forest outside. It was always a risk with the Rogues, but Auren was skilled at killing the monsters. "There arethings happening beyond our control, and at the very heart of it, Blackfall Industries."

"I’m very well aware Blackfall Industries is corrupt," Lucien replied coolly.

"You may, but not the level of corruption—it runs deep. And forcenturies," Auren asserted, unable to hide the shiver that befell him.

Even here, he was wary, but no eyes watched. This place was his haven. He chose his words carefully. Some things must be kept hidden for now, but whispers spoke of something treacherous coming. Lucien needed to be prepared.

Auren had a feeling…

"Something is coming. I’ve picked up on whispers," Auren echoed his own thoughts, staring at the steam curling over the lip of the teacup. "Blackfall Industries is working on a project at the underground lab in Nova Zone 21. I know you have been there."

"I go when I’m called."

"And when will you go back?" Aurenneededto know.

Lucien paused, tongue poking in his cheek as he thought, before finally sighing. "Tomorrow. I’ve been requested to run tests on new blood samples."

That was good. Sooner than expected. The vise around Auren’s chest released.