Page 38 of Bonds of Starfall

Lucien removed his glasses, scrubbing a hand over his eyes.

"Damn it," he breathed. "I love you, Vesperin, but you are so hard to keep safe."

"It did not sound like love when you were playing god with her fate."

The voice filled the room, and Lucien stood, vines curling around his wrists as he called for his Earth Stella to protect him.

"Who’s there? This is a private office. How did you get in here?"

From the shadows stepped a man cloaked in white with a gleaming scythe at his back.

"The Soul Searcher," Lucien said, not letting his Stella seep back into his skin. "I wondered where you had run off to."

"There is no place that can be hidden from the likes of me, Lucien Quenlan," said the Soul Searcher. "Nor are there any secrets that can be kept." He stalked forward, trailing a gloved finger over the top of Lucien’s desk.

Every file on there was incriminating. Goddamn it.

"What does a Soul Searcher want with a Hunter trainee?" Lucien inquired, forcing his shoulders to relax. He would not be ruffled—not in his own space.

"I have a vested interest in Vesperin Vox. That includes keeping her safe from corrupt doctors." The soft zing of his scythe was Lucien’s only warning as it was held before his throat. "I will ask only once: who was on the phone?"

That, Lucien had no qualms about revealing, not even stopping to wonder how the Soul Searcher had heard him on the phone. "Talor Blackfall."

He could handle any questions, except those about Vesperin and what she was to him. If they found out… She would be used as collateral. Right now, Talor and Sabine thought he was her mere doctor. His clinical indifference could be explained away. But if they knew she was more, they would exploit him until he was drained dry. Until they forced her to be more subject than human. Already, the line was blurred by her adoptive parents. They had been obsessed with her as an Aetherborn ever since she was young, but now, with Nova in her heart, she was the perfect creation. Better than anything they could cook up in their lab.

Lucien would rather die than give her up—than do anything to hurt her.

The Soul Searcher lifted the manila folder, flipping through it, one hand still holding the wicked edge of the scythe against Lucien’s throat. "I have my eye on you, Lucien Quenlan." He snapped the file folder shut. "I am taking this with me. Don’t try to stop me. If you ever do anything to hurt her, I will find you and reap your Soul. But I will not send you to the Stars—I will let you wander until the Nova corrupts you, and you become a Rogue."

In a soft whoosh, the man sliced his scythe through the air at Lucien’s side, rending the very air in two.

He stepped through the portal, and it closed behind him, leaving Lucien alone.

Lucien was in deep, deep trouble.

"I’m fine.I promise, Kit. Really." Rin was sitting up on the bed. Her IV had been removed, as well as all the other equipment. "It’s been three days. I feel back to normal, now." She reached forward, grabbing her adoptive brother’s hands. "I wouldn’t lie to you. I just want to get out of here. I’m going crazy."

For more than one reason—her mind kept replaying the image of the Rogues, falling in a heap on the ground, before Rin herself had succumbed to unconsciousness.

Kit scrubbed a hand over the soft shadow of unshaven hair on his jawline. He looked so haggard; she hated it.

"Can you blame me, Rin? I got the call about what happened when I washoursaway," he stressed. "I never want to feel that way again—like you could die before I ever get to see you again."

Rin swallowed. "I’m sorry."

He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand, soft and sweet. It made her stomach do tiny little flips. What was happening to her?

"What’s this about a Soul Searcher?" he asked, staring down at their joined hands.

"I met him on my first mission, and he was there again. I… hate to say it, but I’m glad he was there that night." She forced a laugh, but none of this was amusing. "I may have been eaten by the Rogues if not."

"I’m glad he was there, too, then," said Kit. "Anyone who keeps you safe has a life debt from me."

In a way, the nameless Soul Searcher and her adoptive brother were similar—both seemed driven by protection and honor, with a fierce, loyal code that even Rin did not strictly adhere to.

She wondered what would happen if they ever met. But quickly shoved the thought aside. The Soul Searcher was probably gone, scared off by what she had done.

They were interrupted by a knock at the door. It opened slowly, and the funny feeling in her stomach only increased when she saw Lucien standing there, black hair perfectly styled and not one wrinkle on his doctor’s coat.