Lola
“You already look a tad better,” Marcus said, handing me a beer. I didn’t bother giving more than a grunt as I took the bottle from his hand and pushed myself deeper into the couch. “So, you never updated me about the chip situation. Was there one in Dimitri’s uniform?”
I nodded. “There was, but it was broken. Not sure if it was before they gave it to him or if he broke it when he fought outside.”
Marcus’ eyes narrowed as he sat next to me. “Both are unlikely. The uniform chips are embedded in some sort of tempered glass. Not as strong as the crystal that resists the toxicity of our blood, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone who managed to break it. And even less if he was wearing it…I mean, the hit should’ve been strong enough to break his hip bone or something.”
Dimitri didn’t look hurt—which was surprising with the amount of blood he’d been covered with. But none of it was his, and we might have been Immortal and healed quickly, but a mending broken hip would have made him limp for a few days.
“Well, when I took it out from where it was sewed in, the glass was nothing more than dust and little shards, and the metallic thing inside was crushed.”
Marcus released a long sigh before bringing the bottle to his lips for a long swig. “Not gonna lie, I was hoping the chip was there and functioning.”
“Why?”
“Because we could have tracked it.”
Would I have even left it there if it wasn’t broken? Knowing Dimitri wouldn’t want to?
“I’m not sure how it could have shattered,” he mused. “Maybe you’re right and it somehow was broken before. But it seems a bit odd that he was given what was probably the only non-functioning one.”
He looked like he gave it a lot of thought, sipping at his bottle leisurely.
“Can I ask you something?” I scratched at the paper label partially covering the green glass distractedly. Marcus nodded. “You’ve always been a bit sensitive when I brought up the prison and strange disappearances. Did you lose someone?”
His throat bobbed but he gave me another slight nod. “Two people, yes. They were taken three years ago during an assignment, and we never heard from them again.”
He paused, and I didn’t urge him to continue, somehow knowing that he wasn’t done but that it was difficult for him to talk about it.
“I—We were together. I mean,theywere together at first, a binded pair. Ever since we met, there has been this weird attraction between them and me, and I somehow found my way into their heart. The three of us lived together for two years before they…disappeared.”
Old memories danced in his eyes. Losing people you cared about always hurt, no matter the circumstances. I couldn’t imagine the pain he went through the past few years, not having the slightest idea if they were even alive…
“I’m so sorry,” I said, placing my free hand on his forearm. “You must have felt so hopeful that Arc was finally going there to retrieve the prisoners and my freaking out makes it all worse.”
He shrugged. “It’s hard to keep hoping after all this time. But yeah…” The silence stretched. Aymeric was in bed, and the girls were out, leaving only the two of us. “It’s painful to hope for so long.”
He placed the bottle between his knees and untied his hair only to tie it again, like a nervous habit.
“Anyway, let’s talk about something else.”
“I’m sorry I asked, I know it’s painful to lose people you care for.”
A small forced smile stretched his lips. “Have you lost someone too?”
A dry scoff escaped my throat. “Of course I have. I’m old, remember?”
“I mean, you have Dimitri. And now Arc and Carter, no matter how rocky of a start you had with them. Have you ever loved someone else and lost them?”
My mouth opened and closed a few times. Was I ready to tell anyone about it? Dimitri was the only one to know. Was I willing to risk the story leaking out to Carter—and Arc when he’d be back?
“You know I’m notthatmuch of a gossip, I can keep things to myself,” Marcus said, like my worries were visible on my face.
I exhaled a long breath, throwing my head back against the soft cushions of the backrest. He did share something painful with me…it was only fair I evened out the playing field.
“I told you Arc said we were a group of six, right?” He nodded. “Which means that, with Dimitri, Carter and Arc, it leaves two other mates that are still unaccounted for.”
“Which is strange, because being alive for a millennium and a half, what’s to say that the other two are even still alive?” he remarked.
