After breakfast, I head back to my room to get dressed for the day. Lukas disappears into the bathroom with his clothes over one arm, and when he reappears a few minutes later, fresh, put together, and somehow still sleepy looking. He takes a seat on the edge of my bed. I grab my phone, open the contact list, and call Richard. I put it on speaker and set it on the edge of my dresser, then sit down and start fixing my hair and makeup. May as well multitask, I know how long this takes me. It rings a few times before he finally picks up.
“Hello?” His voice is groggy, like we just pulled him out of a nap.
“Oh… Sorry, did we wake you?” I ask quickly, feeling a little guilty.
“Nah, I’m already at the bar keeping an eye on Wren. He’s asleep, so I was kinda… Dozing off.” He grumbles. I laugh.
“Fair enough. Just make sure you keep an eye on Wren. Sleeping guard duty doesn’t count.” I lecture.
“Of course, of course.” He says easily.
“Are you just calling to check on him?” Richard adds.
“Actually, no. We wanted to talk to you. Lukas is here too, by the way,” I inform Richard, glancing at Lukas in the mirror. Richard snickers.
“Of course he is.” He says meaningfully. I frown, a rebuttal already forming, but Lukas gently pats my arm like it’s no big deal and gestures for me to focus on my eyeliner. I sigh and nod.
“I suppose you heard that the hunter, Rowen, is planning to intervene and deal with Solem’s organisation by the end of the week.” Lukas says.
“I did…” Richard’s tone turns heavier.
“You don’t happen to know if there’s some kind of… Timeline of association? Like, is she planning to prosecute anyone who ever dealt with him? Or just those still involved?” He asks.
“I doubt it’s that black and white.” I reply.
“She seems pretty reasonable. She gave us a week to figure out who’s really innocent, people who should be rescued instead of punished.” I explain.
“In that case,” Richard says with a tired sort of humour,
“I’d appreciate it if you could put my name right at the top of your ‘not guilty’ list. In a bright red pen. Maybe underline it a few dozen times.” He jokes. I grin at the mirror.
“Ah, sorry. That spot’s already taken by Wren…” I pause then continue.
“And Lukas and I claimed second and third. But we can put you down for number four, if you like.” I follow his lead with the joking tone, but i hope he still finds it reassuring.
“I’ll hold you to that.” He mutters, and despite the joking, I can hear the edge of anxiety in his voice.
“So… I’m guessing this call is for information?” Richard asks.
“Yep.” I confirm.
“Well, I can’t really give you a clean list of who’s innocent. Honestly, most people tangled up with Solem fall somewhere in the grey. People who made some bad choices and couldn’t find a way out.” There’s a weight in his voice. A quiet, personal bitterness.
“It might be easier to focus on the ones who are actively dangerous. The people who aren’t there because of a deal, they’re just in it for the power or the money. The ones who signed on willingly. They’re the ones who scare me.” He says, his voice quiet.
“Ugh… Yeah. That makes sense. That’s a good place to start.” I agree As he speaks, a horrible thought starts to worm its way into my brain. Lukas’s family were dragged into this by a deal. A magical contract. But what about my aunt? I can’t imagine her being foolish enough to tie herself to Solem magically. She’s too clever, too cautious for that. So what does that leave? That she’s helping him by choice? Is she really the kind of person who would look at all of this, all the danger, the damage, the people being used, and still say ‘Yes, I’ll be part of that’? I really really hope not. The call doesn’t last much longer. Wren’s waking up, so Richard needs to shift into full babysitter mode. We say our goodbyes and end the call. I finish the last swipe of mascara, but my mind is already racing. I need to know how involved my aunt really is. If she’s just playing some manipulative long game, or if she’s already crossed a line that can’t be uncrossed. Maybe I can get access to her phone. Or her computer. If I could find her emails, her financials, anything that could tell me what kind of deals she’s making or where the money’s going… I glance at Lukas through the mirror. He’s watching me closely, already picking up on the shift in my mood. Yeah. This just turned into another rabbit hole. And I’m going to have to dig deep.
I turn to Lukas to make the suggestion and I notice that he’s looking at me strangely. It instantly derails my train of thought. I awkwardly turn away and pick up a lipstick to apply. Lukas suddenly steps in closer and places a hand over mine, stopping me.
“Hold off on that for a moment?” He requests.
“Hm? Okay…” I trail off. Not sure what he wants. He takes the lipstick and slips it into his pocket, then grabs my hands and pulls me to my feet. I wait, still not quite sure what he wants.
“What I want…” He pauses and looks me in the eyes.
“The same thing I’ve wanted to do since I tucked you into bed last night.” He tells me, his voice is low and intimate. It’s impossible to be dense with the way he’s looking at me right now, with the look in his eyes and the suggestion in his voice. He takes a step closer to me and I don’t move. Really the entire idea of moving away from him right now seems ridiculous. It’s the absolute last thing that I want to do. Lukas smiles, his expression is one of pure delight. Every hint of hesitation he had fades away and he confidently slips his hands around my waist and pulls me tightly against his chest. How am I already so breathless? Also I kind of wish I was wearing heels… He’s so much taller than me when I’m barefoot. My neck kind of hurts craning to look up at him. Lukas chuckles, and then in a slow, careful movement, steps backwards, keeping me tight against him and dragging me forwards. He keeps moving until his knees hit my bed, then he sits, pulling me down with him. I land in his lap with my knees either side of his. Now we’re at eye level.
“Better?” He asks softly, his face way closer than I’m used to it being.
“Oh… Um… Yes? It’s more comfortable for… I mean… I can see your face a lot better…” I trail off awkwardly. I should just stop talking. I am weirdly aware of how warm his hands are on my hips. And Laura’s comments about ‘making a move’ are echoing through my thoughts.
“Sometimes you think entirely too much.” Lukas comments, his smile still glued to his face.
“Sorry.” I automatically apologise.
“Don’t be sorry. I like your thoughts. And I like the fact that I can drive them from your mind entirely.” He says calmly. Then he tugs me forward again and kisses me and my mind goes blank… Again.