Starlight (Pact Arcanum) by Ahsanuddin Arshad

Author:Ahsanuddin, Arshad [Ahsanuddin, Arshad]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2012-10-14T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 28

September 2142; Sanctuary, French Alps

Nick was patiently working his way through the latest immigration reports when a soft knock at the door of his office interrupted his thoughts. “Enter.”

Rory opened the door and entered the office. Nick stared at him, then shut down his workstation.

“Let’s get one thing straight. I don’t want you here,” said Nick sternly.

“And I don’t want you here either, Nicky,” said Rory, unperturbed. He dropped into one of the chairs next to the desk. “You should have stayed, so we could talk about our problems like adults and come to a resolution.”

Nick rolled his eyes. “You know I hate it when you call me ‘Nicky’.”

“You like it when you’re being punished.”

Nick sat in the chair opposite to Rory. “You’re not actually going to taunt me with our sex life, are you? I’m not ashamed of anything I’ve done with either of you.” He smirked. “Or both at once.”

Rory snorted. “Touché.”

Nick’s mood grew more somber. “I’m sorry. I should never have run out like that without an explanation.”

“I think it was pretty clear that you were angry.”

“But not at you.”

Rory studied his face for a few moments. “Are you going to explain that?”

Nick sighed. “Luscian is part of me, Rory. His knowledge, his strength, yes, but also his rage and hatred. Sometimes, I think I can almost hear his voice, the way he laughed as he bled me. You and Ruarc, you keep me grounded.”

Rory watched him appraisingly. “You have command hallucinations?”

Nick shook his head. “No, I’m always in control, and Jeremy assured me that there was no organic damage to my mind. The problem is more spiritual.” He took a deep breath and let it out. “The Crown of Souls was his for millennia. A mystical prison for the souls of his enemies. But it picked up traces from him, too. His voice haunts me, keeping his hooks in my subconscious. If I’m weak, then he might tempt me into doing something we would all regret.”

Rory nodded, apparently considering how this knowledge fitted in with his experience. “Who else knows?”

“Rafael and Jeremy first figured out what was happening. They helped me control the nightmares, just by being there when I slept. I was a wreck when Jeremy died. I compensated by throwing myself into his work, just so I wouldn’t have to feel anything that would give Luscian an opening. Then you and Ruarc came into my life, and you became my anchors.

“I have lost everyone I ever loved. For a while, even you two, when he was busy being Imperator and I was too proud to admit that I should never have asked you to bring Toby back.”

“You didn’t speak to me about anything personal for years after that,” said Rory. His voice was carefully neutral. “You have no idea how much that hurt.”

“I know, and I’d take it back if I could. Eventually, I let you both back into my life, and I was happy again. I had reclaimed two of the people who meant the most to me.

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