Supreme Magus

Lith pondered for a while, thinking about why Kamila would have had such a change of heart so quickly. He remembered that she had never explained why she had been sent to Othre to him.

His only real clues were Jirniʼs words about trusting Kamila and how she had reacted to them.

”Iʼm aware weʼve known each other for barely two weeks and that you have no real reason to trust me.” Lith said.

”So, if you need some space because something happened in your personal life, just tell me and I will not pry any further. Yet if someone from the army is pressuring you about our relationship, then I think I have the right to know.

”Because it wouldnʼt be just your problem, but our problem. You shouldnʼt be forced to shoulder such a burden alone. Whatever this is about, know that Iʼll not be part of your life unless you want me to be.”

Lithʼs words struck a nerve. Kamilaʼs eyes wandered around the room, almost hoping she would receive a sign from the heavens, or at least find a way out of her predicament. She stared at the door for a second before looking him in the eyes.

ʼI canʼt run away from my problems forever.ʼ She thought. ʼIf Iʼm right and Commander Berion sent me here as his pawn, I shouldʼve been nice to Lith, smiled a lot, and even slept with him to further the Commanderʼs agenda.

ʼThatʼs not who I want to be nor how I want to make my way up the armyʼs ranks. Maybe Lith isnʼt as good as he appears, but at least he has been honest so far. If I have to live like a puppet, I might as well have never run away from my family.

ʼI wonʼt sell my dignity out of fear, I owe myself that much.ʼ

Kamila did her best not to tremble as she told him about her conversation with Berion before being dispatched to Othre. Yet she failed. She was in an impossible situation where she had been forced to either lose her job, which had been the only safe harbor in her life, or herself.

Lith listened without saying a word nor trying to comfort her.

”So now Iʼm screwed no matter what I do. If I put any distance between us, the Commander will understand Iʼm not playing ball and punish me. If I stay with you, I will always ask myself if Iʼm doing it because I want to give us a chance or just because Iʼm too afraid to disobey.”

She didnʼt cry, and her voice remained firm. Yet seeing her anguish made Lith feel some guilt, but mostly, he was angry. He took a few deep breaths to calm down and assess the situation with Solus.

Only then did he tell her about the dead woman, the living tissue sample, and his doubts about Manoharʼs theory.

”Why are you telling me all this?” She asked.

”Because itʼs what I would have told you anyway as my handler. I didnʼt mention it before only because I noticed that the woman I hope will become my girlfriend was feeling down, and I didnʼt want to spoil her dinner with gory details.” He replied.

”I didnʼt mean to hide anything from you. I know how important your job is to you. Maybe you should wear a double sided nametag, so I know when Iʼm talking with Kamila and when Iʼm talking to my handler.” He smiled at his own joke.

”Thanks, Iʼll think about it.” Her lips curved up into a light smile as he placed one hand above her shoulder. She grabbed it, appreciating its warmth.

At that moment, she was grateful for many things. To Lith for not getting angry with her, for continuing to talk about ”them” in the present tense instead of the past, and for just being there for her instead of making promises he couldnʼt keep.

It wasnʼt much, but at the moment it was all she had. Most of all, Kamila was grateful to herself for finding the courage to do the right thing. Her future was still scary, but no matter what would happen, she would be able to face it head-on.

***

The next morning Kamila and Lith woke up almost at the same time. The suite had more than one bedroom, which allowed them to sleep separately.

ʼWith my luck, itʼs only a matter of time before stuff starts to blow up in my face. I need to rest every night so that Invigoration retains its maximum efficiency.ʼ He thought.

ʼI keep thinking about that thing Manohar found inside the made mage.ʼ Solus tried to keep his mind off Kamilaʼs situation. She could easily relate to Lithʼs feelings.

Both of them carried a deep sadness inside that was only aggravated by the constant feelings of isolation haunting them. Lith because of all of his secrets, Solus because she had no life of her own.

Over time, it had become as much a part of their bodies as the mana that flowed through them.

ʼWhy give someone magical powers? Especially if they would be equally dangerous to their user as they are to those around them.ʼ

To Solus, Lith replied: ʼOff the top of my head, to create chaos, to give birth to artificial Awakened ones, or to test a Forbidden Spell on lab rats before using it on yourself. Itʼs what I would do.ʼ

The discussion had just gone from theoretical to disturbing in less than one second. Solus knew all too well how serious Lith was when talking about such things. In his mind, he was now killing Berion over and over for messing with his life.

Luckily, before his vivid imagination could direct a full slasher movie, Tista knocked on the door.

”Sorry to bother you, guys, but with all the disgusting things that happened yesterday, I either need some company or I need to skip breakfast. Between old creeps and Manohar, my poor stomach is still doing flips.” She noticed that both beds were unmade.

”How is my favorite mistress? I could have used some of your dazzling smiles my brother is always talking about yesterday.” Tista had no idea what was wrong between them. A slight sense of guilt made her attempt to remedy her previous blunders.

”What do you mean, mistress?” Kamila chuckled. She was happy to have some company. Being alone with Lith was a bit awkward between what had happened and what hadnʼt happened last night.

He had agreed to let her sleep in the suite to not alert Berion that she wasnʼt going to play by his rules and give her some time to think.

Tista explained to her how she usually deceived people into believing that she was Lithʼs wife to avoid being bothered.

”Some are brave enough to face a brotherʼs glare, but a husband is much scarier.” She winked.

”So, to keep the masquerade going, I booked my room under your name and now the hotel staff thinks you are his mistress. You charging in here made quite an impression yesterday.” Kamila blushed a little and laughed heartily.

ʼOh, gods! Thatʼs why the receptionist looked at me funnily. Tista sure has a talent for embarrassing me.ʼ Yet the more time she spent with the two siblings, the less alone she felt.