Page 5 of Lux

“Fine,” I say.

“I just got to get the crap from my truck. I’ll be right back.”

I watch the mortal leave, only to creep inside minutes later. A black bag is slung over one shoulder. It rustles with all matter of objects. Some food, as he claimed. Others…

Not.

“Altaris wanted me to bring a few other things as well.” He shrugs as though in a nonchalant manner. As though his mind isn’t busy with unease and regrets. As though he isn’t still staring at my fae as though he knew her in another life. Or her mother, this Aurelia.

“Col also sent some clothes for the lady, and I added some of my old things as well.” He sets the bag down. Opens it andwithdraws a handful of items one by one. Neat piles of clothing. Bags of food. A dangerous book.

When she sees the cover of it, the fae goes silent. Pale. Those black eyes darken to an unnatural hue. It scares her, whatever knowledge is contained within that black cover.

She hates it.

Altaris knew. He sent it along as a reminder, meant to trigger some secret looming between them.

That she is not fae. Not a pure, special creature she spent her entire life admiring.

No, she is something else.

A corrupted, unknowable thing.

Mine alone.

CHAPTER 2

Niamh

Any darkness can be dispelled by the smallest light. Life among the archives taught me that. No matter how dark or neglected a corner seemed, the glow of a lantern was all I needed to reveal what was hidden.

I remind myself of that fact. I repeat it over and over. Silly Niamh, even the smallest light can dispel the deepest dark.

But what if youarethe darkness? For I feel it lurk within me, festering and growing. Fear. Doubt. Unease.

Despite leeching off Caspian's strength, I can't escape the dread. His thoughts are an impenetrable fortress, like a candle held too far away for its light to reach me. Even so, a few observations split through the cracks.

Like wariness.

My mind is alien to him. To everyone. Only Altaris has the answers as to why—him and the mortal man who knew my mother. In my brain I can call her that. Night Aurelia. Though I’ve never met her, I know she possesses the hallmark characteristics of house Aurelius: red hair the color of sunsetand green eyes like wet moss. They are said to be renowned for their beauty and revered for their grace.

Even so, with one glance, this man mistakenly thought I was her. Despite my wrong coloring. Despite my wrong nature.

It doesn't matter how many times I was told that I was different, he still sees her in me.

And for the first time, I start to wonder…

Greedy, resentful things I have no right to question. Such as…why? Why did she leave me without a word? Without so much as an explanation. I had to hear it from the Lord Master or infer it from the Citadel workers who avoided me: I was different. Unnatural. Abomination.

I look like her--though the memories she evokes in this mortal seemingly aren't pleasant. He gapes at me the way I eyed Day when he kissed me. Fearful. No,terrified.

No.I shake my head. Not here. Not now. Those thoughts are in the past. Caspian is my future. Inhaling his coldness, I lean into him. It must be evident to him that I am uneasy, because he stiffens.

“Get out,” he tells the man. “Now.”

“I was just going,” he replies, raising his hands in a placating gesture. He walks to the door. Stands there. Hesitates. “He hasn’t told you, has he? Altaris.HowI know your mother..” He frowns. “He didn’t. I knew the man could be shrewd, but damn.” He laughs, but the smile shaping his mouth doesn’t reach his eyes. Instead, anger burns within them.

“What truth?” I ask. It feels as if my heart has grown wings, fluttering up my throat. His words seem more than a harmless taunt. They imply something, but what?

---