Page 42 of Stalker

The lab's sterile white walls and chemical smell make my stomach churn as we enter. Or maybe that's just my nerves. The holographic projector hums to life, casting an eerie blue glow across the room.

"Watch this, sweetheart. State of the art tech." Dad waves his hand through the beam.

My nails dig into my palms as skeletal structures materialize in the air. Long bones, thick and dense. A massive frame takes shape, towering over the projection field.

"Well, he's a big fellow, whoever he is." Dad chuckles, but I can't breathe.

Layer by layer, the image builds. Muscle fibers weave across bone, creating a familiar silhouette that makes my heart skip. Dark skin materializes next, and I bite my lip so hard I taste copper.

A strangled sound escapes Jenkins as bone spurs pierce through the projected skin. He stumbles backward, face ashen.

"Oh my god." Dad's voice drops to a horrified whisper. "It's a Reaper."

The hologram rotates slowly, and there he is - Bruticus, rendered in perfect detail. The sharp planes of his face, the proud set of his shoulders, even the small scar above his left eye where I'd traced my finger just this morning.

My knees threaten to buckle. The collar feels like it's choking me, though I know it's just my imagination. I want to run, to warn him, to do something. But I'm frozen in place, watching my father stare at the face of the man who tried to kill him - the man I love.

"I just remembered - my quantum mechanics project! Due tomorrow. Sorry Dad, gotta run!"

The lie tastes bitter on my tongue as I bolt from the lab. My heels click against the polished floors, echoing my racing heartbeat. The collar burns against my skin like a brand of guilt.

The walk home passes in a blur. Faces swim past, voices fade to white noise. My fingers tremble as I press my palm to the door scanner.

Bruticus stands by the window, silhouetted against Alpha Centauri's eternal sunset. The sight of him - real, solid, here - sends fresh waves of panic through me.

"Maryse." His deep voice wraps around my name. "I must tell you something."

"Bruticus, I-"

"Please. Let me speak." He turns, red eyes gleaming. "I came to this station seeking vengeance. The man who ordered the attack that killed my mother on Rakura IV... he is your father."

The air leaves my lungs. "I know. About last night. The glove-"

"I did not try to kill him." His jaw tightens. "I entered his quarters with that intent, yes. But when I saw your picture on his desk..." He steps closer, bone spurs catching the light. "I could not end the life of the one who sired the woman I love."

The word 'love' hits me like a physical force. My knees go weak. All thoughts of DNA scans and murder plots vanish, replaced by those four letters.

Love.

He loves me.

Bruticus paces the room, his bone spurs scraping against the ceiling. "The spirits of my ancestors demand blood. But how can I fulfill my oath now that I know you are his daughter?"

My heart aches at his torment. The collar at my neck pulses with his distress. I reach for his hand. "You don't have to follow through. The oath was made without knowing all the facts."

"You don't understand the weight of such promises for my people."

"Listen to me," I say. "My father only attacked because the pirates started killing hostages. He had no choice."

Bruticus whirls on me, his red eyes blazing. The temperature in the room drops ten degrees. "Your father lies! I was there. I witnessed what happened with my own eyes."

"But you were just a child then." I step closer, trying to soothe him. "Memory plays tricks on us, especially with trauma-"

The roar that erupts from his throat shakes the windows. His bone spurs extend to their full length, scraping gouges in my ceiling. The sound reverberates through my chest cavity, setting my teeth on edge.

I stumble backward, my shoulder blades hitting the wall. My heart pounds against my ribs as I stare up at him. For the first time since I met him, I feel afraid.

The rage drains from his face, replaced by horror as he sees my fear. His bone spurs retract and his shoulders slump. The fierce warrior transforms into a broken man before my eyes.

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