Page 157 of Their Reckless Thief
A raw, instinctual pull urged me to finally tell her everything—every hidden truth, every regret, every sacrifice. It was lodged in my chest, desperate to be freed, a confession woven into every lie and shadow I’d once wrapped myself in. She deserved to know, deserved to understand the lengths I’d gone to for herand for others. I wanted her to know every piece of me, even the darkest ones.
I opened my mouth, the words forming like they’d finally been given permission to rise. Suddenly, invisible chains wrapped around my throat, silencing me before I could utter even a word. It pulled tight, ruthless, and unyielding. I struggled to breathe, each inhale scraping against the bond’s hold. The curse lashed out, enforcing the silence with a vengeance, and I choked, my lungs burning.
“Luca!” Alarm flared in Celeste’s eyes. “What’s happening? Are you okay?”
It took everything to push down the binding magic’s grip, to quell the raw helplessness clawing up from within. I swallowed hard, trying to compose myself, the bitterness of failure heavy on my tongue. I would have to find another way to tell her, a different path to lead her closer to the truth.
“There’s more to it than you know,” I said finally, my voice hoarse. I lifted my wrist, the markings stark in the dim light. “This is connected to what’s happening to you.” I hoped the faint glimmer of truth in my words would be enough for now. I watched understanding flash in her gaze, her worry bleeding into confusion.
She sighed. “Connected how, Luca? Please, just tell me what this means.”
I searched for words that would skirt the curse’s edges without provoking it. Everything was tangled, cloaked in shadows I couldn’t peel back. “Some people… can’t fight certain battles alone,” I said slowly, choosing each word with the care of someone walking a tightrope. “They need help, but that help often comes with a cost. A steep one.” I gestured between my markings and hers, letting her see the parallel. “When that cost is paid, it binds you, in ways that can’t always be undone.”
“You’re talking in riddles, Luca. What are you trying to say?”
I wanted to scream, to rage against the curse that had my throat in a vise grip. I wanted to demolish the walls that held my words captive, to pour out every secret, every sacrifice, to let her see the scars that ran deeper than any mark the Shadow had left. Instead, I took a breath, steadying the frustration that churned beneath my skin.
“Celeste, if I could tell you… if I could make you understand, I would,” I said, my voice raw, barely holding back the weight of my helplessness. “But there are things I can’t say. Things I’ll never be allowed to say.” I looked deeply into her eyes, hoping she could see the truth I couldn’t speak. “Just know I’m doing everything I can to keep you safe. Even if that means there are things you’ll never know.”
Her hand came up to my cheek, easing the ache inside me. “And you think I wouldn’t understand?”
I managed a small, bitter smile, one that held the sadness I could never quite express. “That’s not it. The truth it’s dark. It’s twisted, and it’s hidden between the words left unsaid.”
She brushed her fingers over my cheek, and the softness in her gaze anchored me in a way I hadn’t known I needed. She understood that I was trying, that every barrier was one I fought against for her. And in that moment, the heaviness in my chest lifted a little so I could breathe.
I put my hand over hers on my cheek and squeezed it gently, everything I couldn’t say lingering between us. It wasn’t enough…not by far. But it was all I could give.
49
CELESTE
As I reflectedon Luca’s words from the night before, I was surprised to find myself feeling safe even with all the darkness in our midst. Even if I didn’t fully understand what he’d meant—what he’d tried to tell me about the costs of loyalty and protection—I had no doubts about how far he’d go to keep me safe. It was a truth he hadn’t dared voice, but I’d seen the promise in his gaze. It sat with me now, like an ember I held close, fending off the cold reality creeping in around us.
Today, I felt more grounded, the mark’s relentless pull a low whisper rather than the gnawing ache it had been for days. It seemed my body was finally adjusting to the parasite within, bending it to my will, if only temporarily. I clung to that stability as I followed Vivian and the others into Vincenzo’s office, hoping today would be a good day, and that I’d stay in control.
Once we were all gathered, Vivian’s eyes narrowed on us like we were pieces of a puzzle she had to slot into the right place. This heist was nothing like any other job we’d done. Every detail was a potential danger, every decision a potential trigger. Vivian’s mouth set in a grim line as she flipped the hologram on and pulled up a set of maps and blueprints.
“We have new intel.” She glanced at each of us in turn, pausing on Luca. “The security around the mirror is even tighter than we thought. Sentries around the clock, especially after dark, and the stray’s got sensory wards specifically tuned to detect magic that doesn’t align with his own.
“Luca, you’ll have to keep any magic veiled once we’re in,” she instructed, a warning clear in her words. “We’ll only have one shot to bypass his security.”
He nodded, his jaw tight, clearly less than thrilled. “Understood.”
Vivian turned to me. “Celeste, you’ll have to stay sharp. The mirror’s in the center of the compound, buried under layers of physical and magical defenses. Your intuition is key here. We’ll need every advantage.”
“I can handle it,” I said, surprised at the steadiness in my voice.
Vivian watched me with a mixture of expectation and resolve. She trusted me. She relied on me. It was an uncomfortable feeling, but it stirred something fierce in my chest.
Clearing her throat, Vivian glanced between the men. “One more thing,” she began. “Remember, this isn’t The Below. We’re operating in human territory, which means we’ll have to rely on Celeste far more than any of you are used to. The security there—guards, alarms, dogs—won’t be fooled by magic alone. They’re on alert, and any mistake we make will be amplified.”
Dorian arched a brow and exchanged a look with Vincenzo, who nodded but appeared unfazed. “Dogs?” he scoffed, though there was a wariness behind his smirk. “I think I can handle that.”
“Don’t be so certain,” Vivian replied, giving him a look that cut straight through the bravado. “If those dogs catch our scent or pick up on any unnatural energy, they’ll be on us faster thanany of the wards will trigger. We’re operating within the limits of human knowledge and technology, and that’s something magic can’t always counter.”
A sudden, searing pain flared along my arm, a sharp, burning ache that yanked a gasp from my throat. I looked down, horrified as the dark markings spiraled up my skin, twisting and pulsing like something alive. Instinctively, I met Luca’s gaze across the table. He was beside me in an instant, pulling me into his embrace as the pain intensified, each pulse sharper than the last.
“Luca—” I choked, gripping his arm as the sensation clawed its way through my bones. But before I could say another word, a sickening weight pulled me down, dragging me from reality and into a suffocating illusion. Straight from the monster himself.
