Page 86 of Between Earth and Eternity
“Where is she?” I ask, leaning on the desk, punctuating every word.
Vallen sighs heavily. “Do you mind if we continue this conversation later, Tyson? I have something to take care of.”
“Of course, sir.” The man stands quickly, and Bex shows him out in a rush.
Once their footsteps fade, Vallen lets the mask fall. “I would ask what you think you’re doing, but I believe the question is moot at this point,” he says, locking his ringed fingers together. His voice is controlled, but I can see the rage building in his eyes, never quite green or brown, always somewhere between darkness and light.
“What did you do with Runa?”
“She was reassigned.”
“Reassigned where?”
“A new work assignment off Zenith.” My stomach drops, and it must show on my face because he adds, “She isn’t dead, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
It’s exactly what I was thinking, and I don’t fully believe him.
“But why?”
“It’s none of your concern,” he says flatly.
I take another step toward him. “I would’ve thought after spending the night in your suite, after you saved my life . . . I thought we had a moment . . .” I trail off.
“What? You think that means I owe you an explanation?”
I shrug, my cheeks burning.
He stands, leaning over the desk to meet me at eye level. “I don’t owe you a damn thing.”
From the moment I stepped foot on this ship, it has been wall after wall. Nowhere to go, but secrets lurk in every corner, behind every locked door while people keep their own hidden agendas. No matter what I do, I end up back here, standing in front of the person whose family and influence placed me on this ship against my will, took me away from my family, hold the fate of the people of Earth in their hands. Yet the simplest question remains unanswered—why?
It seems utterly pointless to press it, but I do anyway.
“Why did you save my life?” I ask, barely above a whisper.
It feels like an age, but it’s only a few seconds.
“You may be a pain in my ass, but I meant what I said, Sky.” His eyes shift to something softer, more sincere rather than rage. “You are a force in this universe that cannot simply be gone. I won’t allow it if I can help it.”
My eyes blur with tears. I quickly look away, hiding under my personal shield, the real reason I find such comfort in donningmy hat nearly every day. But then Vallen reaches out, pinching the brim and lifting it just enough so he can see my eyes.
“And because I would rather you look at me with those stunning eyes full of hate than not look at me at all.”
I don’t know if it’s the slight edge in his tone or the way my chest caves, but for once, I believe him. However, although I think it’s the truth, it doesn’t make me feel any better. He lowers his hand, so I take a step back, like he’s releasing me from a trance.
“So you can’t tell me the truth, but I’m supposed to call you any time I feel depressed? That’s not confusing at all,” I hiss sarcastically. “All this time, you’ve claimed I’m a mystery, yet you’re the one who speaks in riddles, Vallen. But I guess someone like you, who can demand anything with the snap of his fingers, doesn’t have to play by the rules like the rest of us.”
Vallen’s jaw ticks at hearing his own words against him. He returns to his chair behind the desk. “It doesn’t matter what you say, I can’t give you the answers you want,” he replies, crossing his arms.
I tilt my head down, hiding my rage and disbelief under the brim again.
“Just accept it and move on, Sky.” He sounds annoyed, and that cuts just as deep as the words themselves, like blades embedded into my skin.
I steady myself before I look up to meet his gaze. “One minute, you’re cruel, the next, you care. Pick a side, Vallen. I can’t spend the rest of the journey to Eden like this. Please, for both our sanities.”
I turn my back to him, rushing from the room. I was foolish to ever think I was worthy enough to be a player in a Mannox world.
He doesn’t call me back, doesn’t say a word. It will always go his way; he will always bend the rules, and I will always be the pawn, just another piece in the grand scheme.
