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"He's obsessed with the old gods."

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IF IT WASN'T for his eyes betraying the depletion of his former self, I would have thought he looked slightly better, standing straighter and firmer.

His pale lips and the stray strand of silky hair that tossed the side of his face were still a reminder that despite his obvious condition, he was still dominant in some strange way.

I found myself looking away from him, knowing the last time we spoke I had distinctively asked him to stay away from me.

It was of course, after the decisions I had made realizing that apart from the twins, growing closer to both Harvest and Lucas hadn't helped me in the long run.

Instead, I had managed to make an enemy out of Daya, which would have been bearable if at all, she hadn't been my roommate.

However, since this was not the case.

I found myself in a similar position with David, simply sleeping with one eye open as our roommates were not on the accommodating end.

At this point, all I wanted her to do was ignore me like she had done before.

To her, I was glad to be non-existent.

Mr. Ogustus was the first to break the silence.

"Ah, Lucas," he began, a slight shimmer in his eyes, "I expected you yesterday," he huffed, eyebrows drawing together and yet he didn't sound much alarmed.

I didn't look up even when he answered, still feeling his strong hazel gaze on me,

"I had something to...fix," he trailed off.

My eyes shifted slightly to Mr. Ogustus who raised a bushy eyebrow, "I assume it wasn't near the others?"

Lucas grunted something that I suspected meant no.

"I hate to remind you, but sadly it is my duty," Mr. Ogustus chuckled, wrinkles developing on the corners of his eyes, and I risked a glance at Lucas who was looking at Mr. Ogustus for a moment, eyes narrowed- before his sharp gaze suddenly shifted back to me

I held it for a moment, before feeling more uncomfortable, glancing at Mr. Ogustus.

"Oh, I suppose introductions are in order-" Mr. Ogustus began, glancing from Lucas to me with a bright smile.

"No need, Talanda and I are already acquainted," Lucas replied almost immediately.

Mr. Ogutus's smile faltered a little, a thoughtful look crossing his features accompanied by a surprised one.

"Ah," he began whilst I took in a calming breath, but timidly nodded a yes when his thoughtful gaze met mine in silent questioning.

"I see," he grunted with a slight nod, eyes shining as his eye traveled to Lucas, whose eyes I could still feel on me.

"Well," Mr. Ogutus continued once again breaking the silence, "I found this youngling in the hallways and open spaces," he grunted, "bored out of her mind it seemed, I suggested a place where she could be somewhat entertained," he huffed, placing both hands on his cane.

"However, in truth, my old age allows my energy to entertain only one," he shrugged, his tone drifting off, "but since you're here, and you require company as you do claim to be dosed of the same, Why don't you both entertain each other," he finished grinning encouragingly, glancing between us.

My eyes traveled to him, heart pounding softly at his suggestion, knowing I couldn't refuse.

Mr. Ogustus had been so kind, and I didn't want him to get suspicious.

I inwardly rolled my eyes at the thought. SUSPICIOUS OF WHAT?

Nothing was going on between Lucas Bowne and me.

My eyes traveled up to meet Lucas for a moment, and I repeated it as his eyes bore deep in the mine.

NOTHING IS GOING ON BETWEEN LUCAS AND ME.

"Well?" Mr. Ogustus asked.

It was then Lucas's gaze moved off from me, nodding as he adjusted his hoody.

Mr. Ogustus looked at me for my confirmation, and I found myself slightly nodding, scratching my wrists for a moment.

He glanced at the action momentarily, but a smile that came after made me feel like I was seeing things.

"Brilliant," he huffed with a tap of his cane turning to Lucas, "I would suggest showing her around. All this cannot exist if not to be admired," he suggested as Lucas nodded, "and treat her with care, I am fond of this youngling, I find her to be...different," he paused at this, glancing at me and I felt my cheeks heating up at the compliment.

"Oh, I understand," Lucas replied, eyes shifting to me.

Mr. Ogustus nodded, before turning to me, "do not fear his brooding youngling, it gets lonely when one is subjected to quarantine," he hinted lowly to me before looking between us.

"I will be perfecting my art, you will know where to find me when the time comes," he noted with a slight twinkle in his eyes before moving away from us.

He walked back to the glass box placing the artifact in before a final nod in our direction and moving a door, disappearing out of sight.

And then we were alone.

Silence consumed the two of us, but something told me it was only awkward for me.

He stood there calmly, eyes studying me as if waiting for me to start the conversation.

I didn't know how to do that, especially with the way our last one ended if at all it could qualify to be named a 'conversation."

I hesitated for a moment, looking down before gaining a bit of courage and singing, "Quarantine?"

That seemed to bring him out of it, and he nodded with a ghost of a smile on his face as he came down the last stairs, slowly, pausing on the last one.

"I stay here during the last few days," he began, "it's for the best."

I didn't know how to respond to this expression-wise, and I found myself nodding.

He came down the last step eyes studying me softly, "are you alright?' he asked.

I was taken aback by this, eyes shifting away, but quickly nodding.

He paused at this, studying my face as if searching for a lie before nodding, sighing softly as he glanced in the direction Mr. Ogustus had disappeared to.

"Uh-He doesn't bring many people around, he must like you," he then stated.

My heartbeat quickened, my throat dry, but managed a slight shrug, before looking at him, eyes narrowing, pointing at him questionably.

"Oh I'm here because he's my Prime," Lucas replied, "and he is probably the only person who understands what I'm going through, and of course, he's one of the few who can subdue me if anything...changes," he replied, his tone lower at the end.

I studied his face as he said this, noting when he looked away, swallowing for a moment, but his shiny hazel eyes were back on me in the next second.

"I guess I have to show you around," he stated a smirk on his face.

I nodded, pursing my lips. It seemed so.

He paused for a moment, glancing at the glass cases,

"He showed you the armor he was making already didn't he?" he huffed a smile on his lips now.

I nodded, eyes trailing to the spear in the case, now just a metal rod.

"He's obsessed with the old gods," Lucas chuckled, his eyes shining, "let me show you something," he suddenly stated, a twinkle in his eyes.

My eyebrows arched at this but he gestured toward the stares,

"C'mon, you'll be blown away, believe me," he grunted before leading me up the stairs.

My eyebrows were arched wondering where he was taking me, however, I was ready for an adventure.

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Clues coming up!

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