Chapter Text
“Please, just give me a moment,” Lucanis said. He turned away and looked into the fire blazing in the fireplace. “He’ll get bored after everyone leaves.” He said it so casually. The demon that possessed him, but could not full control him but it had just thrown a tantrum, causing Lucanis’ nose to bleed after a sharp jolt of pain, like he had been hit hard, but nothing had touched him. At least, not that anyone else had seen.
Neve and Bellera exchanged glances, then stood and headed for the door. Emmra hesitated, she didn’t want to leave him alone. Not just because of Spite, but also she got the feeling that this man had already spent too much time in solitude. But she wanted to respect his request. As she followed the others out she quickly glanced back and saw him trying to wipe the blood from his face with the back of his hand, but only managed to smear it on his cheek and hand.
“Em.” She heard Neve calling her a few steps ahead. She walked faster to catch up with her. Emmra and Neve have worked together in the Shadow Dragons frequently enough. Neve used Emmra as her spy and gatherer of information for many jobs, it was only fitting that Varric had recruited them both for this particular mission. Emmra was grateful to have a familiar face on their growing team.
“What’s the matter?” Neve gave her a small smile, “Don’t trust our new recruit?”
Emmra shook her head. “No, it’s just..” she paused looking back at the closed door they just came through. She bit her lip then faced Neve again. “He just seems so…” she stopped again, looking for the right word. So what? She thought. Sad, lonely, broken…handsome. She shook the last thought as soon as it popped up. But it was too late. Neve caught her expression the instant the thought crossed her mind. She knew her tells too well.
“Oh Em, no,” she sighed, cocking her head to one side.
“No Neve that’s not…” she said quickly,shaking her head. “I don't think he is a threat to us, but I do feel like we should help him. But he seems to proud or stubborn or both, to ask for it.”
Neve’s brow furrowed. “Honey, he’s a crow. They don’t ask for help.” She placed her hand on Emmra’s arm. “Just…be careful.” Neve gave her arm a quick squeeze and headed back toward her room. She knew that Neve wasn't talking about the demon.
Emmra stood alone on the stone steps in front of the dining hall. She glanced back, he had asked for some time, and she wanted to respect that. She would give him a bit then check on him later. She turned and headed for the main building.
Lucanis paced in front of the fire for a good five minutes waiting for Spite to calm down. “She doesn't want to hurt you. She cares?” The menacing voice echoed in his head mockingly. “No, nobody cares! You should have let us talk to her!! I wanted to talk to Rook!” He yelled, enraged.
“Leave me alone, Spite.” Lucanis clenched his fists.
“I want to make a deal with Rook!” He yelled again.
“No,” Lucanis told him firmly. “Leave her out of this!”
Another jolt of pain hit him, his nose began to bleed again. The fits of taunting laughter started to fade, like an echo from far away, then it finally subsided. The presence was still there, but dormant for the time being. His mind was quiet. Now he could think.
He owed Rook a debt, he would carry it out, just like any contract. He wanted to return to Illario and his family but he was exceedingly grateful to have an excuse to be away. He didn’t want to face them and all their questions just yet. Someone had betrayed him a year ago. Someone he trusted. Someone close to him. He was pretty sure he knew the truth but wasn’t sure he could handle it just yet. A distraction was good. He needed to focus on work and doing what he did best. And also might give him time to figure out this Spite problem. He thought about hunting down Zara. He needed to catch her alive. He needed answers. He needed to get this demon out of him. The memory of her voice filled his head, her laughter, her taunts, the things she did to him. Then screaming in the Ossuary. He could never remember if the came from him, or someone else.
A soft knocking sound caused him to jump, hand flying to his dagger. He spun around ready to fight his attacker, only to find Rook standing in the opened doorway. Her eyes widened as she looked at his drawn weapon.
“I’m sorry”, they both said at the same time. Lucanis quickly returned his dagger to its sheath.
Rook gave him an apologetic smile, “ I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.” She said. The firelight in the room illuminated only one side of her face. It made her sun kissed skin glow like a warm ember. Her dark hair shimmered like smooth silk. The light reflected in her bright copper eyes. Lucanis realized he hadn’t said a word. She looked at him expectantly, then proceeded to come further into the room, slowly.
He studied her and tried to determine if she was afraid of him? Was she afraid that he would be taken over by Spite and attack her? Was he? He was fairly sure the dagger he was ready to throw at her when he heard her come in did not instill much trust in him. But her body language wasn’t defensive or fearful. She moved with caution but also grace, as if she was more afraid of frightening him. She was carrying a small porcelain bowl and a small towel draped over her arm.
He straightened his posture to a more professional stance. “I am used to a more…hostile environment.” He managed to say, attempting to explain his odd behavior.
Her face softened into a gentle smile. A dimple appeared on her right cheek.
“I’d imagine so.” She said sympathetically.
“I know you said you needed some time but,” she walked over to him and handed him the towel. “I thought you might need this.” She paused when he didn’t take it looking slightly confused.
“Uh,” she gestured underneath her nose, “if you wanted to clean up.” She grabbed the bowl and dipped part of the towel in the water.
“Of course,” Lucian cleared his throat. Taking the damp towel from her, he attempted to wipe the blood from face.
Emmra looked into the fire to avoid looking at him. She thought for a second and decided to break the silence.
“Does that happen..often?” She asked. ”Spite, hurting you?” She didn’t want to pry but it was hard to avoid the subject.
“It used to,” he said, with that air of casualty again. “In the Ossuary. Like I said, he gets bored with me now.” He handed her back the towel. “Thank you.”
She turned back to him, noticing there was still blood on his cheek and underneath his nose. She took the towel back, then dipped it in the water again.
“May I?” She asked, raising the towel to his face but stopped before touching him. “You missed a spot," she smiled, trying to put him at ease.
He eyed her suspiciously for a quick moment, then gave a stiff nod.
She gently began to dab the towel under his nose. Her warm fingers grazed his lips and his heartbeat sped, he felt the thumping in his chest that usually signaled to him that he was in danger. Then he remembered she was a mage. Was that what he was sensing? He could usually sense blood magic, was she about to use a healing spell on him? He unconsciously braced for the feeling that magic usually gave him, a strange itch behind his eyes.
But it never came. He was never quick to trust anyone, but she seems to be genuine in her concern at the moment.
She moved her hand to his cheek, removing more blood that he hadn’t realized was there. Her touch was gentle and slow. He risked a glance into her eyes. Perhaps he could read her motives. He usually had a way of reading people. Their intentions, the way they fight, they way they use magic. He wondered what secrets lie behind those copper eyes. He had just noticed she was looking back at him. They both quickly looked away. She began wiping the back of his hand. Something he could have clearly done himself had he even noticed it was there. But her warm hand held his and he didn’t feel the need to pull away.
Emmra felt very warm from the heat of the fire. She concentrated on the task at hand. Trying hard to not think of the way his lips gently parted as she grazed them with her fingers. It wasn’t intentional, but she found herself desperately wanting to do it again. She dared a quick glance into his eyes and was stunned to find him staring back into hers. The rich brown pools were so intense that she quickly looked away. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire. She quickly moved to wipe the last smudges of blood from his hand. They were rough and calloused but strong and warm. She noticed tiny scars on the back of it. She shuddered thinking of what it might have been like for him in that horrible prison. She imagined he had scars all over his body from a year in that place.
“I admire you,” She blurted out.
He raised a questioning brow at her.
“What you’ve been through, in the Ossuary," she finished with his hand and quickly turned away. Putting the blood stained towel in the bowl, and watched the water turn pink.
“That kind of thing would have have broken most people.” She finished
“I would not give Zara the satisfaction.” He responded.
She turned back to face him, leaning back against the table. “Still, you must be a very courageous person to make it through what she did to you.”
“Or a very stubborn one.” He said. “But that is kind of you to say.” His voice softened.
“Can I ask,” she stopped, wondering how far to push the conversation.
“It’s alright,” he assured her. “My head is much clearer now and I know you have a lot of questions.”
“How did she do it?” She asked carefully. “I thought demons could only possess mages.”
“They made me drink something,” he said. He remembered being strapped down. He was drowsy and dizzy, most like drugged. He couldn’t fight back. He couldn’t even speak. He could only grit his teeth and it took all his effort to just force a growl out of his throat. He shook off the memory and focused back on Rook.
“I don’t remember much after that.” He said.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have,” she tried to apologize.
“No it’s fine,” he said, “it’s something I wonder about myself. I’m skilled with any blade but I have all the magical abilities of a brick.” He joked. “I have no idea how it worked but Spite and I are stuck with each other,” he signed. “For now,’ he added.
“How were you captured? Is it routine for a crow to do that difficult of a job alone?” She asked.
"The job was not supposed to be difficult, just a normal assassination.” He shrugged. “Take out Calivan. Venatori mages are my specialty.”
“Mine too,” she shot back with a small grin. He gave a short laugh. A first at this point.
“My cousin was supposed to go with me, we often do jobs together because, well let’s just say Illario is a skilled assassin but is easily …” he thought for a moment, “distracted.”
“But he didn’t go with you?” She asked
“No, Catarina decided she needed him for a different job at the last minute. So I went on my own. “
“But you weren’t just a victim of opportunity, she was waiting for you.” It wasn’t a question, and clearly not the first time Lucanis had thought about it. She didn’t want to say it, but he seemed to know what she was thinking.
“I was betrayed by someone who knew the details of the job.” He acknowledged. “That would be Illario. Don’t think I haven’t thought about it for the past year.” He told her.
“Do you really think he could?” She asked.
“Yes and no,” he signed heavily, leaning his back against the stone of the fireplace. “Illario and I were very close as boys. He has been the only friend I’ve ever had and now he’s the last of my family.”
Emmra looked at him with sympathy. "I'm sorry,"
“What about Catarina? Would Zara really kill her, or do you think,” she paused, trying to figure out how to say it without being disrespectful, but the circumstance were entirely too suspicious. “Do you think she would ever…”
"No," Lucanis shook his head. “Zara wants revenge for me escaping, she would have no reason to hold Catarina hostage. She would want me to suffer by watching everyone close to me die."
Emmra didn't know what to say. What could she say? This man went from a prison to a tragedy. Again, she thought, most people would break.
“But I can’t really be sure of anything right now.” He said, looking into the fire. If Ilarrio did betray me,” he stared forward and frowned. “Well I need more time to think about it.” He said.
“Well,” she said, “any news you get of Zara," her eyes were wide and intense, "we'll get her for what she has done to you."
"Thank you," Lucanis nodded.
"But until then," there was that smile again. "Let me know if there is anything I can do."
“Right now,” he said, “I would kill for a decent cup of coffee.” He told her with a side grin.
“Have you?” She teased, glad for the break in the tension. Although she was mildly curious if he had. “For coffee, I mean.”
“Not today,” he said coyly.
She felt her cheeks flush again at the sight of his smile. She turned to pick up the bowl of water but bumped the edge of it instead, sending the water spilling over and the bowl clattered loudly against the table. She clenched her fits, frustrated with herself. She was not normally clumsy. She was never shy or flustered around men. Handsome, ugly, powerful, weak. Didn’t matter who they were or what position they were in. She prided herself on her charm and ability to talk pretty much anyone into doing what she wanted. Which mostly was giving her information, or coin. It’s funny how empty promises can loosen lips and purse strings faster that torture. Although the latter was a bit more fun.
She took in a deep breath, gathering herself, cleaning up her mess. He was now right beside her helping her dab up the water.
“Thank you,” she said embarrassed. What was wrong with her, she did not get embarrassed, not that easily anyway. She composed herself quickly and cleared her throat.
“Well, you won’t have to anytime soon, hopefully.” She said, pointing to the small kitchen situated behind them, wedged under the stairs to the outside balcony.
“There is coffee there, but I can’t guarantee it’s decent.”
“It’s a start,” he shrugged.
“Well, make yourself at home,” she said. “The crossroads are a little dicey but the lighthouse is safe enough.” She said, “And feel free to pick out a room for yourself,” she started to head toward the door, “ the lighthouse has a way of, uh, getting you what you need.” She gestured with her eyes, indicating to their surroundings.
More magic, Lucanis thought, of course.
“Don't worry about me, I will be fine there,” he pointed toward the small room off the dinning hall.
“Umm,” she chuckled, “I believe that’s the pantry.”
“That is fine, it has a cot in the back, which is all I need, I don’t sleep much anyway. “ he said. “Spite is…stronger when I sleep so I try not to do it much.”
“That doesn’t sound healthy.” Emmra said, concerned again.
“Don’t worry, my work will speak for itself. Spite won’t be a problem.” He told her. “Just tell me what god you need me to stab and I’ll get the job done.”
She gave him a very charming smile . “Well, I appreciate you joining us.”
“My pleasure.” He replied. Not something he normally said to his employers but this job was much more…personal.
She left the dining hall and stepped outside into the warm sunlight, at least she thought it was sunlight. The fade was still a bit disorienting.
She liked him. She liked everyone in the team so far, Bellara, Harding of course Neve. But something about him truly intrigued her. And it wasn’t the demon in him. That was a slightly more terrifying aspect of him, so why didn’t she find him terrifying? she wondered. Maybe her powers of self preservation were waning, then again they were never that good to begin with.
