Chapter 48 - Old Allies

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"Kentay?"

His name leaves your lips in a whisper so deeply coated in a bitter hope that you don't even realize it as your own voice. James tenses, pushing you back. But you fight against his gentle guidance, pushing away the arm that keeps you caged in as your eyes remain glued to the massive figure that slowly stands.

From the far corner of your room the monolithic shadow takes a step. And another. Until it moves directly into the gentle light shining in from outside, and those familiar amber eyes gaze back.

"Welcome home," that familiar accent utters warmly.

You stifle a sob as every single nerve in your body feels like a thread frayed at the ends. A white-hot flash of pain spreads across your forehead leaving noisy static behind. But you don't care. You take a step towards him but a hand catches yours, pulling you back.

"Y/n, stop," James whispers in a rasping growl from beside you. "We can't trust him."

You hear him, but you can't tear your eyes from Kentay whose gaze remains locked on you. 

"You don't tell her who to trust," Kentay says, the soothing rhythm of his accent causing tears to form in your eyes. It's him. He's alive.

"You're with them," spits James, tightening his grip on your hand and forcibly pulling you back, nearly causing you to lose your footing as you stumble and find yourself once more caged in behind strong arms.

Kentay lets out a low growl and takes a menacing step forward. "Don't touch her," he seethes.

James' lip curls as his fingers twitch towards the knife in his belt. You know you have to stop this before it escalates. But the shock has yet to wear off leaving you speechless. Until Kentay reaches out a hand.

"Y/n," he whispers, stretching out his hand to you. "Come to me."

A tug in your chest fuels a desire to reach for him in turn. But doubt paralyzes you. Kentay's expression softens as he frowns, eyes widening as they flit between you and James.

"You...you believe I'd hurt you?" he asks. 

"No," you answer quickly, earning a tense side-eyed glare from James. "B-but the Company, they-"

"Have been looking for you, Y/n," Kentay interrupts urgently. "I have been looking for you. For months. To bring you home."

"Home?" you question in disbelief. "No, I-I saw my aliases. The Company burned me."

"That wasn't us," Kentay says, frowning. "And if you'll notice, it wasn't all of your aliases."

An angry and startled huff from James at your side causes you to cringe. It's true. Only three of your aliases had been reported. And you hadn't told him about your others. 

 "I tried to stop it," Kentay says. "When I heard about the news report, I was able to get a few of them pulled. Someone, or something, had better control over the media."

"B-but," you stammer, confused. "Why? Why would the Company want me back? I left. I killed one of our own people and I-I-I released an asset," you question, skeptical.

"Yes. The Spectre died. But I told them what happened," Kentay says gently, coaxing you down as your tone grows frantic. "When I woke up I told them everything. How you were coerced. Kidnapped," he says angrily, throwing a dirty glare at James who lets out a low growl and takes another step back. "I've been looking for you, Y/n. Please...just come home."

Kentay takes a step closer, reaching out his hand to you once more as you stand squarely between the two men.  This time, you take a step forward as if magnetized. Pulled by a force you can't see. 

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