Inside Umbra's Ruins ✓ [Umbra's Fate #2]

ꜰᴏᴜʀᴛᴇᴇɴ: ʟᴏʀᴄᴀɴ

"I can't do that," said Patrick, Lorcan's father. "Why don't you fill a report at the station if you want the police to take the case?"

The young man heaved a sigh, his hand moved unconsciously and he took Agatha's bracelet out of his pocket. He let out his frustration as he played with it.

"As can be expected from you, always the politically correct answer," spat Lorcan.

He leaned back, resting his body against the chair he was sitting on. The member of the Protectors paid attention to the tension that appeared in his father's back after his answer, it lasted only a second before he went back to cook breakfast.

"What are you trying to say? I thought I had taught you to be clear and direct."

The man diverted his gaze from the scrambled egg towards the window in front of the kitchen counter, he seemed to be lost in the blue sky and the green of the backyard.

"I'm being direct, you're just pretending to not understand my words," said Lorcan before taking the first bite of his toast. "What I mean is that you worry more about being correct at work about your family. We've been here before, asking for a favor and always getting the correct procedure talk."

"The rules are made for a reason, it's not fair for the other villagers if I show preferences for you."

"I'm your son, you're supposed to prefer me over the others. I'm not asking you to abandon your current case, I just want you to ask if one of your coworkers saw something out of the ordinary."

Patrick put his plate on the table and sat in front of his son. His gaze met the young man's, Lorcan thought he saw sadness present in his brown eyes.

"I know Agatha is important for you, I can understand why you're so upset but I don't think I can do much."

"I never asked you for help for the Protectors, I had so many questions but still I didn't ask because I know you won't help. Can't you just make one exception?" The hand holding the bracelet couldn't stop shaking. "It's been days and I don't have any answers, the only thing I know is that the demons have her. And if they decide they no longer need her?"

Patrick finished eating his breakfast. Silently he got up from the table and began to wash his plate. Lorcan, sunk in grief, lost interest in his food, concentrating instead on following his father's precise movements. He knew the man was considering his petition, otherwise he would have already expressed his negative answer.

What could he say to convince the man? The young man didn't think there was anything else left to say, he presented his case, now it was up to the other to accept it or not.

The policeman dried his hand with the dish towel and walked away from the sink. He stopped next to his son.

"I'll see what I can do," he said, still looking at the door. "Just this once, it won't hurt anyone if I just ask my colleagues a few questions, but don't expect a detailed report. In exchange, do me a favor and look after your brother."

Then he left. Lorcan wanted to thank him, however he understood that his father preferred to continue his quiet morning before going to work, so he promised himself that he would thank him the next time he saw him.

Another little step closer to Agatha, that's how he felt. Every crumble of information he could gather held an immense value for him.

His visit within her dreams awakened a new conviction inside him. Feeling her presence for just a few minutes cast away his sorrows, even without using her powers she had a healing effect on him. On the other hand, it made him crave for her presence even more, and to confirm that she remained captive of the demons only increased his fear.