Shadows of Truth and Deception (Levi • OC)

CHAPTER 33 - Genesis

genesis /ˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/ — the origin or mode of formation of something

     Theo's house was surprisingly cozy. He transformed a small townhouse into a warm home where plants thrived in every corner, delicate glass trinkets dangled from the ceiling, and soft lamplights bathed the room in a gentle glow. Reinae knew why his home looked the way it did—he made it as different from the underground as possible. He made it warm, sunny, and full of life.

     She spent long minutes in the morning enjoying the sunlight streaming through the eastern window as she lay on the sofa. Levi had left a few hours earlier to check for any reports from the battlefield. He had stayed the entire night, tending to Theo and convincing Reinae to rest.

     He was amazing. Levi. That night, she felt she had fallen even deeper in love with him. His willingness to help her without a single question, the way he meticulously stitched Theo's wound despite barely knowing him, meant something because he did it for her—because it was important to her.

     Even the way he cared for her after, helped her shower, made her tea, brushed the black dye from her hair, and insisted she rest while he took care of her friend, it all awakened something in her—she saw him in a new, even brighter light. Most of all, it was the way he thanked her for coming to him with such genuine relief and appreciation that it made her heart swell. She had always handled everything alone, then showed up bruised and bloody before him. She never asked him for help with anything, and the fact that this time she did showed how deep into her heart she'd let him.

     Reinae rubbed the bridge of her brows, releasing a deep breath before swinging her legs from the sofa and standing up. The sting in her abdomen reminded her of the bruises she didn't need to see to know were forming. Pushing her messy hair back, she quietly climbed the stairs and peeked into Theo's bedroom.

     He seemed to be sleeping, but when she opened the door to enter, his eyes fluttered open, and a faint smile touched his lips. Her heart lightened at the sight.

     "How are you feeling?" she asked quietly, guilt lacing her voice.

     Theo patted the mattress beside him with his good hand, and she sat down. He studied her face for a long moment before speaking.

     "You once told me that sacrifices are necessary in the world we live in. That we can't save everyone and achieve what we want," he began, his voice calm. "Remember that?"

     She did. He was talking about a mission where she had faced an impossible choice: save two girls from being trafficked to Mitras or eliminate a black-marked rebel who had caused countless deaths. Saving the girls would spare two lives, but eliminating the rebel would prevent a myriad of others from suffering in the future. The right choice had been clear, but Theo disapproved at the time. It was one of the few rough arguments they'd ever had.

     "You always had your priorities straight, Rei," Theo continued with a slight smile. "So you can't blame yourself for me getting hurt in helping you fight the greater evil."

     "My priorities were always my family," she replied, her voice strained. "No matter what."

     "Your family got hurt in the past, too," he gently reminded her. "Jasper was caught by the traffickers. Aiden got his leg broken in a fight. But you saved them from death that would follow each time. As you did me." He took her hand in his. "So, thank you."

     "Don't thank me," she whispered, shaking her head. "You got shot and could've died. I was so panicked I couldn't even stitch you up—Levi did. And the man who shot you was Jannes Jensen. And I killed him."