The Sympathizer

Chapter 33

Lazarus and his entourage are already here by the time I exit the washrooms. I catch his wandering eye, gaze settling on me with laser focus.

Lucian has his back to us when I walk up to the group. Lazarus's hand coils around my waist like a snake, pulling me away from Lucian and closer to him. 

"I see you snuck out. How was the Western Border?" He says into my ear, sending tingles of apprehension down my arms. 

"It felt nice to look out into space. Felt freeing," I say and then I bend down and take a long swig of my drink. 

The party animals brought out the good stuff today. The drink burns my throat and then settles in my belly, causing a warmth to spread through out my body. After a few drinks, my steps are lighter, my worries less important. 

It is one of those rare days where the three of us Trinity have a good time together. We cheers and drink and laugh without a care about anything else. 

And I love it despite the fact that this moment won't last. 

Lucian and Lazarus are having a ball of a time, both clearly inebriated as they play a form of improvised chess on the table while I chat with the others. I try not to think of Ron or the experiments or the fact that I will be going back to Lazarus's again tonight. 

Every time one worry trickles in, I drown it out with a sip of my drink. So much so that at the end of the night, I'm barely able to walk. Lucian gives me a yearning look as I leave with Lazarus. I wave him goodbye but my insides churn uncomfortably the further I am from him. 

"Tonight was nice," Lazarus squeezes my thigh once we are in the backseat of his glider. His driver rolled up the divider, giving us some privacy and now Lazarus strokes my leg suggestively. 

"It was," I slur, leaning my head against the console. 

"Another drink?" He presses a button that reveals the mini bar in the back of the glider and proceeds to pour a drink for himself. 

"Some oxygen infused drink would be great," I tell him and he prepares my drink for me immediately. When he hands it to me I don't take a sip. 

"Are you taking me home?" I ask him, my throat tight. 

"Yes, we are going home." 

"My parents-."

"Your parents suggested we stay together for a short while. To iron out our differences before the wedding." 

I swallow the ball of worry that has lodged in my throat. 

Lazarus has his attendants escort me to his bed room while he attends to a few things downstairs. I get ready silently, steadying my breaths so that I don't have another melt down. I still haven't drunk or eaten anything the attendants left for me, afraid they might be drugged. 

I'm brushing my hair when he finally comes in. He leans against the door, staring at me. 

"Beautiful," He murmurs, looking satisfied. "I could get used to this." 

Colour rises in my cheeks, I don't even know why that statement made me feel shy. 

"Make yourself at home." He gestures to the bed, the table and then the sofas by the screens at the back of the room. "I'm going to wash up." 

I nod but the moment he goes into the shower, I rush to the door. I check it a few times just to be sure and release a sigh of relief because it's unlocked. Not knowing what to do with myself, I walk around the room and open up the cupboards, noting that my clothes have already been pressed and laid out next to his.