Paragon

⊰❉⊱ 73 ⊰❉⊱

Quinn groaned into her hands against the kitchen counter. 

I pushed a fresh cup against her elbow whilst I typed.

"What are you writing–on a weekend?" Quinn murmured, pulling one of her hands away to take a long sip.

"I'm agreeing to meet with Vanguard Security next week." I murmured, formatting the email.

She raised an eyebrow at me but remained silent. I finished my response and sent it to their head recruiter before closing the lid and looking at her.

"Now I have a purpose outside of Paragon." I drawled, bringing my hands together and placing my jaw on them.

Quinn smiled slowly.

"And what purpose do the immortals have for you?" She asked, calmly.

Ah. She had not forgotten. In fact, she was waiting on asking the right question. How very Quinn Adams... I hadn't realised my hands had become fists until she spoke again.

"Fletcher, I know there's something going on."

"Isn't there always?" I said, with humour that didn't reach my eyes.

She waited. I breathed slowly.

"I have to make a choice. One that will condemn three lives, and there is nothing I can do to stop it."

She carefully lowered her coffee as she gauged my reaction.

"What does that mean?" She asked low.

I sighed heavily. "It means I will turn three mortals into monsters and I have until the Summer Solstice to do it."

She drew in a quick breath but I didn't meet her eyes. I was too much of a coward for that. I couldn't lie to her about this, but it didn't mean I wish she hadn't asked me so directly... 

"This–is because you're an Elder now?" She asked in a quiet voice. Unsure.

I nodded, watching the morning sun cut through her curtains.

"I... don't know what to say."

This time I did chuckle with true humour.

"You and me both, Adams. I'm not ready to turn them... let alone train them–"

"You what?" She cut in, "–train them to do what?"

I gestured to myself unceremoniously. She scanned my face for a long moment that started to drive me slightly insane when I listened to the clock tick away in her hallway.

"Can you please tell me what you're thinking?" I demanded.

She moved off her stool and went for the fridge, shaking her head as she did. She wore an oversized t-shirt with her University logo on it that made me wonder what adventures it had been through to earn a few holes in it.

"They just can't leave you the fuck alone..." She muttered, routing through it to find a yoghurt pot. She drew out a spoon and leant against the counter as she thought about my words. "–and how the hell are you supposed to choose?"

"Who I change?" I asked.

She sank in a spoonful and nodded in exasperation. "Your guy took you-out of a war zone." She said around a mouthful, making me smirk. My guy, was one of the most powerful Elders Paragon had ever known. "That's not funny, Fletcher!"

"My apologies." I conceded, "-the spoon was giving your words added intimidation." 

She glared at me, setting it down all together and bracing her arms back against the cool granite behind her.