Truth Stealers (Thief's Signal: Book 1)

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Lucy sat by Jag's bed, holding his hand steadily.

"I'm sorry I let him beat me," Jag whispered painfully. "But in the end...I came back. And now I can tell you how much I have always loved you, Lucy." It was all he could say to her, but he meant every word.

"Why?" she asked softly, but something lingered behind her eyes, something steely and determined that Jag didn't understand.

"Now you understand..."

"Understand what?" she asked, suddenly desperate.

"Right and wrong doesn't matter to some people. All some people care about is hurting others. It's their only form of pleasure."

Lucy looked up from his arms. "But why you?" Her voice was now barely more than a whisper. But she knew the answer. She knew everything.

Jag smiled at her. She still probably hadn't put it together that he had married her whilst still assuming the identity if Nimio. But maybe it didn't matter to her.

"Tell Gregariza...what I have told you."

She was still crying, but this time more quietly.

"Lucy? You have to tell him."

"Okay."

"I'll see you on the other side," Jag said softly. "And if there isn't another side, well, I'm glad I met you anyway. Being a meta-human was pretty cool..."

Jag's head lulled against his pillow, and he stared blankly at the ceiling.

Lucy went silent. She sat there for a few moments, in utter silence. Then finally, she brought herself to reach up and close his eyes.

She didn't say anything. Because she was in on it all. Jag thought he was the double agent. But Lucy was working for the Regime from the very start.

She was the safeguard for Drigs and Hejenfrey, the eye that watched over them in case anything happened, but they didn't know that she was the one watching. Only their boss, High Lord Sheyn knew that. And she couldn't put a step wrong now, for soon she could become their only agent left in the Preachers' facility.

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