I never planned to ask Lucian for help.
That was the biggest problem, because he always kept appearing.
As usual, I found him in the old court hall where he casually sat on the judge's bench, reading a law journal.
"Do you always follow me?" I asked as I crossed my arms.
He didn't look up. "Well, you have been pacing in that corridor for the last ten minutes."
"I really love walking."
"Wow, Celestia. The award for the most terrible lies goes to you."
I straightened up and walked toward him. "Then let's be honest. My guts are saying that you know something about my sister's death."
He finally looked into my eyes.
"More than you think," he said carefully. "None of them are comforting."
My throat tightened. "Then tell me those not-so-comforting secrets."
He closed the law book. "And what would I get in return?"
I scoffed. "You already saved my life."
"I didn't do it because I care," he replied. "That was to not let you go close to danger."
"Then why did you save me? If you didn't care, you could have just left me!" I said, shrugging.
Ha, got him! He didn't even have an answer to my question.
"I am investigating Aurora's death," I said. "Not the version where I saw you hurting her, but the truth."
Lucian studied me like a chessboard.
"You are not ready for that," he said.
"Of course I am ready!" I said cheerfully
He sighed in exasperation and stood up.
"You're really reckless," he continued, "and stubborn."
"I am still standing!" I shot back.
I could see he was trying to hold a smile.
"That's the problem."
"I will help you," he said.
I was shocked. "Wait, what? Just like that?"
"No." He turned, eyes dark. "With conditions."
Of course, that's how it's supposed to be. Who would want to help for free without expecting anything in return?
"First of all," Lucian said, "you should never confront anyone without telling me."
"I am not your subordinate."
"You will be if you want to stay alive and not die."
"Hmph!"
"Second," he continued, "you should stop digging into things you will never understand."
"That literally defeats the point."
"That is why I am involved, madam."
I exhaled slowly. "And the third?"
His gaze lingered a bit longer.
"Do not trust me always," he said.
"I don't trust you fully!"
"Good," he replied. "Then we are even."
I frowned. "That's all?"
"For now."
We stood there, an invisible line between us.
"You were there the night Aurora died," I said quietly.
"Yes."
"And?"
"And you don't yet know enough to hear the rest."
"I know I read something about this random ritual, and Aurora was involved in some cult," I said.
He was silent for a second.
"You are hiding something," I said.
We walked out together, side by side, but not really close.
"Whatever thing your sister was involved in," he sa.id, his voice turning low, "they are not yet finished."
I swallowed. "With her?"
"Nope. With you."
I was shocked. "What do you mean?"
He dropped me off at my dorm and left.
.