[Coeburn High School, Lunch Time]
Fidelis sat on the floor of the boys' bathroom, his eyes unfocused, his mind merging with Sera's. This time it was different. It felt as if they were joined at the soul level. Her pain, her fear, her hatred—all of it swam through him, drowning him in her emotions.
He couldn't tell where he ended, and she began. It was the strangest sensation, and then, the bond synced their vision into one, and he was looking out through her eyes.
He got a confused glimpse of a desk and men's pants before Sera closed her eyes. He felt her surprise and pain. The fire of a blow hit, and he heard Sera's scream of agony.
Her father's voice purred, "Better."
Fidelis couldn't stop his emotions from hitting Sera. His worry and anger for her safety rose sharply before he could stop himself. Abruptly, she slammed up her mental walls and closed the fated mark. He was hurled back into his own body, his gasp of breath filling his lungs.
He punched his fist against the stall's wall and cursed. Sera's father was hurting her again! He managed to stand. He leaned his forehead against the wall, closing his eyes in frustration.
"Sera, I will save you," he vowed.
Fidelis left the stall, went to the sink, and threw water on his face. He glared at his reflection in the mirror. He had to get it together. He didn't need the teachers asking questions. He left the bathroom, saw the time, and hurried to fifth period.
He hadn't even heard the bell signaling the end of lunch. He slid into his seat before the final bell, ignoring Sodalitas's and Blainel's worried gazes. Later, he mouthed at them. The rest of the school day was torture. Concern for Sera, rage at her abusive father, and guilt at being unable to help her ate at Fidelis.
Finally, the day ended. In the parking lot, his guards and Liz surrounded him.
"Alright, spill it," growled Liz.
Fidelis ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "It's Sera."
"Well, duh, I already gathered that," snapped Liz. "What the hell happened to her? Where is she? That girl never misses school."
"Her family has kept her home. That's what I've gathered anyway," Fidelis told her.
Liz angrily pursed her lips. "Well, let's talk with her tomorrow and see what we can do for her."
Fidelis liked the suggestion. He didn't know if Sera would go for it, though. He would convince her because he couldn't stand her suffering at her family's hands. He sighed when he saw the time.
"We have to go. My dad is waiting for us," he told Liz. "I'll call you later. We can make a plan then."
"I'll hold you to that," she said before walking away.
He got in his car with Sodalitas and Blainel getting in the passenger seats. They rode in silence to his father's firm. He parked and hurried inside to find his father. His father spotted him and gestured to his office.
They went inside. Fidelis quickly explained his experience with syncing up with Sera to his father. His father frowned.
"So this time was more intense?" His father stroked his chin, his expression thoughtful.
"Yes. I was completely entangled with her emotions and senses. When she realized I was there, she threw me out of her mind. I'm not sure how she did that," Fidelis admitted.
"We have theorized that maybe she is not human. Maybe she is like Liz," replied his father.
"Maybe." Fidelis didn't say more because a sharp knock interrupted their conversation.
Before his father could acknowledge the visitor, the door opened. Amy strode in, her expression overly bright.
"Mr. Lancaster, here," she said, holding out an envelope.
His father took the envelope, opened it, and read the letter's contents. His eyes narrowed. He threw Amy a sharp glance and handed the letter to Fidelis. Fidelis read it.
"Is this some kind of joke?" snarled Fidelis.
Amy's smirk almost made him lose his composure.
"No joke, Romeo. My father wants my sister removed from the internship. He feels that she is trying to do too much. He doesn't want her to strain herself or her grades to suffer."
Fidelis wanted to throttle Amy. Her venomous glee was not lost on him nor his father. Bastard. Sera's father was an utter piece of shit.
"Bull shit," he snapped. He ignored Amy's feigned hurt at his words.
"It's the truth. My sister's health has always been questionable. We only want what's best for her," countered Amy. "Besides, you still have me. I can do Sera's work better than she can."
A snort of disbelief escaped Fidelis's lips. "You think you're better than Sera? Dream on," he growled, incensed at Amy's audacity.
Fidelis was seconds away from striking that smug look off Amy's face. This narcissistic, self-absorbed girl could never replace Sera. No matter how much Amy tried, it wouldn't happen. Sera was kind, compassionate, and lovable. All things Amy were not.
His father intervened with a raised hand. "Amy, please report to your work station. I will be contacting your father about this matter."
Amy flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Whatever you say, Mr. Lancaster," she replied as she flounced from the room.
Fidelis slammed his hand down on the desk, glaring at the door. "I can't stand her!"
"Calm down, my son. Go to work. I'll call Mr. Holland right now and get some answers as well as make some things clear."
"Yes, Father."
"And, Fidelis, hold your temper. No need to give Amy more ammo to use against Sera."
"Yes, sir," replied Fidelis. He bowed to his father and left the room.
Mikel watched his son leave and shook his head. Ben Holland was a strange man. Mikel still couldn't understand why the man treated his children in such a twisted way. He adored and obsessed over one to such an extreme that Amy had turned into a horrible person. On the other hand, he abused and neglected Sera with a ferocity that was baffling. Yet, Sera turned out so good-natured and sweet.
He sighed, sat at his desk, and called Ben.
Ben Holland picked up on the second ring.
"Holland."
"Hello, Ben. It's Mark Lancaster."
"Hello, Mark. How are you today?"
Mikel heard the falseness in Ben's tone. The human was good at manipulation. It wouldn't work on Mikel, however.
"I'm doing rather well today. I'm calling because I received a letter from you. I wanted to discuss it."
"There's nothing to discuss. I want Sera removed from the internship. She needs to focus on her studies."
Mikel remained calm. "If you remove Sera, Amy will be terminated from the program as well." He didn't say anything else as he waited for Ben's response.
"Are you threatening me?"
"No, Ben. Not a threat. Just the truth. When we discussed the internship, you stated that your daughters were a package deal. So if one leaves, the other one has to go as well."
The silence was deafening. Mikel didn't break it. He was a patient man. He would get his way and buy his son time to help Sera.
"You will terminate the internship for both my daughters if I pull just one?"
"That is correct. I do not play favorites." Mikel let his barbed words hit Ben.
"Fine. You will see Sera in two weeks, provided she can get her studies under control," growled Ben.
"Sounds good to me. I'll see her in two weeks," replied Mikel calmly. "Good day to you."
The click of the call ending was loud in the quiet of his office. Mikel shook his head. Humans were such strange creatures. Pushing the thought aside, he got to work on his latest case.