Chapter 164
We’re not friends
Chapter 164 – We’re not friends
Seraphine’s expression faltered, the color in her face fading as her thoughts tangled all at once. She needed Voren on her side, not just his skills or connections, but his full trust.
The problem was, the truth sitting in her chest wasn’t simple, and it wasn’t something she could just hand over without consequences, especially when it involved the man he considered his closest friend.
“We need to keep things clear between us, Voren,” she said, her tone controlled but distant. “We’re not friends. I respect what you’re doing for me, and I appreciate the help, but that’s where it ends.”
She turned, ready to walk away before the conversation went any deeper, but Voren wasn’t convinced. He could see it in the way she avoided certain details, the way her words felt incomplete.
“Sera,” he called after her, his voice firm enough to stop her. “If I’m putting myself in a position where I might have to protect you with my life, then the least you can do is be honest with me.”
The sharp cracks of gunfire echoed louder around them, almost overwhelming now, especially with Corvine fully immersed in his training like he had found something he had been missing for a long time. The noise pressed against her senses, making it harder to think, harder to hold herself together.
When Voren noticed her scanning the space, clearly unsettled, he spoke again, his tone softer this time. “If you need somewhere quieter, we can talk in my car.”
Seraphine drew in a slow breath, then nodded slightly before turning toward Corvine. “I’ll wait for you in the parking area,” she told him. “Don’t take too long.”
Corvine glanced at her, a grin spreading across his face, and something about it made her laugh, if only for a moment, before she turned away.
By the time she and Voren reached the car and stepped inside, the atmosphere changed completely.
The noise disappeared, replaced by a quiet that felt almost too heavy. It was the first time they had been alone like this, without anyone else around, and the silence between them carried something unfamiliar, something neither of them could put a finger on.
Seraphine spoke first, clearly to ease off the tension building in her chest. “Ravyn is your best friend,” she said, her voice steady but serious. “What I’m about to say stays here. You don’t repeat it to him.”
Voren didn’t hesitate, though Ravyn indeed knew more about him than anyone else. For once, he had to begin keeping certain things to himself but who knew it was going to be the secret of Ravyn’s ex-wife? He nodded once, his expression firm. “You have my word.”
Seraphine took another breath, steadying herself before finally saying it.
“Corvine didn’t kill my child,” she said. “When Ravyn gave the order, he didn’t go through with it.”
Voren went still. Surprise hit first, followed quickly by something closer to relief, though there was still a layer of disbelief he couldn’t completely hide. “That’s… that’s good news,” he said, his voice quieter now.
“It is,” Seraphine agreed, but her expression didn’t soften. “But it comes with a problem.” She looked around the car park through the window of the car to make sure no one was close enough to hear what she was saying.
“What kind of problem?” Voren asked, his tone lowering as he focused on her, and somehow drawing her attention back to the conversation.
“He doesn’t remember who he gave her to,” she said, and that was enough to change everything.
Voren leaned back slightly, processing it, connecting the missing pieces that hadn’t made sense before. “So you think there’s a chance she could be among Santiago’s captives?”
Seraphine’s gaze dropped for a moment before she answered. “I don’t have many options left,” she admitted, and for the first time, there was something vulnerable in her eyes, something raw that she usually kept hidden. “It’s a risk, but it’s one I have to take.”
Voren watched her carefully, the swing in her demeanor not lost on him. This wasn’t just strategy or revenge anymore. This was personal.
“I’ll help you however I can,” he said, his voice steady, but there was a caution in it too. “But you need to be ready for every possible outcome.”
She nodded slowly. “I already am. She could be gone… she could be there… or she could be somewhere safe. I just don’t know which one is true yet.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Voren asked something that made the air between them tighten again.
“If you find her… Ravyn has a right to know, doesn’t he?”
The reaction was immediate. Seraphine’s gaze darkened, the softness from earlier disappearing completely, replaced by something far colder.
Voren caught it right away and lifted a hand slightly, adjusting his words. “Or maybe not,” he added quickly. “He already has Bryan.”
“And if you tell him anything…” Seraphine’s voice dropped, carrying a quiet warning that didn’t need to be spelled out.
“I get it,” Voren cut in, exhaling lightly. “You could take me down without much effort.”
That earned him a faint smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. She couldn’t stay this close to him any longer. “I’ll be in my car,” she said, reaching for the door.
The moment she stepped out, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen before answering.
“Leon?”
“Sera, we’ve got an emergency. Can you get here right now?” Leon asked hastily, Seraphine replied without hesitation. “I’m on my way.”
She turned back toward Voren briefly. “Let Corvine know I’m taking the car. There’s an emergency at the hospital.”
She moved toward the driver’s side, already focused on what was ahead, but before she could get in, Voren spoke.
“Let me drive you.”
The offer came out before he had time to reconsider it, and for a second, even he seemed surprised that he just offered to be her driver.