Page 51 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

Glass trinkets shattered. Books lying scattered where they’d fallen. His liquor cabinet in shambles. He hadn’t allowed a single person in here, not even Vittorio.

He stepped over everything, righting his chair and slumping into it. The screen of his laptop lit up as he opened it. He stared at it for several minutes, then typed in the passcode. His fingers hovered over the internet search engine. Finally, he typed Lily Winifred Shaw and hit enter.

Pages of results loaded. He scrolled to the bottom, then back up, clicking on the first link. A social media announcement with a photo. He froze then leaned forward, eyes narrowed. She was there in the photo, black hair loose about her shoulders, blue eyes sparkling, wearing a carefree smile. His stomach swooped. The contrast was a powerful blow—this radiant, accomplished woman versus the broken creature he’d pulled from that operating table. He’d never seen her smile quite like this, so open and unguarded. His fingers traced the screen unconsciously as his eyes lingered over her lips a moment longer.

There were six others, all of them holding a large banner between them that read, CONGRATULATIONS! Class of 2025 Salutatorians. The photo was dated four months prior.

He skimmed the article featuring BU’s highest achieving students until he found her name. He read through the block of text:

Lily Shaw transferred to Braxton University in the fall of 2020 to pursue a major in applied mathematics. She was involved in several programs and extra curricular activities that set her apart. Not only was she an active member of the Braxton University Symphony Club, she was also an athlete on Braxton’s collegiate swim team, helping the university place third nationally with first place wins in the 100m butterfly and IM team relay.

She volunteers for programs like Mathletes for Kids, which helps underprivileged children in Braxton’s intercity public schools participate in mathematics competitions, along with Mathematics for Bright Minds, a foundation that offers children opportunities to learn how mathematics degrees can influence their careers. “I didn’t have many opportunities growing up, and I love that I can give back to children in need,” Lily told us during our interview. As a product of the foster care system, Lily recognizes the need to encourage young minds to strive outside the boundaries of their situations.

She also holds a part time job at the university concessions store, offering students a bright, familiar face when they need those sugary snacks to keep them awake during finals. “I’d do just about anything for a proper cinnamon roll,” she admitted to us, throwing her head back laughing. “I might’ve had four during my last cram session.”

Lily has been accepted into BU’s mathematics Ph.D program this fall, an extremely competitive track. She will be studying under Professor Ashley Bentley, her advisor and committee chair. “I’m so honored to count Professor Bentley as one of my closest advisors and role models. She has always encouraged me to strive beyond the possible. She was largely the reason I decided to pursue a Ph.D in mathematics.” Please help us in congratulating Lily on her outstanding achievement as one of BU’s seven salutatorians. We are proud to count her among Braxton University’s upcoming alumni. We expect great things in her future.

Laurent exhaled, leaning back in his chair. He scrubbed his hands across his face. Marco had looked into her, but only reported to him the bare minimum, confirming that she was indeed a student at the university and that she indeed lived in Braxton for several years after moving from Tioa City. There’d been other bits like her age, home address in West Park—one of the more expensive parts of the city—and the name of her roommate.

He rubbed the back of his neck before leaning forward again, digging deeper. On the second page, he found a number of news articles from local sources, all covering variations of the same story. Tioa City Uncovers Massive Scandal Within the Foster Care System one headline read.

He skimmed link after link, finding Lily’s name in all of them. A string of curses slipped from his lips. These articles told him more than he cared to know. He slammed his laptop closed and began to pace—except, there wasn’t room to walk. He needed air. Needed—something.

His feet were already moving. He found himself outside Lily’s door minutes later. It was cracked. He peered in and noticed her on the bed, chest gently rising and falling. Zola appeared in the doorway, emerging into the hallway before shutting the door behind her. “She’s resting⁠—“

“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me about her past?! The foster scandal?! The way they treated her⁠—?”

“I assumed you already knew.” She kept her back to him with her forehead pressed to the door.

“Zola,” he warned, nearly growling. “Do not play games with me.”

She whirled to face him. “It wouldn’t have made a difference.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.”

“I put her in a fucking cell,” he cried, then lowered his voice. “You didn’t think to tell me about those children locked in tiny dark rooms⁠—“

“Why should it matter?” Zola lifted her chin. “She’s nothing more than a tool. A possession. A blood bag. You said so yourself.”

Spots exploded in his vision. He reached for her throat and threw her against the opposite wall, keeping her pressed against it. She didn’t struggle, just stared at him, her deep eyes filled with disappointment.

Zola cared for Lily. So did Vittorio. Even Hassan.

He rocked his jaw from side to side, working to control his temper. At last, he loosened his hold and removed his hand. His aggression didn’t bother Zola in the slightest. “This girl’s different, Laurent, and you know it.”

“Why?” There was no point in arguing.

“I don’t know.” She crossed her arms. “It’s why I dug around in her past. She was abandoned to the foster system at birth. I wanted to know about her parents.”

His eyes narrowed. “Why would that matter?”

“Amplifiers are human, or at least, they’re supposed to be.”

He froze. “You don’t think⁠—?”

“I don’t know!” she breathed, dropping her arms, moving into the middle of the hallway. “There’s something abnormal about her. I don’t think it’s her upbringing.”