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You’re really here with me, aren’t you?
I really am, she replied. Lily could feel wonder and elation skate across Toshi’s mind, but he quickly turned his focus back to his patient.
His hands leaked magic as his willstone flared with ruby light. Lily stayed present in his mind, a silent observer, while Toshi dealt with Red Leaf. Toshi scrolled through Red Leaf’s many injuries. Lily deemed it hopeless, but Toshi managed to pull Red Leaf out of the danger zone in a few precious minutes.
Toshi was the best healer Lily had ever seen, maybe even better than Rowan, although Lily decided to reserve judgment on that as she was usually unconscious when Rowan was doing his best work.
“He’s stable,” Toshi said, slumping back in exhaustion. When he looked up, Lily could see Grace sitting on Toshi’s couch with a rapt expression.
“It’s such a joy to watch you work,” she said. Her eyes flicked over Toshi appreciatively. “The heroic healer, fighting to save lives.”
Lily felt Toshi’s frustration. “He’s stable, but he’ll need more care,” he said.
Grace flicked her head to the side and two Warrior Sisters strode forward to take Red Leaf.
“Gently,” Toshi scolded, but the Sisters paid him no heed. If they understood him, they weren’t about to take orders from him. “Tell them to be careful with him,” Toshi said to Grace.
“Oh, I wouldn’t let my prize die on me now. Not after going through so much trouble to acquire him.” Grace stood and rubbed her hands together briskly. “I expect you’re tired. I’ll leave you to rest.”
“Where are you taking him?” Toshi asked as Grace and the Warrior Sisters left his rooms. She didn’t reply.
It’s okay. Breakfast can contact Red Leaf in mindspeak once he’s conscious, Lily told him. I’ll let you know where she takes him if you want.
With Grace gone, Lily felt elation bubbling up in Toshi again.
Did that really happen? Did you claim me?
Yes. It was definitely one of the strangest claimings I’ve ever done, but you’re mine.
Lily smiled to herself where she stood, thousands of miles away from him on a mountaintop. The difference between Toshi and the vast majority of soldiers she’d claimed recently was like the difference between sending someone a written note with a pencil that kept breaking and speaking to someone while you looked each other in the eye. As a mechanic, Toshi was capable of full mindspeak, and he was gifted enough that she could feel his presence in her mind as much as he felt hers. She should have been prepared for the intimacy of it, but it had been a long time since she’d claimed anyone with Toshi’s level of talent. He felt it, too. Conflicting emotions spun through him, and Lily realized that he was shy.
Can you see everything in me? My memories? My desires?
I could, Lily responded, feeling a little shy as well. But I try not to pry into the private thoughts of my mechanics. I’ve had a lot of practice getting out of someone’s head before they think anything intimate.
She felt a creeping fear edge in on his happiness.
There must be a reason you decided to claim me now, he guessed. What is it?
There was no point in delaying. We want you to kill Grace, she said.
Lily saw Workers land on Toshi’s arms at the very thought of murder. I can’t, he replied.
I can fuel you. I can make you as strong as a god, and as soon as it’s done I could make you disappear. I’d bring you here to me, instantly. The Hive wouldn’t be able to catch you.
More Workers flew in and landed on him. One took position over his jugular. Lily, I can’t. Don’t you think I’ve considered it? Since you left, I’ve made contact with thousands of rebels in Bower City. We all want Grace dead, but we can’t do it. The Hive smells aggression before we can commit any act of violence.
Lily could feel their prickly feet scaling up and down his skin, and she shuddered for him.
Please stop thinking of it. Please calm down, she urged.
Toshi unclenched his fists and took a series of deep, calming breaths, trying to rein in the frustration that choked him.
I’ve thought about nonviolent ways of killing her, like poison, but the Hive tastes her food. I thought about designing a virus specifically for her, but I can’t get close enough to take a sample of her DNA. Did you know that the Hive doesn’t allow even one of her hairs to fall to the ground? Silly as it sounds, I’ve even considered leaving booby traps throughout the villa, but the Hive scours every room she’s about to enter before she goes in there. Everything you can think of, I’ve thought of it. The Hive is everywhere and they watch for danger in everything where she’s concerned.
I’m sorry, Toshi, I should have known. Lily waited until she felt Toshi relax enough for the Workers to lift off his skin. I could still jump you out of there, she said. You’re mine now. You don’t have to stay in Bower City.
She could feel how tempted he was. He wanted to join her so badly it hurt.
