Praetorian Rising, стр. 67
"I made a promise, Camille," Vesyon said quickly, ripping the reigns of her anger out from underneath her, his tone soft and incredibly intimate. "I made a vow to keep you protected at all cost. You must believe me when I tell you that everything I have done has been to ensure your safety."
An alarm suddenly screamed through headquarters, and everyone in the room stood to attention. "That's the evacuation; we need to go," Theo said from the back of the room, his voice terse and hollow.
Vesyon extended a hand toward Camille but seemed to think twice of his actions and pulled it back to his side. He huffed once, looking almost uncertain and yet at the same time decided. "Understand me, Camille, everything I do, I do out of concern for those I care about. I didn't haphazardly pull you from Sierra Village. I decided it was the best option."
"That's my point exactly: you decided. I didn't have a choice!" Camille screamed with every ounce of energy she had pounding through her system.
He stared at her, his twin orbs a reflecting pool of icy grey. He didn't appear sorry nor did he seem regretful, only disappointed she didn't understand the depth of his devotion to her. "We don't get to choose the paths we're given, Camille. We can only decide on the direction our new path will take us."
It was then she saw it, the buried pain behind the protective wall he'd been hiding behind since she first met him. His expression didn't denote friendship or the compassion of a mentor; he looked at her with longing and undying devotion. The desperation spilling from every surface of his body begged for her to see the truth of it, to accept his actions as loving and not deceptive. It was apparent now that he didn't just want her to be safe; he wanted her to be with him.
"Vesyon, I—" Camille started but couldn't seem to finish the thought. Her body seized with a sense of urgency to tell him that as much as she was hurt and vexed by his deception, she also understood it. He was right. She may not have chosen to be standing where she was, but in the face of an oncoming attack she had a choice: fight or flee. She'd never abandon those in need, never leave someone to die to save herself. If she had a choice in the matter, she'd sacrifice everything to ensure the safety of even one Asperian soul.
"We need to move, the fleet is closing in," Phillip said from the doorway. "Captain, take the Rogues and head up top. We need to get our men in place before the ground attack passes the outer wall."
Without pause, Camille's focus flew to Vesyon's face, fierce determination spreading across her features. "What can I do?"
Vesyon smiled, appearing proud of her.
"When this is over, I expect answers. I won't let this one lie, you understand?" Camille said with predetermination.
His smile grew, spreading across his features like the glowing mark of sunlight at dawn. The intoxicating radiance in the depths of his expression blossomed as his bare hand touched the side of her face, tender and warm. "You don't even realize it, but you look so much like her."
Theo coughed from the corner of the room, jolting both Camille and Vesyon out of the trance they'd fallen into. Vesyon jerked his hand back to his side as though her face were an open flame. He cleared his throat and took several steps away from her before turning his attention to Theo, the screen guarding his emotions dropped securely back in place.
"Take Camille and head down to the vault through the sanctuary. Acher will believe the product is located there. You'll need to detain him. There can be no chance of him getting back to the High King with his findings. Be quick in getting out, you won't have much time."
"How long?" Theo asked, clearly understanding more about what was to come than Camille.
"The plan will commence in two hours. It's all we can spare of our troops and weapons. Listen for the warning horn—once you hear its call, you'll have fifteen minutes to get out of the Romeo Village grounds."
Theo nodded once in understanding, his face a stone wall, eyes darkened with a flush of inky black.
Vesyon didn't look Camille in the eye as he headed toward the door. "Charlie? You coming?"
Charlie peered over at Vesyon, her face piqued with alarm, having not moved an inch from her silent perch. "Y-yes, just one sec..." She looked shaken and distraught turning toward Theo, chin trembling, and Camille turned away as Charlie wrapped her blood-soaked arms around Theo in a tight embrace. "Stay safe Theo, please."
Theo didn't verbally respond, but Camille heard the rustle of clothing as Theo's arms wrapped around Charlie's small form and hugged her back. A soft sound of lips brushing against skin pricked the inner lining of Camille's tender eardrums, and then Charlie strode from the small quarters, her head held high, a poster of authority and calm control.
Grabbing Camille's hand in a vice grip, Theo pulled her out of the room past Vesyon toward the main hall outside of headquarters. "Take Neeko with you," Vesyon instructed from behind their retreating forms. Theo nodded once, keeping his eyes forward as they moved, Neeko trailing behind sleek as a shadow.
"Theo," Vesyon called out just before they turned the corner. Theo stopped and turned, his shoulders tight, his brow creased in apparent tension. "Once you get through the vault exit, I'll meet you at the foothills east of the