Unknown L (Book 1)

~ Unexpected ~

L felt knowledge pushing at the forefront of her mind. She forced it back before it started a headache. 

"Alright, but why can't you stay and answer my questions now?"

"Because it'll take too long, and you don't need the distraction. Believe me, I know what it's like, and you have enough to deal with. Just be a bit more patient, focus on training, and keep yourself safe. We can't be sure Frallica's forces won't find this base too; which is another reason I need to find this other traitor before they go running to her Demons for help like Kreleth did."

He paused for a moment and looked to be ordering his thoughts.

"Oh, and I think you should tell the Council what happened in the cavern where you found me. You don't have to tell them where it is or anything like that. I just think it'll make your training go faster and easier if they know. Then they can lay off a little, maybe start training in a few days instead."

L was surprised to hear him say that, especially after what had happened with Maeve. She almost wondered if maybe training wasn't the only thing Bryce cared about. Theories and scenarios were forming in her mind that she didn't want to think about.

She pushed them deep into the back of her brain and changed the subject slightly.

"Why is Walter the one helping you anyway?"

Bryce didn't seem to be expecting this question. He fidgeted with his hands on the footrest of the bed.

"We still have a deal in the works, and he wants to see it through to the end. Plus, nobody would suspect him and I of working together. So, he can find out things that I wouldn't be able to... being on the Council helps, too."

There was some sense in what he was saying. Walter had already shown how much he could help and was still doing so by checking in on L. She looked up at Bryce and noticed him watching her. It struck something in her, and she couldn't resist trying to find out.

"Okay, well... I need to ask you something, one last thing before you disappear for who knows how long."

Bryce blinked in surprise. He adjusted his beanie and cloak like he was hesitant to agree.

He eventually nodded his head, waiting for her to ask her question. L plucked up the courage and kept her eyes locked with his while she asked. 

"Why... did you kiss my cheek before you left the hospital?"

Bryce's expression was unreadable in that moment, and L felt like throwing something at him. He leaned against the post at the bottom of the bed, his eyes still locked with hers.

"I wanted you to know how sorry I was for what I put you through. I didn't think about it really and just did it... shouldn't I have?"

L didn't know what to think. Had she been hoping for another answer? Maybe, but this one felt right, and her mind felt less confused the moment he said it. The feelings circulating inside of her felt stupid now, and she wanted to feel relieved that she could dismiss them.

"I don't know, I've never been kissed by anyone before... it makes sense, I guess. I've heard of people kissing others by way of an apology. It doesn't matter, really, I was just curious since you brought it up."

L tried to push her inexplicable disappointment away. She didn't want to like Bryce in that way, and she certainly didn't want him to like her. It had already made things complicated just thinking it. She couldn't imagine what it would be like if both things were true.

She hoped he couldn't see that disappointment on her face and when she looked at him. She did see something in his eyes before he turned and walked away. She couldn't pinpoint what it was, but it was gone when he turned to look at her from the window sill. He was grinning instead, and she could have sworn it was more forced than usual.