Chapter 5

Cora was moved by Levi's obvious concern for his Lorr kindred, but his words stirred something more than just compassion in her. Another feeling bubbled there—a feeling that was always hovering just beneath the surface that came up every time she heard the word Umbrosis.

Guilt.

"Hey, are you okay?" Levi asked, leaning closer and trying to meet her gaze, which had dropped to the floor between them. The smile she had worn just moments before had faded, too.

She managed to raise her eyes to meet his and saw that he was genuinely concerned for her.

"If you're worried about the escape plan, I get it. But I promise I won't let anything happen to you," he told her. Cora could see that he meant the words.

For all the understanding that had passed between them, though, his guess this time was wide off the mark. Of course, it was—how could he know the guilt she'd harbored for so many years? How could he see into her mind and glimpse the constant wheels in motion, looking for an answer, a way forward, a path to redemption?

"Thank you," she said, managing to give him a small smile. "It's not that, though."

She took a deep breath. "It's the Motley. My best friend, Samantha, was a user. It started as an occasional thing, I guess. We were in college together, and she really liked to party."

Cora shook her head slightly, dropping her gaze again. "At first it seemed like she was just having fun. But then the occasional hit turned into every weekend, which turned into every day. Somehow, she still managed to show up to class, still managed to take her exams. But everything was slipping."

She frowned. "I found out later that she'd started fighting with her boyfriend, and she was just barely getting through her classes. Even her relationship with her parents was really bad, and they'd always been so close."

Cora swallowed hard, remembering that time or rather, remembering not remembering that time.

"I didn't realize it then, though," she continued. "I was so caught up in my own world—in my studies mostly—that I didn't understand she was in trouble until it was too late."

Cora felt her eyes begin to prick with tears, and she tried her best to hold them back. It had been years since all this happened, and most of the time, she could talk about Samantha without crying. But most of the time she wasn't in a jail cell with someone working to take down the corporation behind Motley.

"She was a full-blown addict by the time I realized what was going on. And it wasn't just that. She was miserable, of course. She killed herself our senior year. And I know that if I'd just paid more attention, that wouldn't have happened."

She swallowed back her tears, determined not to come across as weak and emotional. Weak was the last thing she wanted to be. She'd spent the last few years transforming her sadness and guilt into determination. That was the part of herself she wanted Levi to see.

"I also know," she continued, keeping her voice steady. "That if Umbrosis hadn't peddled their Motley so aggressively, Samantha would still be here. Umbrosis needs to be stopped, and I need to stop them. That's why I've spent the better part of the last four years digging deeply into the Jorvlens—how they've used it for smuggling, the interplay between above-board divisions and ones that operate in the shadows most responsible for the unmitigated spread of Motley. That sort of stuff."

Levi had been watching her this whole time, his eyes widening as she spoke. He obviously hadn't expected such a story. As Cora waited for his response, she could see no judgment in his eyes. If anything, she thought she detected a hint of respect.

"Wow," he finally muttered. "You're the whole package, huh?"

Cora was a little taken aback by this comment, and it seemed like Levi didn't expect to say it, either. He did his best to backpedal, but Cora couldn't help but feel something spark inside her again.

"I just mean, I'm impressed that you've looked so deeply into this," he said, his cheeks turning slightly blue as he spoke. "You obviously know what you're talking about, and you're passionate about it, too…"

He paused for a second, looking away as if considering something. When he looked back at her, he seemed serious.

"I know we don't really know each other, but by the sounds of it, we have the same objective. I have the skills and the connections. You have the intel and the background knowledge. And we both have very good reasons for taking these guys down. What do you say we work together?"

Cora smiled. It seemed he'd read her mind.

"I'd say that sounds great," she replied, holding Levi's gaze.

A silent beat passed between them, and Cora saw that Levi seemed to be just as pleased. She got the feeling it wasn't just the mission he was excited about but rather the same attraction that coursed through her. She wondered how long it would be until she knew for certain, though.

"I'm glad to have your help," Levi suddenly said. "A lot is riding on this."

Cora gave him a look that was meant to encourage him to expound. It was clear a weight was on his shoulders when he said those words.

"My kind are relying on me to recover the stone. Literally, my entire planet hangs in the balance. If I fail… Well, I can't fail. Taking the Jorvlens down—and that includes Umbrosis—is part of that, of course, but my focus is on the stone. I hope you understand."

Cora nodded slowly. As far as she was concerned, their missions fed into each other.

"Recovering the stone will put a dent in the Jorvlens' power, and stopping their production of Motley will put a dent in their resources," Cora observed. "I think we're on the same page. But the stone is the first priority. I don't want the Jorvlens to have a weapon of mass destruction any more than you."

What she didn't tell him was that she felt their meeting was no mere coincidence. Fate had brought them together under the most unlikely of circumstances, and she wouldn't pass up a gift like that. The two of them were obviously meant to help each other. And the fact that sparks were clearly flying between them was an added bonus.

Levi smiled, obviously happy to have her on board. Cora smiled back. As absurd as it felt, she was happy to be there, held captive in a Jorvlen holding cell.