The voice was calm, but it sounded like thunder in Hannah's ear, and it shook her gray world.
She raised her head to look at Lucas' back, unable to look at Estrella who had turned to look at her, maybe even unable to meet her gaze.
Lucas kept his back to Hannah, but his low voice came again, clear, in the silent remnant of the chamber that was now facing a dark gulf:
"I regret sparing him, but I will not go back on my words. However, take him as far away from me as you can. Not only do I not want to see him, I loathe even feeling him in my perception."
Hannah's expression changed, and she open her mouth, but Lucas preempted whatever she wanted to say:
"Don't plead for him. I don't blame you for what happened, but don't make me look at you differently."
Silence descended in the underground chamber, a silence Hannah found depressive. She lowered her head, feeling so tired in her heart, tired, and disappointed.
