29. Foundation

Connor's POV

"I'm the mole..." Oh my god. I mean, I know that he's been a bit distant, but I never imagined something like this. In hindsight, he had been super reluctant to let me get involved. I remember thinking that it was strange he didn't want everything equal, but I had passed it off as him being human. As much as I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, I know that it played a part in this. He had always felt a bit out of place with people who were almost always more powerful than him. I didn't think that it would bring this much of an effect, though.

"You did what!? Varian, why? How long has this been going on?" I was unable to keep myself from sounding livid. I mean, I was. How dare he go behind my back? After all of the trust I've put into him, I feel like I've been cheated. Maybe losing your soulmate runs in the family...

"Have a seat, and I'll explain to you what happened..." I put my ass in the chair, and it felt like getting stabbed with 50 sharp knives. Not to mention the one hanging out of my bleeding back. I know that there's an explanation for this; there has to be. He wouldn't just do something this serious without a good reason, right?

"How could you possibly justify all of the damage you've done. You're the one that told the humans where the mansion was, aren't you?"

"You've caught me. You really are more intelligent than I thought you were. Now, we're going to talk about why. You wanted to know why I did it? I'll give you the short answer. I did it because I wanted to, and nothing more. I was mad because you hurt me; I liked seeing you get some back. I feel into the cycle of doing it again and again until it was just commonplace. I spilled all of your plans; I've told them the schedule this place follows. There's no way for you to win this, so just give up. They know everything from your weapon plans to the style of your hair."

"I thought that you were my soulmate. I thought that you loved me and that we were going to spend the rest of our lives together. What changed? What made you break my heart like this?"

"That's where you're wrong. I never gave anything about your heart. I wanted to keep myself safe, and I wanted Orion to have a good life. You were the only way to get my foot into the door. I was the perfect mole; no one expected me to be on the inside for the humans. You were head over heels for me, and he was too scared to upset you." My rage doubled when he pointed at Benji.

"Leave him out of it!" I shouted, and my voice was heavy with anger at his actions. He's been acting like a child for so many years, and I was done with it. The feeling of being played with is never a good one, and I'm going to play right back. I don't want it to become a cycle of hurting each other, but he needs a taste of his own medicine.

"Well, aren't you a bit temperamental? You and I both know that he just isn't good enough. I know that you think it deep down in your chest; you've told me. We talk about it all the time."

"That was a different time."

"Did you seriously say that about me?" Benji interrupted, but I didn't miss the small smirk on Varian's face. He knew what chaos he just potentially caused in my life; he knows that I can't lie to my friend. Not without feeling overwhelming guilt and admitting it within a few days, that is.

"Benji, it was a one-time thing. I think that I was frustrated because you had been in the council longer than me. You were getting better treatment, and I talked about you behind your back. I know that what I did wasn't right, but I did say that you didn't deserve the position you've come to have. I don't really think that way, and I would never do it again. I know that you're more than deserving of how far you've come."

"Are you sure that it isn't going to happen again? You know how worried I always am about seeing weak to people."

"Yes, I'm sure. I'm sorry for being a jealous bitch and planting a seed of distrust between us."

"Connor, it's alright. I'm not going to kill you for making a choice while you weren't at your best. I'm not that kind of person."

"Thank you, Benji." The kindness of his heart is so refreshing. If this was anyone else, they would be shouting at me by now. I could see the frown on Varian's face at his foiled plan, and I put my direction right back on him.

"That isn't the most important thing right now. Stop trying to take the spotlight off of yourself, Varian. We were talking."

"I'm done now. I'm not going to waste my words on the likes of you." The tear down the center of my heart wasn't getting any better, but I wasn't going to show it. I could fall apart on my father or Benji later. Now is a time for action.

"Listen to me. You either apologize, or I'm going to leave you alone down here with Benji. Trust me, he can be an animal after everything you've done."

"I'm going to be trying to get the human's information off of you. What is your opinion on waterboarding?" The slight spark of violence in my friend's eyes isn't something I'm used to. I've never seen him this angry, barring King Dray those years ago. He can be very dangerous in this mood, and I was slightly scared. I know that it isn't directed at me. However, when a warlock gets angry, their irises begin to swirl. It's mesmerizing, and I think it may be leftover from ancient days where they had to catch prey to survive. I know that I could get drawn in without trouble, and then I would be defenseless.

Varian struggled against the restraints that held him, and I was expecting him to start shouting sorry like he did when I would tickle him. Instead, his lips stayed sealed, and I was losing hope. "It's now or never, Varian." When he still didn't reply, Benji flicked me away with a wrist. He would be dealing with this.

However, before we could move to do anything, there was a loud bang. Foundation rained down into our hair, and the look on Varian's face confirmed my fears. Benji was already sprinting up the stairs, and I wasn't very far behind. The second battle has begun for us. It's time to kick some human butt.