He opened the journal, showed Rhys pages filled with neat handwriting and sketches.
SECOND LIFE: Sarah Whitmore (1756-1775)
"You were a tavern owner's daughter in Colonial America," Ignatius explained. "You fell in love with a soldier named Thomas. Valerian—manifesting as a shadowy presence—grew increasingly violent as the wedding approached. The night before, Thomas was found hanged in your barn. You saw Valerian's ghost clearly for the first time, and the horror drove you mad. You drowned yourself in the river."
Rhys stared at the sketch of a young woman with desperate eyes.
THIRD LIFE: Lord Edmund Gray (1823-1844)
"This time you were male.
A wealthy aristocrat in Victorian England. You fell in love with Lady Catherine. Valerian manifested stronger in this life—you could see him, hear him, feel his cold presence. He warned you not to marry her. You ignored him. Catherine was poisoned in her bed on your wedding morning. You were hanged for her murder—circumstantial evidence, but damning. Valerian watched your execution with satisfaction."
FOURTH LIFE: Maria Delgado (1889-1909)
"Female again. American frontier,
rancher's daughter. You had visions of past lives, knew something was wrong, but couldn't explain it. Your fiancé James was shot through the heart the night before you were to leave for California together. You found Valerian standing over his body. You took the same gun and shot yourself."
FIFTH LIFE: David Chen (1934-1956)
"Male.
Jazz musician in New York. You fell in love with another musician—Michael. A same-sex relationship during a time when that was extremely dangerous. Valerian was jealous beyond reason. The night before you and Michael planned to escape to Paris, Michael was beaten to death in an alley. The message 'MINE' was carved into the wall beside his body. You lost your mind, were institutionalized, and died there."
SIXTH LIFE: Isabella Romano (1978-1999)
"Female. College student. Lesbian
relationship with Jennifer Park. You'd been together two years, planned a commitment ceremony. Jennifer was found dead in your shared apartment's bathtub—staged as suicide, but the evidence suggested murder. You saw Valerian clearly by then. His power had grown with each lifetime. You overdosed on pills that same night."
Ignatius closed the journal.
"And now you're Rhys.
The seventh.
The pattern is clear: Every life, you try to love someone else. Every life, Valerian destroys them. Every life ends in violence and death. Yours or theirs or both."
Rhys felt tears burning his eyes. "Why?
Why is he doing this?"
"Because in his mind, you betrayed him.
And he's spent three hundred years punishing you for it—while simultaneously believing he's protecting his love."
Ignatius's voice was heavy with pity. "He's insane, Rhys. Trapped in an eternal moment of betrayal and rage. He genuinely believes he's acting out of love."
"That's not love."
"No. It's trauma, twisted into obsession, fed by supernatural power." Ignatius placed a hand on Rhys's shoulder. "But here's what you need to understand: You are the only one who can end this. Not me. Not any exorcist or priest. Only you."
"Why me?"