Page 1 of Fractured Onyx

Chapter 1

Nate

I hate waiting.

It's not in my nature to be the one standing outside while the conversation takes place behind closed doors. I'm the one leading the conversation. I'm the one who makes people wait outside.I'mthe one in control.

Except when I'm not. Things have always been different with Lailah. It's not the first time she's tried to put me in a place where I don't belong, and I fucking hope she's aware that it only works because I let her.

I left the room and let her be alone with Malia, because I felt it was the right thing to do. Even on her deathbed, Lailah is committed to the mission in a way that I could never expect from Malia. But if there's even the slightest chance that she could pass a hint of this commitment on to Malia, if there's a chance she could say anything that would strengthen Malia's will to work with me on this, then I'll have to make room for a conversation between the two of them that excludes me, if only for a few minutes.

I know I had to give room to this chance. But the longer I'm left standing outside the door of Lailah's room waiting, the more anxious I become.

What if she tells her? I trust Lailah, especially since she's kept her mouth shut ever since I shared my secret with her.

But who says she's going to stay silent now? Wouldn't it make sense for her to tell Malia?

Would it change anything? And if it did, would it be for the better or worse?

How much longer will I have to wait until I find out?

I'm pacing up and down before the door like a wildcat in its cage, clenching my fists impatiently as I try to calm the tense fury that threatens to erupt.

I decide that I've had enough, my steps coming to a halt mid-pace as I face the closed door. As I am about to reach for the handle to put an end to their little tête-à-tête, the handle turns from the other side and the door opens.

Malia's black gaze meets mine, a shadow cast over her expression. Her eyes narrow slightly as she walks past me.

"She wants to talk to you."

Her voice is thin, neither angry or sad, just... weak. Troubled.

"Are you okay?" I want to know. "What did she tell you?"

She presses her lips together, offering a subtle shake of her head before she replies.

"She's exhausted," she says, averting her eyes from mine. "She wants you to hurry."

I study her for a moment, watching, waiting for a follow-up that doesn't happen. She stands before me, her arms hanging limply at the side of her body and her head low, refusing to speak to me or even look at me.

"Daveed!"

She flinches at my sudden shout, throwing me a reproachful look as I hear Daveed's footsteps approaching quickly behind my back. He had been waiting at the end of the hallway around the corner, remaining out of sight but close enough to keep an eye on Malia if I needed him to.

"Watch her for a moment while I talk to Lailah," I say as he comes to a halt next to me.

"Sure, boss," he growls, as he reaches for Malia's arm, evoking an agonized mewl when his hand closes roughly around it.

"Careful," I warn him. "No need to hurt her."

He rolls his eyes at me, but I can see his grip loosen immediately where it's gripped around her upper arm, and Malia's shoulders lower with relief.

"I won't be long," I promise, unsure who I'm addressing.

I can feel her eyes on me, imprinting on my back as I enter the room. I shut the door with a violent push, which is met with a reproachful look from Lailah.

Little droplets of sweat coat her temples and she looks even smaller and more pale than she did just a few minutes ago. She studies me skeptically from the side when I reach for a little cloth on the night stand next to her bed.

"What did you tell her?" I ask, avoiding her eyes as I begin to gently dab her face. I can tell that she wants to fight me on it at first, but she lets it happen and allows her expression to soften as I go about the motions.

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