Page 114 of Legacy of Chaos

Heat seared Cyan’s face. Of course, she was flushed and tired. Her body was a wrung-out noodle. And Runa knew exactly why. “I, ah…”

Runa patted the seat next to her. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I’m just happy you’re helping my son through this.”

Smiling, Cyan took a seat. “I’ll bet you were a great mom.” Runa struck her as patient but firm, loving but not a pushover. A mama bear who didn’t let anyone screw with her kids. Or, more accurately, a mother werewolf, which was far more terrifying than a bear.

Runa laughed. “Those boys tested me every single day.”

“I can imagine.” Cyan shifted on the cushion, appreciating the comfortable touches in the waiting room built specifically for hospital staff and their families. “So, what was Stryke like when he was little?”

Glancing in the direction of Stryke’s room, Runa smiled fondly. “He was happy. Always inquisitive. When his brothers wanted to watch cartoons, he wanted to watch documentaries. When they wanted ice cream, he only wanted to know how the ice cream was made.”

Cyan had been much the same. Except shedidwant the ice cream. “When did you realize he was gifted?”

“Pretty early.” Someone in scrubs walked by and waved, and she returned it before turning back to Cyan. “We knew something was different about him when he was reading fifth-grade-level stories to his brothers at the age of three. At four, he not only knew the name of every dinosaur that ever existed but could spell their names as well.” Shaking her head, she let out a little laugh. “He was always either wanting to learn new things or telling you about the things he’d learned. He was so damned smart.”

“And stubborn, I’d imagine,” Cyan muttered.

“Ha! You have no idea,” Runa said. “We didn’t know how to handle him half the time. Not even Eidolon could help.” She waved to someone else. “I remember we once had to leave a state fair because of the loud noise. Stryke said the music tasted like lemon rinds and he couldn’t stop throwing up. Eidolon had no clue how to help him. We finally learned to carry earplugs everywhere.” She sighed. “And getting him to eat was always a challenge. Up until the time he was twelve, I had to set a timer in the morning so he’d finish his breakfast. I still worry that he doesn’t eat enough.”

“I’ve found that if the food is interesting enough, he’ll eat it. But no, food is definitely not a priority.”

Runa studied her, her pale eyes making Cyan sweat a little. She felt like a bug under a magnifying glass. In the sun.

“You’re the first female of his we’ve met.”

Cyan had to force herself not to squirm. She’d dated, sure, but she’d never actually met any of her boyfriends’ parents. Nothing had ever gotten that deep. So, this was…uncomfortable.

“We’re not…I mean, it’s not that serious.”

Runa arched a brow. “I saw the way he looks at you. He’s let you in, Cyan. He’s never let anyone in. Not even his family.”

She closed her eyes and thought about what Runa said. He’d told Cyan that he’d never been in a relationship before, and she’d absolutely gotten the impression that he’d never opened up to anyone before.

“Was he always so private and closed off?”

“Private? Yes, but I would say that it was less about privacy and more about being unable to engage with others on the same level. Even as a kid, he didn’t enjoy playing with other kids. He did enjoy combat training, though. It gave him a chance to talk to his trainers about similar interests, and it got him out of his head.” She smiled sadly. “But he became closed off after we lost Chaos. He just sort of…left us.”

Cyan’s heart broke for her. And for Stryke. “I think he worries that the sight of him brings the family more pain.”

“He’s so wrong.” Runa’s eyes grew misty, and Cyan’s eyes stung. “What brings us pain is his absence.”

So heartbreaking. Cyan had no idea what to say, and her mouth felt too dry to say anything anyway. She stood, intending to find the nearest water fountain, but suddenly, the room spun.

“Cyan?” Runa caught her arm, steadying her before she fell. “Are you okay?”

“I don’t know.” Cyan sank back into the chair. “I think I’m just tired.”

Frowning, Runa put the back of her hand to Cyan’s forehead, checking for fever. “Maybe Eidolon should take a look at you.”

“It’s nothing,” she insisted. “I’m probably dehydrated.”

Runa gave her a no-nonsense look. “Maybe Eidolon should take a look at you,” she repeated more firmly this time, and Cyan couldn’t help but smile.

Her mom would have said the same thing.

Chapter 28

“What are you doing?”

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