Page 14 of A Dark Infinity

“So, what can we do?” I demand, my voice tinged with frustration. “Is there a treatment? Something to slow it the fuck down?”

Abel sighs, his expression resigned. “I’m afraid there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, Ethan,” he replies gently. “And given the advanced stage of her dad’s condition, our options are limited. Our primary goal is to make him as comfortable as possible.”

My fists clench at my sides, a surge of anger coursing through me. “Comfortable?” I scoff, incredulously. “Is that all we can do? Just sit back and watch?”

Abel takes a step closer, and despite his age, he’s a fucking beast when he’s angry. “Don’t talk to me like that. I’m here as a favor, but I’d be happy to leave you to take care of this yourself.”

Even though I’m not in the mood to play nice, I’m also not in a position where I can ignore how important Abel is. He’s the most capable doctor in the world, so if he says there’s nothing to do for Lark’s dad, it truly means nothing. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want him to stick around as long as possible. So I swallow down the urge to tell him to fuck off. “Sorry, man,” I grit out.

Abel inclines his head. “I’m not someone you can just call upon whenever you want to. You’re lucky Nikolaos approved the trip.”

I know I’m fucking lucky that my family’s Leader allowed Abel to shirk his normal duties to come here and help me. Just like I know Abel won’t be staying long now that he can’t do anything to help.

“Speaking of,” I say, eager to change the subject. “How is Nikolaos?”

“Busy training his Protégés. Their initiation is coming up soon,” he reminds me like its something I could forget.

“That’s good,” I observe.

Abel grunts. “Acacia is every inch her father’s daughter. The Great’s blood runs deep in her. Nikolaos has had to get creative with the tests for her, and I imagine there’s more to come. He might even ask for your help.”

It takes everything in me not to flinch at the reminder I can be called upon at any moment, and if Nikolaos needs me, I can’t decline if I want to stay alive. Though I prefer to stay as far from the family politics as possible, there are certain things I can’t ignore no matter how much I want to. The initiation of new Protégés is one, and a direct order from my Leader, Nikolaos the Ruthless, is another. And since Nikolaos only allowed Abel to come here if I attend the ceremony, I already gave him my word.

This is why I like my life far away from the core of the family; the ones with the last name, Drákon. Those of us on the outside are gifted with other names; like Drake, Drakou. Fuck, there are probably a lot more I don’t know, and that’s the way I like it.

“Tell me something,” I say, wanting to get our conversation back to Lark. “What would you do in my position?”

“Are you asking me as a doctor or as a Drákon?” Abel asks, immediately knowing who I’m talking about.

I arch a brow. “Do you have different answers? Come on, Abel. We both know Nikolaos has already given you his orders. So what are they?”

“To end his life if there’s nothing to be done,” the doctor says. His tone is bordering on bored, proving he doesn’t care about the death sentence.

I’m not surprised by his words, but I still don’t like them. I don’t like knowing that Lark is going to lose her only family member, even if said person is nothing more than a shelf of his former self.

“Okay,” I say. “But not yet. I have plans for Lark, and I don’t want them jeopardized by her loss.”

Abel pulls out his phone and shows me a text from Nikolaos. It seems the Drákon Leader already expected I’d ask for more time. “One week?” I ask incredulously. “That’s all he’s willing to give me?”

“He doesn’t owe you anything,” Abel bites, defending his master. “A week is generous.”

I’m not a good person, so I don’t really care about the man who’s going to die in a week. To be fair, he’s already dying and I can’t imagine he’s all that comfortable. But I don’t know how this will affect Lark. People do stupid things when they’re grieving, and I can’t afford for her to try to run away from me.

My phone vibrates, and when I glance down, it shows me Lark’s dot is almost here. “Fine.” I rake a hand through my hair. “But Lark is mine, and I don’t want any interference in what I do with her.”

“Have you claimed her?” Abel asks, completely unfazed. When I shake my head, he shrugs. “Then she’s not yours yet.”

The hell she isn’t.

Lark

As I step into the medical facility, Abel greets me warmly, “Lark, good to see you again. Please, come in.”

“Thank you, Abel,” I reply, trying to mask my nerves.

To my surprise, Ethan is also there, leaning against the wall with a serious expression. Abel notices my confusion and explains, “Ethan has been kept informed about your dad’s situation, given the company’s involvement in his care.”

“Oh, I see,” I respond. I’m not sure I like that, but on the other hand, I’m glad I’m not alone.

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