Page 34 of Crowned

“We don’t know,” Reef answers, his jaw tight with worry. “But security has been doubled. It might be related to recent events.”

Dread settles in the pit of my stomach. I can feel the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. “We have to be careful,” I say, my voice steady despite the fear gnawing at me. I should have told them about the threat right away.

Cove nods, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for any sign of danger. “We won’t let anything happen to you, Malia.”

I draw a shaky breath, pushing down the fear threatening to overwhelm me. “What else did they say?” I ask, needing more information to make sense of this new threat.

“They’re investigating,” Bhodi replies, his voice low and full of contempt. “But for now, we need to stay vigilant.”

Reef steps closer, his voice low but firm. “Malia, we can’t stay here. It’s not safe. We need to get you out of the hospital.”

My mind races, conflicting emotions warring within me. “I can’t leave without Vance,” I insist, my voice trembling with determination.

Bhodi hesitates, exchanging a look with Cove. “Malia, Vance…he’s dead,” he says gently, his voice cracking with sorrow.

“No,” I whisper, my heart clenching in denial. “I need to see him. I need to be sure.”

Cove steps forward, his expression pained. “We’ll take you to the morgue,” he says quietly, pushing a nearby wheelchair towards my bed.

With their help, I gather the strength to move, allowing them to settle me into the wheelchair and drape a blanket over my lap. Bhodi pushes from behind, one hand squeezing my shoulder, his touch gentle yet firm. Cove and Reef flank me like sentries.

Navigating the silent corridors, we move swiftly and silently, avoiding the eyes of hospital staff. Everyone seems too busy and preoccupied with the security breach to pay us much attention anyway.

The hospital feels like a maze of shadows and whispers, each step bringing us closer to the truth I’m not sure I’m ready to face.

As we reach the cold, clinical doors of the morgue, I take a deep breath, bracing myself for what lies beyond. Cove pushes open the door, revealing rows of metal drawers. With trembling hands, I point to one in the back. It’s too far away to read what the label says, but as it’s the only one with a label I know it must be the professor.

“Open it,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Bhodi hesitates for a moment, then nods, his fingers gripping the handle. With a slow, deliberate motion, he pulls open the drawer.

Inside lies Vance, still and unmoving, his face peaceful in repose.

Reality crashes over me like a tidal wave, the truth settling in with crushing finality. Tears spill down my cheeks, a mixture of grief and disbelief.

“He’s gone,” Cove murmurs softly, his hand resting on my shoulder.

Was it all a dream then? Our time in the grove? Him confessing his love? The meeting with Yamaya?

As Cove murmurs softly that Vance is gone, I feel a surge of defiance rising within me. I reach out trembling fingers to stroke Vance’s face, tracing the familiar contours as if trying to imprint his features into my memory forever.

He’s not warm. But he doesn’t feel cold…gone…either.

“No,” I whisper urgently, my voice trembling with emotion. “We need you, Vance. Aerwyna needs you. We need our star to guide us through this darkness.”

Tears stream down my cheeks unchecked as I lean down, pressing a gentle kiss to Vance’s lips. In that moment of despair and desperate longing, I pour all my hope, all my love, into that kiss.

To my astonishment, warmth begins to spread from Vance’s lips to mine.

What’s happening?

I pull back, staring intently at his face.

Was that slight crease between his brows there before?

Or am I seeing hope where there’s none to be had?

I stop breathing, waiting, praying, needing him to be okay. To not be gone. To not be another person in my life who has left me.

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