Page 2 of Guiding Reason
Col sighed. “He saved me. I believe the imprinting was an accident. In a way, all imprintings are.”
Orrey gnawed on his bottom lip before speaking. “Yes. I suppose that’s correct.” He glanced at the door. “Assuming they are accidents, wouldn’t it be beneficial to have the option to reverse an accident?”
Col couldn’t follow that. It was too wordy. He could tell it was important though. “Speak like I partied with Taros for a week, little brother.”
“Right, sorry. When we were with Anandas and Rose, well, Anandas, when he heard I was bound—”
“You are imprinted upon, little brother. That is the word we use here.”
Orrey’s brow furrowed at the slight reprimand. “Right. Sorry. When I said Senlas had imprinted upon me, Anandas took me aside and offered to break the imprinting for me. He says it’s something he can do, and that it doesn’t hurt either of you, and that he will do it if you want. Do you understand?”
Despite the concussion, Col did. All too well. Orrey, however, didn’t.
Col had been on his feet for what felt like too long this day, but still, Orrey was family.And he’s still new. Wanting to do the right thing, but new.
Col reached out and took Orrey’s hand. Oddly, he thought he felt something like an afterimage of channeling there, but it might have been his drugged-up brain playing tricks, or something to do with the syncing Orrey and Senlas had achieved.
Col said, “Let’s imagine the situation. I go out there and ask a Hound to undo the imprinting, something that every regular knows is a thing to be happy about. Then I go back, no longer imprinted, something that we all know isn’t a thing that can happen. What then, little brother? How would that help?”
“But…we saw. What happened with Linar and Durgo. I don’t want you to end up like that, Col. Think of what seeing you that unhappy would do to Senlas and the others.”
His little brother’s protector training hit the mark dead center every now and then. Right now, he’d touched on one of Col’s exact fears.
The door to the room slid open and Hyran walked back inside, bags in both hands.
“Conduit Orrey. I passed your Guardian outside. He said you were keeping Col company. Thank you.”
Hyran didn’t sound confrontational, not overly polite either. Col felt the Guardian’s eyes on him, on Orrey.
Orrey nodded. “I asked Sen to wait. I know that it’s very rude to have a Guardian walk into the room of a Conduit who has been imprinted on by another.”
Huh, to think you had a sharp tongue and kept it hidden away all this time. You have much to learn, little brother, but you are learning fast.It will serve you and our team.
Hyran lowered his head. “I…I apologize for that. I don’t mean to be impolite, but Coldis should rest. He’s on very strong medication on account of his concussion.”
Col made himself smile. “My little brother was just telling me the same thing, Guardian Hyran. He has a reasonable streak I’ve been trying to correct. I’d like to think I helped him break the rules of the Grounds, although I’m sure the Municipal AI approved when he decided to rally the protectors for his rule breaking.”
Hyran’s green eyes snapped to Orrey. “Don’t listen to him. I didn’t get a chance to tell you, but you helped save people today, and your actions prevented worse things from happening. Ferrea is in your debt.”
Col felt his eyebrows creep up his forehead. It hurt for some reason. “You’re undoing all my work.”
“That’s too kind, Guardian,” Orrey said. “But I believe my big brother was complimenting me in his own way.”
“Oh. And please, it’s Hyran. If Coldis says you’re his little brother, then you are family to me.” He put the bags he’d been holding all this time on the round table across from Col’s bed. “I know the situation is unexpected, but…to be honest, that’s really everything it is. Unexpected. I’m just…I’ll do what I can.” He said it to Orrey, but his eyes flicked to Col. For approval? Forgiveness? Col couldn’t tell.
And I’m not sure I care anymore. My head hurts too much, and I want to be sick.
Orrey nodded. Col knew he should be saying something, probably, but he was starting to become drowsy on top of everything else. He craned his head to look at the medication dripping into his veins, silently blaming it.
“When can he leave?” Orrey asked. “I know the Champions’ Tower isn’t home, but I’m sure my big brother would be more comfortable there.”
Even through the drowsiness, Col admired Orrey. From the tight look Hyran returned, he didn’t share that admiration.
“He should be staying for the night. The physician said so. The first few hours after a head injury can be critical.”
Critical. The single word triggered something in Col’s mushy brain. Things that needed doing. Things he’d almost forgotten about because of those stupid drugs.
“I have a lot of work to do,” Col said. He reached for Orrey’s hand. “I need to make sure you get awarded a proper rank, and we need—fuck. We need security for the Grounds. The city.”
