Page 106 of Kingdom of Today
“What happened? What’s wrong?” I rushed to him, flinging my arm around his waist just as his knees buckled. Acting as his crutch, I dragged him to the bed, and he toppled onto the mattress.
“I don’t understand,” he said between labored breaths. “I should be in the field with ... with ...” Misery contorted his features.
“It will be okay, it will be okay.” I rushed to the bathroom to gather the first aid kit, then rushed back to his side. After I cut away his new clothing, I tended to his wounds, cleaning and administering the proper medications. I explained everything I’d learned to the best of my ability.
As his physical pain dulled, he should have relaxed. He only grew more agitated. “I must have healed when Astan inhabited me, then returned to my injured state when he left.”
Goodness gracious, some of the wounds were deep. The curative gels and sealants I applied would aid in his recovery, but would they work fast enough? “You don’t need him to thrive or even survive. Soal will send a conduit.” I would make sure of it. “Or I will be a conduit.” Yes, yes.
Domino!I shouted his name across our bond.
No response came, and I gulped. He’d said the bond weakened when I entertained Astan’s thoughts. But I wasn’t. Was I?
“I love you,” Cyrus croaked, resolved.
Resolved ... to die? No, no, no. “I know you do. So listen to me. You will live. Okay? But you can’t host him again. Promise me. We’ll find another way.”
“I promise.” When I finished tending his injuries, he mumbled, “Stay with me. Need you.”
Hot air lashed my lungs, a stinging whip I couldn’t escape. I settled in at his side, careful not to jostle him. I luxuriated in his warmth, his scent. His eyelids sank, and he drifted to sleep.
My mind whirled. Cyrus needed help—a plan essential. Astan would attempt to join with him again, which meant I better read my book. Which meant I must get to the Rock. Which meant I should speak with Domino, who still hadn’t responded.
I sent another SOS along our connection and waited ... waited. No return message. I frowned, worry attempting to creep in. Had something happened to him?
Heart drumming, I eased from Cyrus’s embrace and stood. I’d have to get to the Rock without Domino’s help. If I got caught, I got caught. The payout exceeded the risk.
I shifted to peer down at his sleeping form, pleasure and heartbreak colliding inside me. If he accepted Astan a second time, he would set off a chain reaction of events leading to our war. I sensed it.
But I wasn’t going there. Not now. Better to be mission minded.
Determined, I carefully eased a specific ring from his finger. The one with the skeleton key. I also confiscated some of his other jewelry, checking them out before I donned them. Another ring, filled with a fine, white powder. Probably a sedative, maybe a toxin. An array of metal wristbands that opened and locked into daggers when shaken.
Deep breath in. Out. With a final glance at the man who had changed the trajectory of my life, teaching me to see past fear and fight for what I wanted, I tiptoed to the door. Now it was my turn to help him. And I would. Determination turned my bones to steel. I wouldn’t fail.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
I will do what I say, and nothing and no one can stop me.
—The Book of Soal1.24.1.12
There was only one way to reach my destination alive: with unflinching confidence. No hesitation. No backing down. Anything else would set off alarms.
Head high, I opened the suite door and marched into the hall as if I had somewhere important to be, because I’d been summoned by someone important. Honestly, I had. In Soal’s welcome letter to me, he’d instructed me to read my books. So. A summons. By a god.
The guards were gone, replaced by the meta. 999 again. It walked at my side, its steps smooth and light despite its significant weight.
“Lead me to the temple,” I demanded. The Rock was on the way.
The creature accelerated, pulling ahead.
“I’m gonna call you Nine,” I muttered.
It provided zero feedback, robot-dog speak fordon’t care.
As we traveled the corridors, I removed my weapon of choice. Two bracelets I would shake into daggers at the right moment. If I could shred the meta’s circuits, it couldn’t follow me into the rift room.
My heart thundered harder with every hallway closer. I hoped Domino’s fog would sweep toward us, confusing my metal companion. Alas.
