Page 142 of Stars on Fire

She turned back to see Kainan attempt to rise from the med-scan bed.

‘What are you doing?’

‘Get me out of here,’ he barked.

‘What?’

‘I said, get me out of this hospital room.’

She panicked. ‘And take you where?’

‘Zulu One,’ he breathed. ‘To the grotto.’

‘But why?’

‘Because that is where I fokkin’ need to be.’

She blinked, staring at him, trying to make sense of his words.

It took a moment for her confusion to filter through, but when it did, he drew a deep breath. ‘Remember when we last visited the grotto? During the incursion?’ he said roughly.

She nodded wordlessly.

‘You left me there. Somehow I found myself pulled to the waters. I got inside, and it did that thing it does. It spoke to me. It told me to return when I was ready for healing.’

‘It what -?’ Selene croaked.

He rolled towards her, his molten eyes enlarged against his ravaged face, pleading.

‘Please,khamila, take me there. I don’t know how long I have left. I have to try everything in my power to get well.’

She shook her head to clear her racing thoughts.

‘You’re sure those are the words it said? It spoke to you?’

‘It did.’

‘I thought it could only speak to certain people,’ she wondered. ‘It must have sensed your need and wanted to help you.’

‘Khamila-,’ he warned.

‘We don’t need to go to Zulu One,’ she said quietly. ‘There’s a grotto right here at the Hospital. Every major facility on Dunia, especially a hospital this size, is expected to have one.’

She rose to her feet and scrambled for the call button on the silent bot nurse.

It was Ki’Remi who answered the prompt. He walked into the room and glanced at the bed, his eyes widening as they met Kainan’s. He gave his friend a quick smile.

‘Ki’Remi? Good,’ Selene said in relief. ‘I think it’s best if your brother tells you what he has in mind.’

With a curious look on his face, the Riders’ medic prowled to Kainan’s side.

His friend clutched his arm and stared at each other, speaking neurally.

Selene watched the waves of different expressions flow over their faces as they deliberated. After what seemed to be a vigorous debate, Ki’Remi nodded his head solemnly.

‘Where is this grotto?’ his sub-vox asked.

‘I don’t know,’ Selene answered. ‘Let’s get the hospital med team here and find out. We need to discuss the option with them.’

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