Chapter 59
Fifty-nine
Iwake with a startle. Heavily, I blink, yesterday’s events rushing back into my memory.
My heart physically aches as I recall Lenny’s face as he met his demise.
He should never have been put in this situation.
Leo is sitting up against the headboard, his head resting back.
I stare up at the ceiling until I give up on the effort of being awake to this heaviness, closing my eyes again.
The second time I wake is slower, the comfort of my bed beckoning me to stay.
I’m thankful that my dreams evade me, for I fear what, or who, I’ll see if I can dream.
Cracking an eyelid, golden hair and warm hazel eyes stare at me with concern, next to me on the bed.
I reach for Orion’s hand, returning to sleep once his fingers wrap around mine.
“She’s been asleep for two days; she needs to get up.” Leo’s sharp tone fills my ears—he’s arguing. A cold sweat sticks to my skin. I peel the blankets back as I listen.
“She’ll wake up when she’s ready.”
“For fuck’s sake, the two of you fight over her like you have nothing better to do. I’m going in there. She’s not immortal; she needs to eat and drink and get some fucking light on her face.” Leave it to Celeste to put them in their place.
She must move towards the door, for both men yell out, “No!”
“No? Then who’s going in? Are you going to fight over who gets to see her first?”
“Just—give her some time. We don’t want to overwhelm her.” Bless Orion and his compassionate heart.
I sigh, fearing that this won’t resolve itself between the stubborn souls waiting outside my door.
My options are limited. Either I pretend to be still asleep and Celeste barges in to wake me, or I face them and this day on my own.
I briefly consider a third option, looking around the room for an alternate escape route, but ultimately decide the window is too high for my bolting.
I sit up, dangling my feet off the bed as I stare down at the ground. One foot in front of the other; take one thing at a time, Zell. Firmly placing my foot on the ground, I return to the realm of the living.
After taking care of my needs in the bathroom, I creak open the door to the main living area.
The trio is gathered around the island, all falling silent as I pad out to them.
Celeste meets me halfway, wrapping me in a hug.
“I don’t think you could have fiercer bodyguards.
” I place my hand on her back, trying to find an ounce of warmth within me to return the embrace. She’s mourning too, I remind myself.
“What do you need?” Leo asks.
What do I need? A thousand things, mainly the ability to turn back time. To get my friend back. Above all else, revenge. Justice. Freedom.
Pulling back from Celeste, I look all three in the eyes, promising, “To make them pay.”
“What did I miss at training?” I ask, forcing another bite of scrambled eggs into my mouth. My appetite is nonexistent, but the way Orion is supervising my food intake has me taking bite after bite to appease him.
Orion sips his water. “Only a regular physical circuit. Don’t worry about that; you can start back when you’re ready.”
“Stop fucking babying her,” Leo chimes in from the sink as he scrubs a pan. Celeste chuckles across from me.
Orion opens his mouth to retort, but I shake my head, placing my fork down. “Leo’s right. We’re running out of time, and every moment counts. I can’t afford to fall behind. We have less than a month to plan and prepare.”
“Then let’s get started.”