Chapter 27
The world was blurry and tasted like vinegar.
Stryke blinked up at the ceiling overhead. Why were there chains? And what was that infernal beeping?
Confusion left him dazed. And why couldn’t he see any colors? Just shades of black and gray.
“Stryke?”
He blinked, trying to recognize the voice. It sounded like his dad—maybe—but the buzz in his ears made everything distorted.
“Son.” His dad’s face filled his vision, and to Stryke’s left, Eidolon’s got too close for comfort. At least they were in color. “You’re awake. Thank the gods.”
Now the chains on the ceiling made sense. He was at Underworld General Hospital. But how had he gotten here?
“What—?” He coughed, wincing at the tightness in his chest. “What happened?”
His uncle and father exchanged glances before looking down at him again. Eidolon gripped his wrist, and Stryke felt the warm vibration of the doctor’s healing power flowing into his body.
“Remember I told you what would happen if you kept taking the suppressants?”
Oh, yeah. That. Shit. He would never hear the end of this.
“What the hell, Stryke?” Shade growled. “What were you thinking?”
He ignored his dad and focused on Eidolon. “Give it to me straight.”
“I’ve been giving it to you straight, and you haven’t listened. Maybe now you will.” The doctor stepped back and folded his arms across his broad chest, covering the caduceus symbol on his black scrub top. “Your organs are shutting down,” he said bluntly. “You experienced a cardiac event that would have been fatal if you’d gotten here five minutes later.”
“Oh, my God.” The new voice—his mother’s—left a pit in Stryke’s stomach. “A cardiac event? He could have died?” Runa rushed over, and his dad made room for her to get to the head of the bed. “How is he now? Can this be reversed?”
“I’m cautiously optimistic that it can. His organs are regenerating, and function is returning. He might have some temporary memory loss, but for now, he’s stable.”
“See?” Stryke said, taking his mom’s hand. “It’s not that bad. I’m fine.”
That earned him scathing glares from his dad and uncle, but at least they kept their mouths shut. They didn’t want to upset Runa more than she was.
His mom’s bloodshot, dark-crescented eyes tore at him. He’d never liked seeing her upset. As a child, he’d always been the one to run outside to pick a flower to cheer her up when she was sad. He’d been free with his hugs when she was mad. And he’d smiled when she was happy.
He hadn’t given her a reason to be happy in a long time, had he? She was wearing his necklace, though. Hopefully, that made her happy.
“I’m sorry I scared you,” he said, relieved when she smiled, the tension fading from her expression.
“It wasn’t just me you scared,” she remarked. “You have a lot of concerned friends out in the waiting room.”
Friends? Not likely. “I don’t have any friends,” he muttered. “Why are you lying?”
She laughed, the last traces of tension disappearing. “I’m not. Blade and Rade are here too.” He nearly groaned. The last thing he needed right now was Blade and his attitude. “Blade said you two worked together on an oil platform.”
They’d cooperated. Stryke wouldn’t say they’d worked together. But he couldn’t dash the thread of hope in his mother’s voice, so he nodded politely.
“He and his team took out a lot of demons.” He glanced behind her at the door. “Is Cyan here?” He hoped he didn’t sound too eager. Or worried that she wasn’t out there in the waiting area.
“She came in with you,” his dad said. “You want me to send her in?”
Badly. For some reason, Stryke needed to know that she was okay. Which was ridiculous since he was the one in the hospital bed. Maybe she could help explain how he’d gotten here.
“Please. Thank you, Dad.”
Stryke struggled to sit up in bed until his mom raised the head with a push of a button. Feeling a little foolish, he looked down at his pink and yellow bunny-spotted hospital gown and cursed silently. He’d bet anything Talon had been responsible for that. He and his physician cousin had pranked each other a lot as kids, and up until now, Stryke had been up by one.
Eidolon adjusted his stethoscope around his neck and moved toward the door. “We can talk about your condition and treatment later.”
His uncle and father slipped out of the room. The moment the door closed, his mom reached over and raked her fingers through his hair.
“Mom!” He tried to stop her, but she slapped his hand away.
“Your brother also said he thinks there’s something going on between you and Cyan. Sit still. I’m trying to make you presentable.” She frowned. “You always had that one curl that refused to behave…”
Presentable?
“Mom.” He caught her hand and gently pushed it away. “Enough. Cyan’s seen me in worse shape.” He looked down at the bunny gown. “Mostly. Also,” he added, “Blade needs to learn to keep his mouth shut.”
“He didn’t mean anything by it.” Her voice had a distinct mom tone to it. “He likes Cyan. I do too. Is it serious?”
Yes. “I really don’t—”
The door swung open, sparing him further awkwardness. He didn’t want to talk about this with his mom. Didn’t want to talk about it with anyone except Cyan. It felt serious to him, but how did she feel? What if she wasn’t where he was emotionally? Did he even want to know?
Son of a bitch . He hated the uncertainty. Hated the lack of control over his feelings. Relationships were nerve-wracking.
Cyan stepped inside, and his heart beat a little harder against his tender rib cage. She was all elegance, from her black heels and shimmery leggings to the flowing white blouse with a midnight rose print.
And she was still wearing her lab coat. Man, she was ridiculously beddable, and he was suddenly glad for the thick blanket across his lap.
Runa engulfed Cyan in a hug before she made it halfway to the bed. “Thank you for bringing him in,” she said to Cyan as she drew back. “You saved his life.”
“I can’t take any of the credit,” Cyan said. “I didn’t do anything except help the medics navigate the office Harrowgate. They did all the work.”
“Well, thank you anyway.” Runa looked back over her shoulder at him as she reached for the doorknob. “I’m going to have some food sent up. I’ll see you in a little while.”
“Thank you, Mom,” he said, hoping he sounded as sincere as he felt. “For everything.”
“Of course. You’re my son,” she said simply. She gave them both a farewell nod and stepped out into the hall.
The door whispered shut as Cyan came over, concentrated concern putting lines around her eyes. “I was so worried,” she said, taking a seat next to the bed.
“I’m fine,” he assured her. “They wouldn’t put a bunny gown on someone who was in serious condition.”
That made her smile, but it didn’t take the concern from her gaze. “What happened?”
“You tell me,” he said, flopping his head back onto the pillow to stare at the ceiling. What did they use those chains for? “I don’t remember much. I know I was in my office. I was supposed to be meeting you.” He looked over at her. “Are you the one who found me?”
She shook her head. “I got there with the paramedics. Apparently, you were talking to Taran. He’s the one who alerted Kalis.”
He searched his brain for that memory, but the file seemed to be missing. “I don’t remember meeting with him, but Eidolon said I might have some memory lapses.” Hopefully, that file would be restored soon. Changing the subject so he wouldn’t obsess over it, he gestured to the door. “Mom said there are people out there. I’m guessing from work?”
But really, why had he been talking with Taran?
“Parker and Dakarai came as soon as they heard. I’ve been updating Kalis.”
Parker. Great. Just great. The guy was probably disappointed that Stryke was still alive. On the upside, his mind was off Taran. Jealousy and a hot bolt of possessiveness took over instead.
“Have you been seeing him?” he asked, hoping he sounded calmer than he felt.
“Who?” She reached up to adjust one of her three silver hoop piercings in her right ear. “Parker?”
Stay cool . Blade used to tell him that, back when Stryke was learning to flirt with females. Chicks can sniff out desperation .
Stryke shrugged, like it was no big deal if she was dating Parker. Except it was. He would destroy the guy. Right after he got out of this bunny gown.
“You had dinner with him, but you never said how it went.”
She crossed her legs and sat back in her chair a little defensively. “That’s because we agreed not to ask about other people.”
“No,” he said, “we agreed to non-exclusivity.”
She folded her arms across her breasts and arched a pale eyebrow at him, daring him to argue. “Not asking questions about other lovers is implied.”
Made sense, he supposed. He didn’t argue, deferring to her knowledge of relationships.
“I haven’t asked you about Masumi,” she pointed out, and he thought, for just a heartbeat, there’d been the slightest hint of jealousy in her voice.
“You could have. I haven’t been with her since before we went to Sea Storm .”
She blinked. “Really?” He liked that she sounded pleased. “So, it’s just been me and your injections?” When he inclined his head, she scowled. “Why didn’t you tell me? If I’d known that, I could have been there more. Those shots can’t be that healthy for you.”
No shit .
Suddenly, she leaned forward, her eyes narrowed. “What are you not telling me?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You got that shut-down expression when I mentioned the suppressant not being good for you.”
How was it possible that he both hated and loved how easily she read him?
“Spill.” She crossed her arms again and waited.
Crap. He might as well tell her. She was bound to find out anyway.
“The suppressant is why I’m here.” He inhaled, the twinge of tenderness in his chest punctuating his words. “Apparently, it’s killing me.”
“Excuse me?” She stared at him as if trying to figure out if she’d heard him right. “Killing you? Did you know it was dangerous?”
“Yeah.” He shifted to face her, pushing through the soreness that seemed to permeate every cell of his body. “Eidolon warned me about it a few weeks ago.”
“A few weeks ago ? And you kept using it? What the hell, Stryke? You have Masumi! Why would you not be with her if you knew the suppressant was killing you?”
He caught a whiff of her anger, a hint of smoke mixing with her clean, metallic scent, and his entire body flooded with warmth and arousal. He loved being near her. Loved what being near her did to him. Even when she was angry at him.
“So, you want me to be with Masumi?”
She shoved angrily to her feet. “No. I don’t. I admit it. But I also recognize your biological imperatives, and we agreed to non-exclusivity, so I have no right to be jealous—”
“You’re jealous?”
“Oh, please, you know I am,” she snapped. “And wipe that smirk off your face.”
He laughed and caught her hand. “I don’t want to be with Masumi,” he said. “Ever since we got back from the Sea Storm , the thought of it feels like a betrayal. But it felt like a lot to ask of you if we weren’t exclusive.”
There was a long pause. “Then maybe we should be,” she said quietly.
A pang of desire and something deeper and stronger centered in his chest. He’d always gotten what he wanted, and there was nothing he wanted more, right in this minute, than to call this female his.
“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice rough. “It’s a lot—”
He broke off as she leaned over and slanted her mouth over his, silencing him in the best way.
“I’m sure,” she murmured against his lips.
He wrapped his arm around her and hauled her up onto the bed so she was lying on top of him, her legs tangled with his. He arched his pelvis into hers, making his erection blatantly known.
“Oh, my,” she breathed as she shoved herself up onto her elbows. “Just let me lock the door…”
They made it quick. At least, as quick as it could be, given that, for fifteen minutes afterward, Cyan had to lay there and muffle her moans every time a climax rolled through her.
“Everyone is going to know what we did,” she said against Stryke’s throat as she panted through another one.
“Don’t worry about it.” His voice vibrated through her, deep and comforting, and she snuggled in closer. “For my people, sex is no different than breathing. Everyone knows we’re breathing in here, and they don’t care, you know?”
She’d never really thought about it that way before. She’d grown up in the human world, where sex was often stigmatized, shamed, and even regulated. But for Stryke and his family, it was just another aspect and requirement of life, as vital yet mundane as eating, sleeping, or breathing.
Still, she wasn’t looking forward to facing everyone in the waiting room.
Stryke’s fingers, which had been stroking her arm as they lay there, went motionless. His chest rose and fell in deep, even breaths, and a couple of purring snores slipped between his full lips.
Good. He needed the rest.
Once the orgasm storm blew over, she cleaned up and dressed in the private bathroom. A few minutes later, she tiptoed out of the room and walked down the long, gray hallways to the private waiting room.
Runa looked up from her book the moment Cyan entered, looking tired and worried. “How’s he doing?”
“He’s resting.” She looked around at all the empty chairs. “Where is everyone?”
“They went to the cafeteria.” Runa put aside her book. “Do you want anything? I can message them.”
“No, thank you. I’m fine.”
“Maybe some water? You look a little flushed, and you must be tired.”
Heat seared Cyan’s face. Of course, she was flushed and tired. Her body was a wrung-out noodle. And Runa knew exactly why. “I, ah…”
Runa patted the seat next to her. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I’m just happy you’re helping my son through this.”
Smiling, Cyan took a seat. “I’ll bet you were a great mom.” Runa struck her as patient but firm, loving but not a pushover. A mama bear who didn’t let anyone screw with her kids. Or, more accurately, a mother werewolf, which was far more terrifying than a bear.
Runa laughed. “Those boys tested me every single day.”
“I can imagine.” Cyan shifted on the cushion, appreciating the comfortable touches in the waiting room built specifically for hospital staff and their families. “So, what was Stryke like when he was little?”
Glancing in the direction of Stryke’s room, Runa smiled fondly. “He was happy. Always inquisitive. When his brothers wanted to watch cartoons, he wanted to watch documentaries. When they wanted ice cream, he only wanted to know how the ice cream was made.”
Cyan had been much the same. Except she did want the ice cream. “When did you realize he was gifted?”
“Pretty early.” Someone in scrubs walked by and waved, and she returned it before turning back to Cyan. “We knew something was different about him when he was reading fifth-grade-level stories to his brothers at the age of three. At four, he not only knew the name of every dinosaur that ever existed but could spell their names as well.” Shaking her head, she let out a little laugh. “He was always either wanting to learn new things or telling you about the things he’d learned. He was so damned smart.”
“And stubborn, I’d imagine,” Cyan muttered.
“Ha! You have no idea,” Runa said. “We didn’t know how to handle him half the time. Not even Eidolon could help.” She waved to someone else. “I remember we once had to leave a state fair because of the loud noise. Stryke said the music tasted like lemon rinds and he couldn’t stop throwing up. Eidolon had no clue how to help him. We finally learned to carry earplugs everywhere.” She sighed. “And getting him to eat was always a challenge. Up until the time he was twelve, I had to set a timer in the morning so he’d finish his breakfast. I still worry that he doesn’t eat enough.”
“I’ve found that if the food is interesting enough, he’ll eat it. But no, food is definitely not a priority.”
Runa studied her, her pale eyes making Cyan sweat a little. She felt like a bug under a magnifying glass. In the sun.
“You’re the first female of his we’ve met.”
Cyan had to force herself not to squirm. She’d dated, sure, but she’d never actually met any of her boyfriends’ parents. Nothing had ever gotten that deep. So, this was…uncomfortable.
“We’re not…I mean, it’s not that serious.”
Runa arched a brow. “I saw the way he looks at you. He’s let you in, Cyan. He’s never let anyone in. Not even his family.”
She closed her eyes and thought about what Runa said. He’d told Cyan that he’d never been in a relationship before, and she’d absolutely gotten the impression that he’d never opened up to anyone before.
“Was he always so private and closed off?”
“Private? Yes, but I would say that it was less about privacy and more about being unable to engage with others on the same level. Even as a kid, he didn’t enjoy playing with other kids. He did enjoy combat training, though. It gave him a chance to talk to his trainers about similar interests, and it got him out of his head.” She smiled sadly. “But he became closed off after we lost Chaos. He just sort of…left us.”
Cyan’s heart broke for her. And for Stryke. “I think he worries that the sight of him brings the family more pain.”
“He’s so wrong.” Runa’s eyes grew misty, and Cyan’s eyes stung. “What brings us pain is his absence.”
So heartbreaking . Cyan had no idea what to say, and her mouth felt too dry to say anything anyway. She stood, intending to find the nearest water fountain, but suddenly, the room spun.
“Cyan?” Runa caught her arm, steadying her before she fell. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know.” Cyan sank back into the chair. “I think I’m just tired.”
Frowning, Runa put the back of her hand to Cyan’s forehead, checking for fever. “Maybe Eidolon should take a look at you.”
“It’s nothing,” she insisted. “I’m probably dehydrated.”
Runa gave her a no-nonsense look. “Maybe Eidolon should take a look at you,” she repeated more firmly this time, and Cyan couldn’t help but smile.
Her mom would have said the same thing.