Cynetic Wolf
WAKE UP

Rocketing out of the bed, I threw both my arms at my attacker. I wasn’t going down without a fight.

“It’s me, shhh,” Fitz whispered. “Relax, Raek. We needed to talk and don’t have much time.”

My fist stopped seconds before trainwrecking his jaw. “Fitz?” What? “What are you doing here?”

“Shhh!” he whispered again. “We don’t have much time. Hrun’s dead. It was made to look like a heart attack but I think he was poisoned. Everything’s accelerated. Lilia’s in charge and the timing is too perfect. I think she planned it. I think she killed him!”

My legs caved and I sank to the bed. “What? She was here earlier. I heard what she said. She lied, told me she hadn’t seen you.”

“That doesn’t sound good. Are you dressed? Can you walk?”

“I’m fine. These darn nurses won’t let me leave.”

“Did you not hear what I said?” He grabbed my shoulders. “Lilia’s in charge now. She wants war at any cost. She’ll use you as a figurehead, even if that means a martyr.” He looked me dead in the eyes. “Is that what you want?”

“Well, no. But if it is what we need...”

He shook his head. “It isn’t safe here now. I can’t protect you. You need time to learn your cybernetics. We need to think.” He gritted his teeth. This was the first I’d seen him scared, burning eyes two steps from full-on panic.

Footsteps. We both froze.

Who was that?

A nurse appeared. “What are you doing here at this time of night, Lyam?” Her voice echoed through the empty ward.

“Darthie, you’re still here?” Fitz smiled. “I’m glad Raek’s in good hands. Couldn’t sleep. Too much excitement from last night. I wanted to check on him. When I got here, he was awake.”

“The boy needs his sleep, Lyam. It’s good to see you.” Her eyes narrowed. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

Fitz stood. “Take good care of him for me.”

She walked him to the door. “You always were a troublemaker, Lyam,” she muttered as they rounded the corner. “It’s good to have you back.”

A wave of exhaustion hit me. I was out cold before they’d exited the ward.