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Soft footsteps call my attention over Lillith’s shoulder, and I’ve never been so glad to see that black oval in my life.
“You’re awake. You gave me quite a scare, dear.”
I raise my hand, flipping Ghost off with what little strength I can muster.
“So rude. And after I went through all the trouble of saving you.”
I freeze at his words, taking in my surroundings for the first time since waking. Where the hell am I? What the fuck happened to Callum?
Lillith places her hand on mine as if she can see the panic setting in. “This is Ghost’s… bunker?” She looks at him for confirmation, but he only shrugs. With a disgruntled huff, she turns back to me. “You’re safe now. Callum’s dead.”
“Thanks to me. I told you we were friends,” Ghost says, a demented little cackle sounding from behind that mask. Creepy bastard.
Lillith turns to Ghost, the picture of calm despite the strange outburst. “Where’s Dr. Slater?”
Dr. Slater? My brows knit with the question, but neither of them notices.
Before Ghost can answer, the door screeches open, revealing the weathered face of the physician. He looks just as he did in the hospital, minus the swishing white coat and air of authority I was so used to seeing when he would interact with Lillith at work.
He spares a timid glance at Ghost before scurrying toward my bed. It’s not a look of fear, but of guilt. Like one wrong move, and the mask will reveal all the skeletons in his closet.
The dirt Ghost has on this man must be considerable. Life-altering.
Dr. Slater looks me over with those steely eyes, then turns to inspect the monitor. He gives a little nod as if he’s pleased with whatever the numbers say.
“Okay,” he rasps, turning to Lillith. “I’ll sedate and remove the tube.” He straightens, daring to look head-on at Ghost. “After that, I’m leaving. I don’t want any more of this on my hands.”
When Ghost doesn’t answer, Dr. Slater lets out a little shudder. “Lillith is perfectly capable to take care of him now. You don’t need me anymore.” The last part almost sounds like a plea. When Ghost finally nods, Dr. Slater lets out a whoosh of air. His fingers tremble slightly as he fills a syringe, plunging it into the IV port before I have the chance to fight it.
I search Lillith’s face, desperately memorizing every inch of that beautiful face. If it’s the last time I’m able to see it, I want to make the most of it.
“It’s okay,” she whispers, cupping the scarred half of my face in her palm. “You’re going to be fine, I promise. We’re just going to take the tube out.”
Something in her voice calms that primal instinct to fight, smothers all the fire in my veins. She promised. And Lillith wouldn’t lie to me. She’s too good for that. Too kind, especially to beasts like me.
When the blackness swallows me this time, I don’t worry.
Muffled voices filter through my semi-conscious state, growing louder as the effect of the anesthetic wear off.
“He should be on bed rest for the next week, with dressing changes every six to eight hours.” Slater.
“Pain meds?” Lillith.
“Have him take one of these if it gets unbearable.” The transfer of a bottle—probably some heavy narcotic from the good doctor’s private stash. “And don’t let him near them.”
A hushed whisper, no doubt low enough to keep Ghost from hearing.
“This thing’s equipped with special hearing, just so you know.” A creepy mechanical cackle that can only come from Ghost.
There’s silence, then the sound of the door shuddering open. “I’ll take my leave. Lillith…” He pauses for a beat too long. “Just… take care of yourself.”
Footsteps recede, the door shudders closed, and I know the doctor is gone.
I open my eye, and I’m greeted with the beautiful sight of her once more. She’s staring at my monitors, too preoccupied to notice my searing gaze.
I clear my throat, testing out its soreness before I try to speak. At the sound, Lillith’s head whips over, and lightning cracks in my veins as her eyes meet mine.
Those eyes. The eyes that have saved me, not once but twice. Eyes that unlocked my mind to a world of color, a universe of emotion. Beautiful eyes, shining with the most beautiful of souls.
