“Radar can wake me up like that, and I don’t try to kill him for it.”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Zorin slips into his long sleeved top and armor again, then hides it all under a race suit.
“Please get ready.” Zorin glances at the door. “In the bathroom. I will guard out here.”
“Can’t you just wait outside?”
“Someone has to be with you at all times.” Zorin rubs his face. “Take Radar with you.”
I hesitantly grab my fresh suit and shower items and call Radar into the bathroom with me. He seems to have already forgotten the altercation and trots by Zorin’s large body with barely a glance at him.
As I shower and change, I think back to the night before, how Zorin saved and protected me then got torn to shit.
He seems to have healed fast.It’s something I remember about Mindorans from my studies. I just wish I hadn’t passed out on him.
When I’m dressed and tying up my hair for the day, I move to open the door and am certain I hear Zorin talking to someone. But when I step out, he’s alone. And my bed has been made. Zorin scoops up my dirty clothes and places them in the laundry bag by the door.
“Did you fix the bed?” I ask him.
Zorin stands more like a servant now, hands behind his back, feet slightly spread, and a passive look on his face. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Who were you talking to?”
He sighs. “Onidus. He is one of Viriden’s Isonian soldiers.”
It takes a second for my brain to catch up. “He’s…here?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I turn and look in the direction of the voice and realize he’s sitting on my window sill, arms crossed, glowing in the sunlight like an angel. “Have you come to take me to heaven?”
He gets up, walks to me, and moves around me, shimmering like a mirage around a white gold man. “You can see me?”
“Yes.”
“Zorin?” he asks.
Zorin doesn’t quite pinpoint him in the room. “No.”
“Interesting.”
I am about to lose my shit. “Someone tell me what the fuck is going on.”
Onidus looks me over from behind his gold mask.
Zorin gently motions me to the door. “Let’s chat over breakfast.”
“No, I want more answers first,” I retort. “Like why my neck is bandaged.”
“A bounty hunter tranquilized you. Nebs are trying to take you, via their Myndrous,” Onidus states. “We’re pretty sure he’s working with them.”
Zorin sighs. “Way to lead into it gently.”
“I don’t need gentle. I need the truth, whatever it is,” I say. “My whole life has been filled with abandonment and deception, back stabbing assholes, and snots like Carielle, stealing what I worked hard for. Give it to me straight so I can be prepared.”
“You also need food.” Zorin warily looks in Onidus’ general direction. “Please.”
I grit my teeth and stroke Radar’s head for comfort. “Why do Nebs want me?”
