Page 46 of Twist of Fate

Connal watched her go. Cosmo would already be with Silenus, delivering whatever account he could of the warehouse attack and Connal’s condition. Neither of them would appreciate learning that the situation had changed again.

Avaneel returned moments later, perched on the shoulder of a healer carrying a leather case.

The healer crossed directly to Gomez and knelt beside the bed.

Gomez watched her open the case. “Before we begin, I have questions about what constitutes healing in this place.”

“She will answer them,” Cosmo said from the doorway. “Probably more patiently than I would.”

Power settled over the chamber as King Silenus entered beside him.

Connal and his brothers bowed. Luke rose from beside Gomez but remained close to his friend.

Silenus’s attention went first to Connal. “Cosmo tells me the bindings have been removed.”

“They have.”

“And that the healers ordered you to rest.”

“I have recovered.”

Cosmo made a disbelieving sound. “He regained consciousness moments ago.”

“He nearly fell when he sat up,” Luke added.

“I did not fall.”

“Because I caught you.”

Silenus pointed toward one of the oversized chairs. “Sit.”

Connal obeyed, although the concern tightening Luke’s expression made a stronger argument than his king’s command.

“I came for a preliminary account of what happened in the human realm,” Silenus said. “What caused your injuries?”

“The warehouse was protected by a containment structure,” Connal explained. “It prevented us from opening a portal and attached magical bindings each time it struck me.”

“The people who set the trap knew where I had been sent,” Luke added. “I was supposed to deliver a thumb drive there. I think that’s what they wanted.”

Silenus looked toward him. “Do you still have it?”

“Yes.”

“And whoever prepared the warehouse?”

“They were not present,” Connal said. “The containment structure activated when we entered. ”Silenus’s expression hardened. “Then the danger has not passed.”

“No, Your Majesty.”

“The full account can wait. Until then, the drive remains in Luke’s possession, and no one returns to the warehouse without my authorization.”

Connal inclined his head. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Silenus turned toward the second human in the room. The healer had begun examining the rigid supports around Gomez’s legs while Gomez attempted to watch everything she did.

Cosmo crossed to his side. “And you must be Gomez.”

Gomez glanced from him to the King. “That depends. Am I in trouble?”