Page 74

Sinead breathed a sigh of relief as she stood, her heart pounding so hard she could feel the thrum in her head and checked each way was clear before heading to the door.

“You’ll have no problem getting in,” Booby said. “All locks have been disabled.”

Sinead eased open the door. She checked the corridor was empty before heading inside and softly closing the door behind her.

She hurried along the corridor, pausing now and again to make sure she couldn’t hear sounds of anyone approaching.

She reached the end of the corridor. “Okay, Booby. Over to you.”

“Power will be cut in five seconds. Four, three, two, one.” Darkness descended around Sinead, and emergency lighting flickered to life, giving the corridor a stark white glare.

“The power is off-line,” Booby said. “You have five minutes while the system reboots.”

Sinead wiped her sweating palms down her thighs before easing open the door into the main corridor. She waited as several individuals in blue work tunics raced past.

Once the way was clear, she eased into the corridor, before hurrying toward the operating rooms. Up ahead, toward the reception area, she could hear several people talking. One of them was Holly.

“I’m here,” she said to Booby. Sinead pushed open the first door to find the room empty. Medical equipment lined the walls, and there was an operating table in the center, but no sign of Talyn.

She tried the next room, and it was also empty. Worry traced down her spine. “He’s not here.”

“Keep searching. He’s not wearing his wrist comm, which suggests it’s been taken off in preparation for the procedure, but it’s close by. It’s showing he’s in that area.”

Sinead opened the third door, and her heart stuttered. Talyn lay on the table, his eyes closed and his arms resting by his sides. She hurried over, panic running through her. Were they too late?

“I’ve found him.” She pressed a hand to his forehead and leaned forward until her mouth was by his ear. “Talyn, can you hear me?”

She had to say his name several times before he responded. His eyes fluttered open, and his gaze was unfocused. He blinked at her without comprehension.

A sob escaped Sinead’s lips. He’d been taken. His memories were gone. They were too late. Tears trickled down her face as she rested a hand against Talyn’s cheek. “I’ll make you remember me. You’re not going to forget what we have.”

Talyn blinked slowly. “Sinead?”

She gasped. “It’s me! You remember? They haven’t done the expunge yet?”

His tongue ran over his lips. “I’m still here.”

“Not for much longer. We’re getting you out.” She eased an arm around his shoulders and forced him to sit.

“Too late.” Talyn’s words slurred as he leaned against her.

“No, it’s not. You have people who care for you. We’re not letting you do this. We’ll find another way to help you.”

“Can’t go now.”

“Yell at me later after we’ve talked this through. Right now, we have to leave. We’ve only got a few minutes before the power comes back. Can you stand?”

Talyn nodded and leaned against her as he staggered to his feet.

Sinead looked around for his clothes but couldn’t see them. He was dressed in a loose tunic and pants.

“Why are you doing this?” he whispered.

“You know why.” Sinead checked the corridor and ducked her head back when she saw two nurses hurry past.

“Tell me.”

She pressed Talyn against the wall and stared into his confused face. “Because I love you.” She covered his mouth with hers, pushing her feelings of frustration, longing, and confusion into that kiss.