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They turned into a clean white examination room.

“Can you get on the examination table on your own?” one of the medics said. “I’ll get you on a fluid drip to flush out the venom, then we’ll fix the antidote.”

“Antidote? I thought doggo venom wasn’t lethal,” Eden said.

“Given the dose he’s had, it’ll make him sick. We don’t want to take the risk of any adverse reactions.”

Blaze dropped onto the table and pulled himself up. He stared at Eden. She didn’t seem real. She was so damn beautiful. He chuckled and shook his head. Just another fantasy he had to let go of.

“You can stay with your friend,” one of the medics said as he hooked up the IV drip and inserted a needle into Blaze’s vein. “Things will feel weird for him for a few hours until all the doggo venom is out of his system.”

“Of course I’ll stay. If you want me to,” Eden said.

“If you’re real, you can stay. And even if you’re not, you can stay. I like having you around. You’re nice to look at.”

“You’re not so bad to look at yourself.”

Her soft smile pinged against his heart.

“What’s gotten into this little guy, though?” she said. “Doggos are usually placid. It takes a lot to make them angry.”

“Whatever it is, this one’s not letting go,” the taller medic said.

“And you’re always telling me the animals come first,” Blaze said to Eden. “I didn’t want to hurt him by yanking him off my arm.”

“We’ll sedate the animal. Then we can extract his teeth from your arm.” The medic moved away from the bed.

Blaze held out his hand for Eden to take. She didn’t hesitate in grasping hold of him.

He loved her touch. He loved being around Eden. The world felt better when she was by his side.

“You’re laughing again,” Eden said. “I should try some of that venom if it makes you feel so good.”

“If it weren’t for the teeth sticking into my arm, I’d have no problems. No duty, no responsibility, nothing to worry about.”

“What duties do you have? We get to spend the next few days relaxing here while the ship is fixed,” Eden said.

“Not those kind of duties. The duty I owe my family.”

She touched his forehead. “You’re not making much sense. Do you want me to call your family?”

“No. They don’t need to hear about me messing up. None of it makes any sense, but that’s how it works. You look at the profiles, you make a decision and a shortlist, and you meet them. It’s all arranged for you. No thinking involved. No feelings involved. You make the best choice for everyone. Well, apart from yourself. You’re one small cog in a huge machine.”

“I, um, okay. You’re talking about your role on the Apocalypse?” Eden said.

Blaze shook his head, his vision blurring. “Not there. There are no problems on the ship. Although you’re there.”

“You see me as a problem?”

“You are, but you shouldn’t be.” He grimaced as the doggo bit down harder and flapped its wings. “I wish my dad had given me your profile to check out. I’d have accepted in an instant.”

“Doc, could the venom be making Blaze hallucinate?” Eden said, glancing over at the two medics.

“Sure. It’s potent.” The taller medic looked up from his preparation of the sedative. “These little guys pack a punch.”

She shook her head, her attention returning to Blaze. “That’s why you’re saying so many weird things. It makes no sense your dad would have a file on me.”

“He should have. You’re perfect for me,” Blaze said.