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“So what you’re saying is I should keep it under wraps for a while?” I suggest, noting a mischievous glint in Max’s eyes. It seems he finds the idea just as entertaining.
“Are you ready?” Max asks, changing the subject.
“Sure,” I respond, curious about what awaits us on this uncharted floor. I’ve never been allowed access here before, and for a moment, I wonder if Thea might be among the patients here. If she is, I’ll have to confront that reality when the time comes.
Max pushes open the door to the central area of the dorm level, and the sudden burst of brightness momentarily blinds me. As my vision adjusts, I’m struck by the sound of every single patient in the room excitedly shouting Max’s name.
I’m gently pushed aside by the fervor of their greetings, but I don’t mind at all. He greets each of them with a genuine smile, and there are so many patients here that my heart aches just from taking in the scene. Observing this side of Max, a side reserved solely for these patients, fills me with a sense of warmth and admiration.
While the cafeteria is situated downstairs, this floor features a few vending machines for snacks, a tucked away pharmacy, a cozy living room area, and a section filled with games and entertainment. There are about a dozen patients here, representing various designations, including a mage who lies in the middle of the floor, conjuring enchanting blue butterflies and releasing them into the room. She doesn’t rise to greet Max, but instead offers a friendly wave from her spot on the floor.
I find a comfortable spot against the wall, content to observe Max as he greets each patient by name. Their conversations revolve around his recent trip and whether he brought back any surprises for them. It strikes me that this may be the first time many of them have seen Max in years.
Just how long have they all been here?I wonder as I contemplate the unique bonds he shares with these individuals, each needing his care and attention.
As I continue to observe Max’s interactions with the patients, I can’t help but be moved by his genuine connection with each of them. They hang onto his every word, their eyes filled with admiration and gratitude. It’s evident that Max’s presence brings them a sense of comfort and hope that they may not find elsewhere.
One of the patients, a young gamma no older than me with a gentle smile, approaches Max with a drawing in hand. “I made this for you, Dr. Max,” she says, her voice filled with excitement. Max takes the drawing and praises her artistic skills, making her blush with pride.
Another patient, a burly delta with twitchy eyes, claps Max on the back and shares a hearty laugh with him. Their camaraderie is infectious, spreading warmth throughout the room.
As I watch, my heart swells with admiration for Max and his unwavering dedication to these individuals who need him. He doesn’t just treat their mental ailments, he tends to their physical well-being as well, offering a sense of belonging and family that many of them may have lost.
As the minutes tick by, I watch with a sense of pride that he even allowed me to witness this. My cheeks ache from the prolonged smile that’s graced my face. However, every few minutes, my gaze sweeps the room in search of Thea, who neverappears, leaving me uncertain about my feelings regarding her absence.
A few minutes later, a mage approaches me, cradling a delicate blue butterfly in her hands. “For you,” she mutters in a broken dialect, a reminder that our native tongues differ.
“Thank you,” I respond, extending my palm, and she gently deposits the butterfly into my hand. An unexpected electric tingle of magic races up my arm, causing me to gasp.
“Sometimes,” she whispers, her dark eyes reminiscent of a beetle, her long hair cascading down her back, “we are our own worst enemy.”
“Excuse me?” I inquire, peering at her over the butterfly.
“You heard me,” she states. “We are the ones who hold ourselves back from love.”
I steal a glance at Max, who’s engrossed in a game of checkers on the floor with an older woman. Am I indeed holding myself back?
“Not just him,” she murmurs, as though she can sense my inner thoughts. “All forms of love.” With a wink, she turns away, her petite stature almost elf-like.
The butterfly in my hand inexplicably sinks beneath my skin, and I frantically shake my hands, but it’s already embedded within me. Panicked, I look up at the mage, but she’s on the other side of the room, smirking at me.
What the hell just happened?
“Minerva has a knack for unsettling people,” Max chimes in, surprising me with his presence. “She’s a seer. Committed herself a decade ago. What did she say to you?”
I turn my gaze back to Max, swallowing my unease as I offer him a soft smile. “Nothing,” I fib.
However, her words linger within me, settling like a heavy stone. I know I’ll carry them with me for a long time.
CHAPTER 15
Seraphina
A fierce hungerripples through my entire body, unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Only one word can even come close to describing what I’m feeling right now—ravenous—and it isn’t even for... you know, dick.
No, I’m honestly just starving.
My stomach lets out a rumbling growl that I swear reverberates through the windows, drawing amused glances from the others in the room. Sitting beside me, Ashton catches my eye, and his lips curl into a crooked smile.
