He’s your brother. You love him. Be reasonable. You do not want him dead.
Yes, I do.
No!
“What’s wrong with him?” Cordelia asked.
Haerune sighed, allowing a long moment for Rentir to intervene before he answered. He did not. “He is experiencing withdrawal.”
“Withdrawal? From what? Are you saying he was using?” She barked a bitter, angry laugh. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. You got any other secrets you want to share with the class?”
That last question was directed at him.
“Using what?” Haerune asked, taking the words right from Rentir’s mind.
“I don’t know, drugs? Alcohol?” Cordelia cursed under her breath. “The whole betrayal thing is bad enough, but you were going to let me take you on a mission, risking lives, while you were impaired?”
Something thunked hard behind him, a sound of violence he could not resist. He whirled toward it, lips peeling back from his fangs as he looked for the threat to his woman. It was Cordelia who had lashed out, smacking the load of sedatives out of Haerune’s arm. He took a quick step back, holding up his hands in surrender, his gaze on Rentir.
“You’re supplying him?” she demanded, jabbing a finger in Haerune’s face. “What the fuck kind of friend are you supposed to be? Where do you get off acting like you care about him, huh?”
She advanced on him, and he retreated, his eyes still locked on Rentir, though carefully avoiding direct eye contact.
“Rentir,” Haerune pleaded.
“Cordelia.” His voice came out like gravel. “Come away from him.”
Cordelia stiffened, then turned toward him in indignation. Her eyes were bright with anger and narrowed to slits as her chest heaved. “You don’t tell me what to do. Not ever, but especially not right now.”
“Please.” He begged, gripping the edge of the exam table to keep from advancing on Haerune the way his instincts howled to.
She faltered, frowning. Her eyes darted between the two of them, clearly trying to catch up to the situation.
“He is not withdrawing from medication,” Haerune said, speaking slowly. “It is the effect of his bond to you.”
“I’m making him sick?”
Rentir growled at that, flashing a warning glare at Haerune. If he made her feel responsible…
“Your absence,” Haerune said, flattened against the door. “It appears to be an auretian trait, one we likely all share. Some combination of proximity and interest has triggered a physiological change in him, and now if he goes too long without contact…”
She looked back at him incredulously. “He gets the shakes? You can’t be serious.”
“I’m afraid I am.”
Rentir couldn’t meet her gaze. “Leave me. I am driven to… to pursue you, and I know it is unwelcome. I cannot contain myself much longer. Haerune will sedate me.”
She didn’t listen—of course she didn’t. She just stood there, taking his measure in silence.
“You’re no use to me like this,” she said at length.
The shame spearing him twisted, rending him further.
“I will be fine once I am medicated,” he said. “I told you I would not fail you, and I meant it.”
“What does he need to make this stop?” she asked Haerune, ignoring him.
Rentir bit back a snarl.
