“Who’s that?” The man in the bed stirs. His voice is reedy and thin. He clears his throat, fingers grabbing for his glasses. “Massimo? Did you come to speak with me already? Or is that a new nurse?”
Panic hits me. I shouldn’t be here. He puts the glasses on and frowns at me, clearly somewhat confused as I look around for an escape. There’s a bathroom and another door behind him, but it’s not open, and I have no idea where it goes.
“Do I know you? Don’t worry, I don’t bite. Not usually at least.” He smiles weakly at his joke. “Did Massimo send you?”
“I’m so sorry,” I blurt out, frozen in place. The man continues to regard me curiously. “I think I’m a little lost.”
“Aren’t we all, dear?” He chuckles to himself and struggles to sit up straighter. “I admit you caught me at an awkward moment. Are you with the nursing staff?”
“No, actually. I was exploring the Fortress and I just?—”
His eyebrows raise. “You stumbled into my domain.”
“Something like that.”
“Casually through that ten-inch-thick steel door behind you? The one with the fancy security?”
“Uh—” I grin awkwardly. “Yes?”
His eyes narrow. I’m totally screwed. He can see right through me. Now that he’s coming awake, I can tell he’s much sharper than he seemed at first. Clearly physically weak and ailing basedon the way he doesn’t move much and how thin he is, but his mind is still solid.
“What’s your name?”
“Allie, sir.”
He smiles at that. “Call me Elias, not sir. You’re new here, aren’t you?”
“Very new.” I laugh awkwardly. “Can I be honest with you?”
“Please.”
“I thought someone in here was in trouble.”
His grin gets bigger. “Now why would you think that?”
“Well, I mean, Mass—” I pause, not sure how to explain it without mentioning the phone. “I heard sounds coming from this room and I was told I wasn’t allowed in here, so I just?—”
He nods knowingly. “You just assumed the big, bad Dragon was torturing me for information.”
“Kind of, yeah.”
“You’re not far off, actually.” He waves a hand at a chair set beside his bed. “Come sit down. I don’t get many visitors. How’d you make it through the door?”
I drift closer. Elias doesn’t seem like he’s a threat. The old man is clearly sick somehow, and Mass has gone out of his way to make his room comfortable. “I’m kind of Mass’s wife,” I admit, taking the indicated chair.
Elias brightens. “Are you really? I thought that might be you. He was just talking about you the last time he was here. It’s wonderful to meet you.”
“You too, but honestly…” I trail off.
“He never mentioned me.” Elias looks thoughtful. “No, he wouldn’t. He’s a smart man.”
I look around the room. The place looks genuinely nice. “Are you a prisoner in here?”
Elias seems to find that very funny. “Yes and no.”
“That’s not a great answer.”
“Let’s say that I am… but not because Mass wants to keep me.”
