Mia makes a noise, and I get up, rushing to her side and soothing her. She thrashes from side to side, but when I wipe down her face and neck, she settles. I place my hand on her forehead.
She doesn’t seem as hot.
Are the fevers breaking?
Time passes in the room. The lack of light means we have no idea whether it’s day or night, and we dare not open the door. Mordecai rises first, his eyes almost glowing in the dark.
“Kaida?”
With a grateful exhale of relief, I kneel beside him and help him drink. “You’re okay; you’ve been sick.”
He moans. “Feel it.”
“Shhh,” I whisper. “We can’t make any sounds.”
Mordecai’s faculties have returned despite being so sick, and he immediately goes tense.
“What happened?”
“The Beta’s Path came when everyone was sick. I hid as much as I could and got everyone I could find here.” I whisper the words straight into his ear.
Mordecai looks around the room. “Who?”
“Cadel, Jarek, Mia, and Legion.” I pause. “Kendric blocked the doorway and drew them away.”
Mordecai turns away, but I can see his jaw working. “Dumb bastard. Always playing the hero.”
I wait, giving him a moment to digest the news.
“Taryn?”
It’s telling that he asks for her first. I try to hide how unhappy his question makes me.
“I searched everywhere.”
“Bear?”
“I don’t think he’d come back from his scouting yet. I didn’t see him, Sophie, Willow, or Banks.”
“Good, I hope he didn’t come back. That will make things easier. Do you remember where the maps are hidden?”
I nod slowly. He grips my hand tightly.
“We need one. The location of the Resistance houses are in my head, but I don’t know the general neighbourhood.”
My stomach flutters. “All right. I can go get them.”
“Send Cadel.”
“No. Cadel needs to protect you; you’re all helpless in here.”
I stand up and grab my sword.
“I’ll be back.”
“Kaida!”
“I’ll be back,” I reassure them both.
