“His condition is worsening,” Pa grits out from my side. “But that makes him the perfect subject.”
“We’ve got some new experimental treatments,” comes Nero’s voice next. “We’ll run him through some trials. In the meantime, the meds keep him functioning. He’ll be fine.”
“Caelian,” Pa snaps. “You hearing this? Caelian!”
But I’m stuck in a trance. I can’t take my eyes off her, the fog rolling around me.
The ballerina executes a flawless grand jeté. For a moment she seems to hang in the air, suspended between earth and sky. Her eyes find mine across the smoke-filled room, gleaming like dark stones.
If only she knew how I feel about her; if only she could be mine…
“He can’t hear you, Carmine. The meds have got him in another universe right now. It doesn’t matter either way, we’ve got a deal,” Nero says. “We use Caelian for the experimental treatments. Use him to perfect the cure.”
“Sounds like a win for everybody. Including our bank accounts!” Pa laughs.
The smoke thickens, obscuring the stage. The ballerina fades into the fog, never to be seen again.
I half rise out of my seat, desperate to pull her out. Grab hold of her so we can run off together. But she’s not the only thing fading—I am too, as everything dims around me and it’s like a switch has been flipped off.
The next time I open my eyes, the smoke-filled theater room is gone.
I’m lying in what I recognize as my bed, covered by blankets.
I’mhome, finally back at my estate.
But I’m not alone. I’m hooked up to monitors that beep every few seconds, which means medical staff must be here.
And then there’s something else. Something warm pressed against my side.
With enormous effort, I tilt my head for a look. My vision slowly comes into focus, clearing up as I take in the familiar surroundings.
Things like the huge window on the left and the fireplace on the other side of the room. The small figure curled up beside me.
Nevi.
She’s asleep, her body pressed carefully against my uninjured side. Her face is peaceful in sleep, though her cheeks have tracks of dried tears. She’s still wearing the same clothes from Nero’s mansion—blood-stained and torn.
My blood, mostly.
I part my lips and try to say her name. Instead it comes out as a hoarse grunt. Barely even a sound, but it turns out to be enough.
Her eyes snap open, and she springs up like she’s ready to jump into action. Clearly she’s been on edge even while resting. She was only lightly sleeping, likely too upset for true peaceful deep sleep.
As soon as she glances at me and processes that I’m awake, she’s scrambling off the bed.
“Caelian… oh my god… you’re awake!” she gasps. Then she dashes for the door. “He’s awake! Dr. Tulio, he’s awake!”
Tulio.
The name leaves an immediate bad taste in my mouth given everything I’ve discovered. The doctor poisoned me for years, injecting me with experimental treatments that made me sicker. He stood by and let my father and Nero use me as their personal lab rat.
I shot him at ZincCo, intending to kill him. But apparently, he’s survived… and come back to help me?
When he appears in the doorway, I realize it’s true. the doctor saved my life after everything that’s happened.
I’m not sure what to think, so I start pushing myself up, reaching for the IV line in my arm to pull it out.
“Caelian, stop!” Nevaeh rushes back to my side, her small hands pressing gently against my shoulders. “Stop, please. You’ll hurt yourself.”
