The door opened again. I expected Callen with the nurse, but Typhon walked in.
He looked the same as he had during the Labyrinth briefings—silver threading through dark hair, a suit that cost more than my monthly salary, with a bearing that made the room feel smaller. His eyes swept the space,took in each of us, and dismissed any potential threat in under a second.
Kiernan’s body language changed. The exhaustion was still there, but underneath it, he seemed more alert.
“Typhon,” he said.
“Archon.” The Unit 23 commander crossed to the bed and looked down with an expression that was impossible to read. “You look like shit.”
“I’m aware.”
“Good. Means you’re not delusional on top of everything else.” He pulled the chair I’d vacated closer to the bed and sat, crossing one leg over the other like he was settling in for a casual conversation. “The doctors tell me you’ll live.”
“Apparently.”
“Try not to sound so disappointed about it.”
Kiernan’s mouth twitched. “I’ll work on that.”
Typhon’s gaze shifted to me, then to Ophelia. The weight of his attention settled over us—not threatening, exactly, but assessing.
“Prima. Vanguard.” He nodded to us in turn. “I understand you were with him when it happened.”
“Yes, sir,” Ophelia responded.
“And that he did what he always does.”
My spine stiffened. “Yes.”
“That sounds about right.” Typhon shook his head. “He still thinks dying for people is easier than living for them.”
“I’m right here,” Kiernan griped.
“I’m aware.” Typhon turned to him. “We’ll debrief properly when you’re recovered. For now, I wanted to see for myself that you weren’t dead.”
“Disappointed?”
“Relieved.” The word was simple, but the weight behind it wasn’t. “You’re difficult to replace, Archon. Try to remember that.”
He stood and buttoned his jacket. Then he paused, looking at Ophelia and me again.
“When everyone’s cleared for duty, I’d like to discuss your futures with Unit 23.”
I blinked. “Sir?”
“Viper’s already briefed Prima on my interest. I’m extending the same consideration to you, Vanguard.” He looked between us. “Think about it. We’ll talk when Archon’s not bleeding all over the furniture.”
He left without waiting for a response. The door clicked shut behind him, and silence stretched.
“Did that just happen?” I asked.
“Typhon does what he wants,” Kiernan said. His eyes had drifted closed again, but his hand was still wrapped around mine. “You get used to it.”
“Unit 23.” Ophelia spoke softly. “Quite an honor.”
“The two of you would be brilliant.” Kiernan’s voice was fading, the exhaustion pulling him back under.
Callen returned with the nurse before I responded. She administered something through the IV, and within minutes, Kiernan’s grip on my hand loosened as the medication pulled him into genuine sleep.
