Sin's knees felt weak. There was a pounding in his chest where his heart should be. His breath wouldn't quite fill his lungs. When he started to lose his balance, he thought it had to be the motion of the train, but her delicate hands reached up for his shoulders. Carefully, she steered him toward one of the plush chairs.
"Benedict?" he managed to ask.
Her reply was too quiet. "I'm sorry."
He nodded, one hand rubbing across his mouth. This didn't make any sense. He needed to do something, but his mind felt like it wasn't keeping up. How could Benedict be in the hospital? If he was, that meant the Praetor needed him, but Sin couldn't leave his angel. He had to do something, and he couldn't do all of it at the same time, so he had to pick.
"I have to get you back," he mumbled.
"That's what we're doing," she assured him.
"But I'm supposed to protect you." He glanced through the window. "Is he going to die?"
She reached down for his hands, the sleeves of her robe swallowing her arms. "Yes."
Sin blinked quickly, shaking his head to make her words disappear. "He can't die, Riss. Benedict, he's..."
"God will find you another leader, but the Legion will need you. Especially now."
She stood in front of him, those silver eyes so understanding yet so innocent. She was trying to protect him, but that wasn't how this worked. When he tried to stand, she shook her head, holding him in place with the lightest grip on his hands.
"How can I help?" she asked.
"Can you save him?" he begged.
"No."
He pulled one hand away to wipe at his eyes. "Then you can't help, Rissa." He sniffed. "He's kinda like the only dad I've ever had. Benedict took care of me back when I was a kid. Helped me get out of trouble and into the Legion, supported me when I said I wanted to be a Legate." Sin tilted his head back and closed his eyes, begging the sorrow to wait until he was alone, but it wasn't working. "He's all I have left!"
She sank to her knees and looked at the ground. "How do I pray?"
He laughed sadly at her question. "You just do it, Riss. Dear God, and then whatever you want to say."
"Ok." She nodded and clasped her hands before her. "Dear God, please don't make my friend hurt any more, and show me the question so I can find the answer he needs."
He wiped at his eyes and leaned forward, his gloved hand sliding around both of hers. "That's a pretty nice prayer. It doesn't always work, though. Sometimes, God has bigger plans than what we can see."
When she looked up, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I don't know what else to do. I can't find a way to save him."
He squeezed her fingers. "This isn't something you can fix, Princess, but it makes me feel better to hear you call me a friend."
"You're my only friend." She turned her head quickly, her eyes looking through the glass. "We're almost there. If we cut through the Mitchel Corp. parking lot it will cut ten minutes off our walk back."
"I know you don't want to go back..."
Rissa shook her head and stood, as graceful and elegant as always. "My legs are tired, Brother Sin, and I would like to sleep. I am ready to return to the Enclave."
"Bullshit, but that's sweet of you." With a sigh he pulled himself out of the chair. He only had to debate for a moment before he wrapped his arms around the tiny sack of cloth he called a client. "Thanks for taking care of me, angel. I'll make it up to you next time."
"I just want to help, Sin. I'll try to pray again, and maybe it will work."
True to her word, Rissa rushed back to the Enclave. He didn't get the chance to speak to her again before she was led away behind the cold white doors. As soon as his duty was complete, Sin's facade of professionalism dropped away. He ran throughthe OutLink lobby, bolted to catch the closest train and didn't stop until he was storming up the stairs of the hospital.
He never once doubted what Rissa had said. He'd seen her eyes. It was all the proof he'd needed.
Chapter Thirty-Four
At the hospital lobby, the receptionist looked up at him. Three cables were attached to her head, allowing her to monitor each floor and all incoming calls. He didn't even need to ask for the room. She took one look at his armor and weapons, another at his face, and then pointed to the elevator.
