‘Ah, you’re awake.’
There were no windows to show night or day, so Bear was clueless of the time. ‘How long have I been here?’
‘I’ve had to keep you sedated for a week.’
‘A week!’
Professor Posla widened his grey eyes. ‘Yes, each time I thought you would be ready to return to your daily duties, you lashed out.’ Bear was focused on the healer’s purple hair. So similar to Oxley’s. ‘Do you think you can control your emotions now?’
Bear wanted to yell at him.Do you think I have no heart? That I can lock away my feelings?But he felt it wise to nod and act perfectly normal if he were to get out of being drugged each day.
‘You’ll be on the silent system for a month with some of your friends, so I hear. I’ll just fetch a guard to take you for a shower before it begins.’
‘Wait.’ Bear took a wobbly step closer, the sedation still messing with him. ‘Where’s Oxley Torro?’
Posla gave him a look as though he should know.
‘I know he’s … dead. I meant, where did they take him?’ Bear hoped Oxley’s body hadn’t been burned and his ashes scattered in Dead Man Bay, because that information would have him back on the bed in chains, let alone highly medicated.
‘A message was sent to your village, and some of your people came for him. Mr Kane arranged the whole thing.’ Posla went offto fetch a guard, and Bear slumped back to the bed to help with his balance.
Oxley was home. Not in the way planned, but at least he could be buried in the place he loved, a privilege not given to his mother or the elders who had hanged under the king’s orders.
Posla returned with Kane, and Bear was led to the shower chamber, neither man having words for the other until Bear was washed and dressed for his day. His belongings were waiting for him, even his toothbrush.
‘Do you need to eat before I take you to the silent system?’ asked Kane, his face appearing gaunt and in need of some food himself.
‘No. I don’t feel hungry.’
Kane motioned at the nightclothes. ‘Leave your things. I’ll have someone return them to your cell.’
That was a first, and Bear had to wonder why he was given special treatment. He knew why Kane had been that way with Oxley, but there was no reason for him to be nice to anyone else. A thought occurred, bringing unease.
‘I’m not Ox’s replacement for you, just so we’re clear.’
Kane’s pretty-boy features lost all prettiness as he growled. ‘No, you’re not. No one could replace him.’
So it was true. Mr Kane had fallen head over heels for Ox. Bear had little to say on the subject, so he quietly followed him all the way to the silent system, only speaking when they arrived.
‘How many were punished?’
Kane pulled out his key to unlock the barred door. ‘Quite a few. Emotions were high. Varklee spent time in a dark cell, and others in the pillory, but most were sent here.’ He stopped turning the key, then added, ‘And Smithson was sent to Red.’
Bear froze for all but a moment, all blood rushing from his legs.
‘She stabbed Judd after the horn blew,’ said Kane. ‘Rules are rules. She had to be sent there.’
‘Take me to the warden.’ A clear snap to Bear’s tone had Kane still with confusion.
‘What?’
‘You heard. I want to see Cardell.’
‘And what makes you think you can demand such a thing?’
Bear held a scowl in his eyes that showed fire and fury. ‘After everything that has gone on here lately, I think it’s safe to say this place is on the verge of exploding.’ He revealed a side smile full of confidence and arrogance, neither of which he was feeling, as inside shook and ached. ‘And we both know I can make that happen within the click of a finger.’ He raised his hand for effect, then watched the guard mull over his choices.
Kane dropped his key, the clink of metal on metal was the only sound as it hit the bunch of others attached to the chain on his belt.
