“It’s fine, Roz. You can go, Corvo’s waiting on you. I’ll be okay here.”
“If you’re sure,” Roz muttered.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” he said, meaning it.
Dr. Blackwell waited for Roz to leave before she continued, “So, today is simple. We’ll check your pupillary responses, eye surfaces, inflammation markers, and intraocular pressure. We’ll do some retinal and optical imaging after that. And last, we’ll test your balance and spatial mapping, auditory localization, and your reaction times…the cool stuff. Okay?”
He nodded.
Dr. Rockwell gave some instructions to her team as she linked his arm inside hers.
“Let’s get started.”
The tests were as easy as she promised.
No restraints. No hidden syringes.
Just machines that hummed, clicked, recorded, and physicians who asked permission each time before touching him.
When they were done, Dr. Rockwell explained her findings.
“Your ocular damage is consistent with chemical pressure trauma, the surfaces are dry and aggravated and your optic pathways are angry.”
“But your brain is offsetting fast. Remarkably fast. Your enhancement profile is”—Keira gasped—“off the charts.”
Gage let out a slow breath. “So what does all that mean?”
“It means you’ll need therapy and training. And that starts with orientation and mobility.”
Before he asked what that consisted of—Gage sensed him.
He inhaled and stilled at the presence easing closer.
Potent masculinity with a trace of something satisfying clinging to him.
Gage turned his face toward the shift in his air.
Someone new was standing behind him, someone that hadn’t been introduced yet.
“Hello, Gage.”
The man’s voice was peaceful. Not flirtatious. Not fake. Just…soothing.
“I’m Adrian Shaw,” he said. “Your orientation and mobility specialist. I’m the one who’s gonna’ teach you a ton of tricks that’ll make your life easier. Meaning, you and I will be spending a lot of time together.”
When he took his hand in his, Gage liked that his grip was confident without being controlling. His skin was smooth and warm, and his voice…his voice had a sexy bass to it that Gage didn’t realize he appreciated.
Maybe because it reminded him of someone.
“I promise I’m not going to bore you by keeping you in a classroom for hours a day,” he said. “You’ll learn while you live. Taking back your independence in real time.”
Gage smiled. “That sounds…fine.”
“Good,” Adrian said, with the smile in his voice. “Because class starts right now, and for our first lesson, we’re going on a field trip.”
“I hope it ain’t the planetarium. That bored me to death in school.” Gage’s mouth twitched. “The only fun part was Giselle Tucker putting her hand between my legs.”
Adrian’s laugh came out low and manly, the kind that made Gage want to keep hearing it.
