‘Don’t ask.’
‘Got it,’I say, right as Dr. Steinbeck comes into the bay to do a physical.
* * *
Two hours later, I feel like a new woman. It’s incredible what a ritual from hell and a long shower will do for you. I wouldn’t recommend this one though, those rituals will go tits up if you’re anything like me.
I’m still confused about what happened. Lynx explained that my body bowed and threw off an arc of energy that threw him across the cavern, knocking him out. He woke up in an empty cave and had to go find me.
I was unconscious for roughly twenty hours, and my little gang stayed by my side the entire time, Lynx grudgingly admitted. I had to recap everything that I remembered with Dr. Steinbeck and he asked questions until I was blue in the face answering them. Most of them I couldn’t answer or remember, thankfully, otherwise I would have been there longer. He wanted to keep me for observation and I quickly told him that I didn’t care he was a doctor, he was going to learn how to sew back on his balls if he tried to keep me. Okay, so really, I just asked him if we could compromise and let me go home and swing back by for a check up in a few days. Of course he agreed and excused me from my Specials, which were happening as we finished up. I still haven’t even attended one yet, and at this rate, I’m starting to think they’re cursed for me. Hopefully, it doesn’t affect me getting out of Purgatory. I’m not the only one skipping out on Specials today though. JP and Moni are napping in their rooms, and Lynx is curled up on the sofa, passed out. I think he took me being down the hardest.
Shaking my head, I walk out into the living room where Zeke looks so much better. His skin has more of a rosy look, his eyes aren’t bloodshot, and he’s showered and taken the time to style his hair. After my shower, I threw on another pair of leggings and a sweater advertising the Sex God Revolution that JP laid out for me. He’s really trying to make that a thing, huh?
“I see you finally fed,” I say and give him a kiss on the cheek. Happy he’s better, I walk over to the kitchen to grab a water and bring one back to him.
He’s looking down at his phone and frowning when I return.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, handing him the water bottle.
“I just got a text from my father. Well, I mean, this is the first time I turned my phone on, and he’s been blowing it up,” he says with a scowl.
“You should be happy. Turn that frown upside down,” I coax, taking a sip and leaning on the back of the sofa.
He turns and looks at me, shaking his head. “No, you don’t understand. He’s… impossible. No matter what I do for him, it’s not enough,” he pulls at his hair. “I’ve tried to make him happy for years, but I don’t want to lose myself either. I don’t want to follow in his footsteps, ya know?” He says, getting to his feet so he can start pacing in front of me. Concerned for him, I drink down the rest of my water as I watch him.
“He’s the Mayor and really into politics. Hell, our ancestors were rulers. Dad can trace that shit back… to hell knows how far. But I don’t want to lead. Hell, I hate politics, it’s too structured, and you have to suck up to people. That’s not me, Rez. I’m a free spirit.” Shaking his head, he turns his pleading eyes to me.
It actually hurts to see him like this as sorrow seeps into his expression. “Though, I just want him to be happy with me for once. I just want him to be proud of me forsomething. Just once.” When he shrugs in defeat, I walk over and give him a hug right as his phone dings. He ignores it and just allows me to hold him for a few minutes before letting go.
He steps back, looking at his phone, and types out a reply. “Do you know where City Hall is?” He asks.
“Yeah, isn’t that in the Hub? Why?” I ask, throwing away my water bottle in the kitchen.
“Dad has your phone and said you can swing by and pick it up,” he informs me, giving me a sly smile.
“What’s that look for?” I ask, and he playfully raises his eyebrows at me. I’m excited to be getting a phone, finally, but I’m starting to think it’s a trick of some kind.
“It means you will have a phone, and we can send messages… very illicit texts,” he hints and begins lifting up his shirt to show me those yummy abs.
“Damnit, Zeke, don’t tease me,” I say giddily, running to him to stop him from ripping it off. He catches me and drops me onto the soft sofa with him on top of me, while laughter bubbles out of me before I start to shriek.
“Gah, no!” He runs his fingers up my sides, making me about pee my pants.
Now wouldn’t that be attractive?
Chapter Thirty-Four
Creepy is HIS middle name
Rez
Thirty minutes later, after promising to text Zeke first, I find myself walking into Mayor Abernathy’s office. Thankfully, it’s easier to find today than Levi’s office my first day here. It’s a pretty swanky office, with an exotic fish tank that a waterfall empties into in the corner. Big bay windows line the back wall, and a large reception desk takes up the left-hand side. Walking up to the desk, I see the sign saying ‘Be Right Back. Have a Seat’.
I turn around when I hear the door open on the right-hand side, and I freeze. Out walks the Queen Harpy herself, holding a folder and notepad in her hand. Noticing me, she scowls but keeps her mouth shut and walks over to the desk.
Well, lookie here. Guess this is one of her Specials. Government. I guess it makes sense since she’s supposedly royalty and all that jazz. I’m still giving Emer the death stare when a throat clears, redirecting my attention. Sure enough, turning and seeing it immediately—the resemblance to Zeke. Mayor Abernathy is as tall as Zeke, with short cropped auburn hair, but with yellow eyes and a clean-shaven angular face. The suit he’s wearing would give Levi some competition, which is completely un-Zeke-like.
“Hello, you must be Nerezza,” he says with his smooth as honey voice. It reminds me of Zeke’s, yet there’s something about it that hits my ear wrong.
