Page 346 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘My concerns for Riley are always multifaceted. His system is highly reactive to stress and anything it perceives as invasive. I would like to run further tests, but I doubt he’ll let me. Could I ask that you keep an eye on him for me, Kade?’

‘And do what?’

‘Let me know if something unusual happens.’

‘Uh, I guess.’ Kade watches his blood run down the tube. He has no intention of breaking Riley’s privacy, but Noah’s worry is contagious.

‘Thank you. Do you need me to look over any of these injuries?’

‘No, I’m fine.’

‘Then try and get some rest.’

‘I will. Thanks, Doc.’

✴

He finds Lachlan in the basement outside the room that holds Roman Sorrenko. Blaire is with him. Their conversation ends when they see Kade.

‘Hey,’ Lachlan greets with a smile that signals a shift in energy. It’s a little forced, determined even. ‘How are you feeling now?’

‘Much better.’

‘Can you flex?’ Kade shows him he can. Lachlan gently touches his tendons, thumb pressing. ‘That’s good. You were really hurt.’

‘Not anymore. Where’s Vasily?’

‘Getting cleaned up. He’ll be down soon.’

‘Is he awake?’ Kade asks, gesturing to the door of the Drowner.

‘I think so.’

‘Not talking?’

‘Still gagged.’

‘We’re waiting on Riley too, right?’

‘He didn’t even know Roman,’ Blaire points out. ‘He can watch through the Ivy Wall you designed for him.’

‘So.’ Kade looks between them. ‘Did she, um… explain?’

Lachlan sobers. ‘We were just talking about it.’ The former bodyguard looks down at his hands with hollow fascination. ‘It isn’t sinking in yet. But it makes sense. I always felt… different.’

‘You’re a Brightling,’ Kade says gently.

‘Nothing ever manifested that I was aware of. And anyway, I don’t think that’s what I am anymore. Harker is right.’

‘About what?’

He shakes himself. ‘Doesn’t matter. We have enough to deal with right now besides that. Do you have the page?’

Kade wants to push, tell him it does matter, actually. It matters a lot.

Blaire gives Kade a look that plainly says, see what I was dealing with? The look is so strangely familiar he almost wants to return it. Blaire didn’t explain what she meant in the rain when she said Lachlan wasn’t alone in his body, but there’s just too much going on.

One thing at a time.