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“Miss, you must come back!” a security guard called.

“You’ll have to catch me,” she yelled. “Talyn! Where are you?”

“It’s no good. He’s sedated,” Dr. Cross shouted. “He’ll be asleep.”

“Talyn never sleeps properly if I’m not there,” Sinead said. “Talyn! I know you’re here. We have to talk. I’ve made a mistake. I—” She yelped as two strong hands grabbed her shoulders and yanked her backward.

“This is a restricted area,” the security guard said. “Come with us unless you want to be arrested.”

Sinead twisted in the security guard’s grip, but there was no way she was getting away. He was twice as broad as her and didn’t even protest when she kicked him in the ankle.

“Please, try to relax. You’re only distressing yourself.” Dr. Cross walked up to Sinead. “I understand your concern for your mate, but it’s his decision to make. It’s his mind in turmoil.”

“You don’t understand. He’s not in turmoil when he’s with me.”

“That’s the problem. I’m not with you.”

Sinead twisted in the guard’s grip and saw a disheveled Talyn standing outside a door in the corridor. His eyes were half-shut and his shoulders slumped.

“Talyn! I knew you’d hear me.”

“I told Dr. Cross I didn’t want to see anybody. That includes you.” His words were slurred.

“I’m not leaving until we speak. They can arrest me if they like, but I’m not going without talking to you.”

Talyn sighed and ran a hand down his face, the movement slow and clumsy. “It’s fine. Let her go. We do need to talk.”

“Talyn, I advise against this,” Dr. Cross said. “You’ve had a lot of sedation. I’m surprised to see you awake.”

“That’s because you don’t know him,” Sinead said. “He can’t sleep.”

“I was trying,” Talyn said. He gestured her toward him. “We can speak in my room.”

Dr. Cross pinched his lips together but nodded. “I’ll be by in fifteen minutes. I must insist you rest. An expunge is a difficult procedure and takes its toll on your body. You’ll suffer more if you don’t rest beforehand.”

“Thanks, Doc. I’ll keep this short.” Talyn turned and stumbled back into the room.

The security guard released his hold on Sinead, and she hurried after Talyn, sliding the door shut behind her. She stared at him, his back to her and his arms hanging by his sides. She took a step forward, but he raised one hand as if to stop her.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“I’m here for you. Booby told me what you’re planning. I had to stop you.”

He turned slowly, and the sadness in his eyes made her heart ache. “There’s no point. I’ve made up my mind. I can’t live like this anymore. Things have to change.”

Sinead took a step closer, her heart racing and her mouth dry. “We’ll change them together. You can’t lose yourself because of this procedure.”

“It’s effective. I won’t feel any pain.” Talyn stumbled, and Sinead grabbed hold of his arm, guiding him to the comfortable looking bed in the corner of the room.

“Sit. I agree with the doctor that you need to rest.”

He winced and shrugged his arm out of her grip. “You don’t need to take care of me. I’m not your responsibility.”

“You are. I’ll admit you surprised the hell out of me when you told me we were joined. I wasn’t expecting that, and I freaked out. I’m fond of you. I hate to see you suffering, and I want to help.” She eased herself onto the edge of the bed, making sure not to touch Talyn. She’d seen the way he flinched away from her as if her touch offended him.

“You’re fond of me?” He chuckled quietly. “I’m fond of Lillip syrup wine, but that doesn’t mean it does me any good. It doesn’t mean I should drink it every day. Just because you’re fond of me, it doesn’t mean you have to do anything you don’t want to. I never meant to draw you into this. My world is a mess. You don’t deserve to be a part of it.”

Sinead looked at her clasped hands and bit her bottom lip. Everything felt different since she’d met Talyn. Her party nights no longer seemed fun, and the words her mom had drilled into her head didn’t seem valuable. In fact, they sounded ridiculous.