Page 36 of Slavic

“Theycan wait.Ihave spent a lifetime dreaming of waking up with my mate in my arms.Notthat this is the conversationIhad imagined all this time, butIseem to be enjoying reality more than the fantasy.”

“Sonow what?”

“Areyou against getting naked, so thatIcan explore that delectable little body of yours better?”

“Iwas thinking along the lines of going to see my sister.”

“So, that is a no on getting naked?Frack!”

Playfully,Ismack him on the arm he still has draped over me.Lookingout toward the stars that feel like they’re surrounding us,Isuddenly feeling incredibly small. “Yourworld is a lot different from mineSlavic, andI’mnot sure whereRowanorIare going to fit in it.”

“Youare always worrying about others,Ruby.Youneed to learn to put yourself first for a change.”

“I’mpretty sure that’s the pot calling the kettle black, mister ‘Iam the boss of everything’.Beingthe oldest, it’s just a roleIwas born into, same as you.Ifyou really think about it, we don’t know how to act any differently.”Whenthe watch beeps again,Ihit the button on top. “Canwe help you?”

“Uhh,Slavic?”Ican’t help but giggle at the pause whenBikarhears my voice instead of his brother’s.

“What?”

“Ohh, had me worried there for a moment, however,IbelieveIshould have expected that.”

“Whatdo you wantBikar, quit your rambling.”

Hehesitates to answer because ofSlavic’ssnarling. “Kallenwants to talk to all of us at once, butEinaris refusing to leave the med bay.”

“Thenwe will go to him.InformEinarto make room for us.Weneed a moment to freshen up before meeting you all there.”

“Gotit.”

Slavicdoesn’t move immediately and it’s like he’s preparing himself for something terrible. “Youcan use the refreshing chamber first,Ruby.Iam interested in seeing you in the new garmentsFalonwas able to acquire.”

“MaybeI’llmodel them for you later.”

“Don’ttease me, sassy one.”

Idecide not to poke the bear and get up while he’s still letting me.

Chapter Twenty-Three

RUBY

Onceagain,Ifind myself standing in front of the medical center doors, but they won’t open. “Einar, open the frackin door”,Slavicyells out after his palm print won’t open the door.

“Notright nowSlavic, whatever is so important can be relayed to me at a later date.”

“Rubywants to see her sister.Youcan either open the door and allow that, orIwill break it down and demand it.”

Thedoor opens slightly as he leans around it, looking through the crack, his face haggard.Whatin the world could my sister be doing to make a male likeEinarlook like this? “Rowanis not handling this well right now, andIam scared you will only set her back further.”

“Getout of the way,GreenGiant, and let me talk to her.”

Hehesitates for just a second before opening the door all the way.WhenIdon’t see her anywhere,I’minstantly worried. “Ok, where is she?”

Hepoints toward the furthest corner in the room and that’s whenIspot her, sitting on the floor.Herbody is curled up in a ball with her arms wrapped around her legs, her face hidden by a curtain of red hair where it’s buried against her knees.It’sas if she’s trying to make herself as small and unnoticeable as possible. “Shit, she used to do this when we were kids.Youtwo just hang out, this might take a minute.”

Pullingone of the blankets off the nearest bed,Imake my way over toRowan.Slidingdown the wall beside her so that she can feel my presence next to her,Ithrow the blanket over our heads, hiding us underneath its darkness.Hermouth is moving, repeating the same sounds.So,Iknow she’s silently chanting something over and over, but no matter how hardItry,Ican’t make out what she’s saying.Aftera few minutes, she starts to relax, slowly unwinding herself.Takinga deep breath,Imake my voice as gentle asIcan.

“Iknow you can hear meSis, soIwant you to listen.Weare safe right now.Haslife changed?Yeah.AmIscared?Some, just not as bad asIwas whenIwoke up.”

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