Page 58 of Bound By Thorns

Dr. Mendoza leaned back, writing something in her notes before meeting my gaze again. “With everything you’ve shared today, and based on the progress you’ve made, I’m clearing you for active duty.”

The room seemed to go still for a moment, her words sinking in. “What?”

“You’re ready,” she said simply. “It’s time for you to move forward.”

Shock rippled through me, followed by a wave of tentative relief. I nodded slowly, the corners of my lips tugging upward into the faintest smile.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

“You’ve earned it,” Dr. Mendoza replied, her voice steady and reassuring.

And for the first time in a long while, I felt like I was finally stepping back into who I was meant to be.

???

I had been steering clear of Logan for the past few weeks. After getting cleared to drink alcohol again, dinners had become slightly more tolerable. As usual, everyone was gathered around the table, discussing the peculiar silence from Garret’s operations—as if they had just evaporated.

“Derek Cramer,” Zane mentioned casually, his glass in hand. “Someone named Noel helped him escape a few months back from a high-security cell.”

Logan frowned, “How do you know all of this?”

Zane looked to Sebastian for support, who promptly jumped in, “After Ravenrock Hall was emptied, we found residual information still left around the mansion.”

Logan nodded solemnly.

Zarek chimed in, “So what does that mean now? Can we find this Derek? Could he know anything about where Garret could be?”

“I was told that the cell on basement level one, the high security cell, was kept for conversion. They must be attempting to turn Derek. Making him a mole for whatever organization he worked for.” I added.

Logan gave me a look that mixed surprise with a hint of pride. It was the first time I had openly contributed to the strategic discussion here.

Sebastian said firmly, “Then it’s settled. We should make contact with him. He must knowsomething.”

The team nodded in agreement and resumed eating.

Clearing my throat, I announced, “I’ve been cleared for active duty,” managing a smile as I did so.

Delara’s grin widened, “Bloody hell! That’s fantastic, Kay.”

A few supportive taps on the shoulder followed. Emboldened, I looked directly at Zarek, “Can I join the mission to meet Derek?”

After a brief pause, Zarek nodded, smiling. My gaze inadvertently flicked to Logan, who seemed to be glaring at Zarek. His expression was hard to decipher. Was he upset because I had been cleared for duty and he hadn’t?

Logan

“What if she gets hurt?” I blurted out as we lingered in the lounge, the others having trickled out until it was just Zarek, Leora, and me.

“We all get hurt on active duty, Logan. Kaylan knows the risks,” Leora responded with a sigh, her patience wearing thin.

I shook my head, frustration mounting. “It’s not the same. She’s just… not ready.”

Zarek looked at me with a raised eyebrow. “Dr. Mendoza cleared her, and I trust her judgment.”

I dropped my head into my hands, feeling overwhelmed. The thought of Kaylan out there, vulnerable and possibly getting hurt, tightened the knot in my chest painfully.

What is this?

“Do you want to tell him, or shall I?” Zarek quipped, turning to Leora.

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