Page 51 of Shadow

“We will escort you to the cafeteria,” one of them finally replied.

Well, at least that question warranted an answer. I rubbed my hands together in mock enthusiasm. “Oh, goodie. A new room to explore.” I didn’t mention my desperate need for coffee and aspirin. I’d save that for the kitchen staff, if they existed. Predictably, the guards ignored both my words and my hangover-induced snark.

I followed them through yet another labyrinth of hallways. Every time I thought I had grasped even a basic understanding of this building’s layout, I was taken in a new direction, further confirming that the place was a damn maze. When we turned the final corner, it opened into a massive cafeteria.

About twenty Warriors in human form sat at a long table, eating in companionable silence. I knew they were Warriors due to their size and unimaginative wardrobe of leather chest straps. It was the most I had seen together since arriving. Two men sat at a smaller table in the corner, their curious eyes following me briefly before their gazes moved on without a word. The mingled smells of food were almost overwhelming for my still-fragile stomach, but then the faint aroma of bacon reached my nose, and the world felt a little steadier.

No. Coffee first.

I made a beeline for a large pot and poured a cup to the brim. Before the war, I would have indulged in an almond milk latte drowned in flavored syrup and sugar. Now, black coffee was my go-to, a small but necessary survival mechanism I had picked up at the Federation compound where luxuries like cream and sugar were distant memories.

The first sip of bitter liquid felt like salvation.

As I savored the caffeine infusion, I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. A slightly familiar figure approached. It took a moment, because the pool area had been so dark, but I finally recognized him as the doctor who had treated me my first night here. His gait was relaxed, his expression approachable, and he was dressed more casually than the others, with his chest covered by a yellow T-shirt with a cheesy slogan. He did wear standard Shadow Warrior pants, but no leather chest straps in sight.

Where most of the Warriors carried an air of intimidation, “Warrior eyes” and rigid, no-nonsense jaws, the doctor’s demeanor was softer, his jaw accustomed to smiling. Yet nothing about his muscular frame suggested he was any less capable than the others. If anything, his perceived kindness made him more disarming, which was probably just as dangerous.

He headed straight for me, a friendly look on his face.

Here we go.

“Axel,” he said, extending a large hand. “You look tired.”

I shook his hand, skipping introductions since he obviously knew who I was. “Exactly what every woman wants to hear after she’s worked really hard to look her best,” I replied with a sarcastic edge. His expression shifted to stricken, and I actually laughed, though it hurt my head. “Relax, you’re fine. It’s called a hangover, and I’m definitely not proud.”

“I’ll take a guess. Good Cuban rum?”

“Change ‘good’ to ‘disgusting,’ and you’re spot on.”

“Disgusting going down or coming up?” A smile replaced his earlier concern.

“Oh, it was fantastic going down,” I admitted, laughing despite myself. “But I don’t mean to be rude. I’m still a littleunsteady on my feet. I need to sit down before gravity gets the best of me and I embarrass myself.”

He gestured toward the impressive chow line with a nod. “Take a seat. I’ll make you a plate.”

I glanced toward the food, and my stomach lurched slightly. “Just bacon. Mounds of bacon, nothing else.”

I made my way to the small table recently vacated by the two Warriors and sank into a chair. My first long sip of hot coffee felt like a lifeline, even though it burned my tongue. By the second sip, my stomach started to settle. If it weren’t for the pounding headache, I might have even passed as functional.

A plate landed in front of me, and Axel took the chair across from mine. I looked down at the heaping pile of food, easily a pound of bacon and just as much fruit. “You don’t follow directions well,” I said, eyeing the plate. Despite my comment, I wasn’t really complaining. The fruit looked amazing, a rarity in my diet.

I started with the bacon, and as I chewed, my thoughts drifted inevitably back to my vegetarian days. This should have revolted me, but it only made me hungry for more. I should at least feel guilt, but hunger and the looming threat of starvation had a funny way of changing my perspective. Or at least that’s what I tried to pawn it off on. The years of tasteless gruel didn’t help either.

The doctor pulled me from my thoughts. “You seem to have survived our unique sauna room without too much damage.”

I glanced up from my plate. “Thanks for helping me. At least someone around here understands hospitality.”

His grin widened. “I see why you’ve managed to stir up so much trouble.”

I didn’t touch that one with a ten-foot pole. Instead, I grunted and silently thanked King for sharing his rendition of anon-answer, and myself for perfecting it. “The hospitality here will be legendary. After nearly killing me, I’ve got my own room, complete with guards.” I nodded toward the doorway where the guards stood, waiting patiently for me to finish eating. “Now, if I could just get some reading material, I might upgrade this place to two stars.”

His pleasant laughter actually soothed my headache a bit. “Reading material I can help with. And I might have something for the headache you’re probably nursing.”

I finished chewing a piece of bacon before flashing him a grin. “You’re officially my new best friend.”

His smile grew, and I knew for sure it was just who he was. “I’d like that,” he said warmly. “Now eat and drink your coffee. Then we can address your other problems.”

“Other problems?”

---