Page 62 of The Stone Initiation
Because one slip could doom us both.
CHAPTER27
CAMERON
The infirmary was empty. Hardly surprising, because gargoyles rarely got hurt and if they did, they healed quick. This room was for the odd emergency, but with me here now, it might get some use.
The female gargoyle tending to me seemed excited about having something to do. She cleaned the blood off my face, prodded the side of my head for a while, then shone a light into my eyes before standing back with a sigh.
She was petite for a goyle with silken dark waves and almond eyes, and either the air in the room was laced with a tranquilizer or she was exuding calming vibes.
She smiled and set the penlight down. “You’ll be fine. You most likely had a brain bleed, but your gargoyle nature fixed it. If you were pure human, you’d be dead.” She pressed her lips together. “Are yousureyou want to be here, Cameron?”
“Yes. I’m sure.”
“It’s not going to get any easier,” Sharniza said her voice low. “You’re going to get hurt. A lot.”
I wasn’t afraid of getting hurt. Not a fan of it. But not afraid. “I can handle it.” I frowned up at her. “Do you want me to go?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’d like you to live.”
“Aw, Shar, I knew you loved me.”
She snorted. “Shut up.”
The medic goyle clasped her hands together. “I do love it when the cadets make friends. Too many come here with the wrong attitude, like it’s each to their own and we must all be in competition, but you can’t win a war without unity. You can’t have your fellow warrior’s back effectively if you don’t care about them.”
“Easy for you to say,” Sharniza said, her tone bitter. “You’re not the one who has to fight. You get to sit in a cozy den and knit booties for your babies.”
The medic stared at Sharniza, stunned for a moment before her shoulders dropped and a small smile lifted her lips. “Being an omega comes with its own challenges. Yes, we do get to stay cozy in our dens, but we’re also responsible for ensuring our race survives. That the next generation of gargoyles are strong enough to continue the fight against the gray forces. It’s no small responsibility.”
Sharniza looked sheepish. “I didn’t mean to offend.”
“You didn’t. We have our roles and our place, but you,” she looked at me, “this isn’t the place for you. However, if you plan on staying then I better stock up on supplies.” Her eyes twinkled.
“Um…thanks?”
“Is she okay to go now?” Sharniza asked.
“Yes. You should be all healed up by tomorrow afternoon. Take it easy until then.”
I swung my legs off the infirmary bed and made to stand.
“Oh, and feel free to come visit the den anytime. Just ask for Chlobe at the front desk and they’ll ring me.” Her eyes lit up with an idea. “In fact, you should join us for our monthly trip into Asteria. Next weekend. Sunday.”
Asteria was one of the larger settlements filled with places to shop and known for export and trade. I needed some stuff. New clothes and the likes.
“Sure. That’ll be great.”
“Great, I’ll add you to the warp roster and send you the details.”
“We need to get to class,” Sharniza said flatly.
I looked up at her stony expression then back to Chlobe. “Can I bring a friend?”
I caught the edge of panic in her eyes before she staunched it and smiled. “If you like.”
“Shar? Wanna come shopping?” I nudged her with my elbow meeting unrelenting muscle.
