Page 9 of Martyr
Talking is therapeutic. Some might say thattalk therapyworks. But those people probably wouldn’t say that if they knew I was talking to an unconscious girl.
Sometimes I lean forward and take her hand, squeezing her warm fingers, just so she knows she’s not alone. In case the hearing thing isn’t working, and the reflexes are just… in her brain. I don’t know. I’m not a doctor, I’m just winging it.
They keep her room kind of dark. There’s a warm, dim light on behind her head, and they never draw the window shades. I saw a note on her chart about it. That the view must remain unobstructed at all times.
Since Lyssa was not awake when she arrived here, it’s probably a wish from a family member.
So who was it? Gabriel or Kade?
Right now, the view is mostly black. There’s the glow of lights through windows in other parts of the building, and spotlights on sensors that flick on for unknown reasons. The wind moving the trees closest, animals, a wandering resident.
My attention slides away from the window, back to Lyssa.
I fill her in on Saint’s asshole behavior, both on the dock and then afterward. I wrap my arms around myself and try to forget the lingering, bone-deep chill. I half remember Saint rushing from the dock back to the center, winding through the trees.
“…but what I’m really curious about is what’s happening in Sterling Falls.” I sigh. “There was a bad guy, Ouranos, who apparently took over with his gang. They’re called the Cyclopes, which is kind of funny because they’re known for being very single-minded. The monsters in mythology, obviously. And you know who else is a Cyclops?”
I shouldn’t tell her.
“Your brother, Kade.” I grimace. “I don’t know your relationship with him, to be honest. He mentioned you in passing… said something about medical bills. I think he was downplaying it. And, little did I know, he meanthere. But the other person is someone you’re more familiar with.”
My stomach flip-flops.
Do I tell her?
It’s too late, now. I’ve dangled it in front of her. It would be positively cruel to keep it from her, especially since she can’t sit up and beg me to tell her.
“Gabriel,” I breathe. “He’s gone mad in your absence, Lyssa.”
This is so fucked up. I’m talking to an unconscious girl. And, in my mind, she’s taken the role of best friend.
“Honestly, I’m not really sure what to do here. Finding you seems like impossibly good luck on my end. Keeping you out of Kade’s or Gabriel’s reach would certainly suit my interests. And maybe yours, as well.” I glance around at her room. Gabriel wouldn’t keep her asleep, would he? He was wrecked… but he’s demonstrated the ability to do the same. To me. To Reese. How far would he go to keep his reality intact?
“Where would I put you?” I muse. “I don’t have the means to care for you. I tried. Years ago. I don’t know if you remember that. Things were more… tumultuous back then. Everything was uncertain.”
I did try. And, in the end, I fucking failed.
I lean over Lyssa. “Wake up, please. If you’re there in the darkness, I’m here waiting for you. I promise, this world is a lot different than the one you left.”
I squeeze her hand.
And she squeezes back.
4KADE
Reese walks toward me,and I allow my gaze to roam his body. Not in a sexual way, but in a concerned way. He’s been holed up in Sterling Falls, coasting under my radar, for far too long. The sheriff has been most unhelpful locating him. Antonio Greco and his family have also gone underground, leaving no one.
No Olympians, no Artemis, no Hell Hounds encroaching where they don’t belong. No promised final stand.
It’s left the door open for Ouranos to move in.
The city isn’t any worse for the wear. Not yet. But West Falls residents now pay aprotectionfee. There are blockades everywhere, at the entrances to the neighborhood, interspersed throughout, and it seems like Ouranos only wants to push farther east.
Slowly.
Creeping.
Like a black fog, he’s crawling toward a total takeover.
