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“Good.” He smiled back at the matron.

“Since we’re on the subject, we’ve begun the arrangements for a new Trial,” Axilla interjected.

He’d already promised he wouldn’t argue but the matron was making it hard.

“I could tell you that’s not necessary, but since you won’t listen, can you at least wait until I’ve had time to get settled?” he requested, though it probably fell on deaf ears.

“Still you evade your duty,” Tellar sighed with disappointment.

And still you don’t understand I’m more than my birthright.

Eleven

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Nadzia

“Will this be comfortable enough?” Cartil asked her mother as he tested the cot that was brought into the futuristic surgical suite.

“It’s great.” Carol nodded.

“Are you sure? They said there are rooms right here in the hospital.” Nadzia frowned. The cot wasn’t nearly big enough and it was obvious the room wasn’t meant to accommodate more than the patient.

“There’s a bed and a washroom nearby. I think it’s great.” Carol looked toward Brennan and nodded.

Her father had already been shifted to another capsule that looked like a larger version of the last one. The only difference she could see was that he was now floating in some viscous liquid which apparently wasn’t a liquid at all but some sort of organism that would heal him.

She should’ve known her mother would want to stay as close to her father as possible. It was totally understandable and she’d go along with whatever her mom wanted. But she still worried if her mom would be comfortable enough.

“Well, Mom, it sounds like you got it all figured out.” She turned to Cartil. “Do you know where or how we can get a bite to eat around here?”

“That has been arranged,” Aculus said as he walked into the room.

She smiled at him. “That was a quick tour.”

“I snuck away from the Conclave to come check on you. One of the Conclave’s guards will bring credentials for you, Carol. It will act as identification and allow you to acquire anything you desire from the shops and cafes here in the clinic or the surrounding city. There’ll be one for you as well, Nadzia.”

“Thank you, truly,” Carol said, tears threatening to spill from her eyes as she hugged Aculus.

“Thank you,” she mouthed to the big sweet man as he hugged her mom.

We made it. Dad’s going to be okay.For the first time since this all began, she truly believed that. She smiled at Aculus, her eyes blurring as the oppressive weight she’d been living under lifted. There was no way any of this could’ve happened without him.

“Okay. Now remember what we discussed,” Carol said as she let Aculus go.

“I do. If you feel settled, we’ll be leaving soon.” Aculus nodded.

Her brow furrowed at their curious conversation, but she shook it off, suddenly anxious now that Aculus was leaving.

“I’m good.” Her mom patted his arm.

“The guard staying here will know how to reach me at the Sanctuary,” Aculus assured them.

“And I will be here regularly,” Cartil added.

“I think we’ll be fine.” Nadzia smiled, hoping Aculus understood just how much she appreciated what he’d done for her family.

Aculus placed his hand on her back. “Let’s go rescue the medics from the Conclave.”