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“Are you free? I figure after your meeting with the Conclave you could probably use a few drinks.”

He turned to see Merus waving a bottle of vocatus.

“I won’t be very good company, Sobrus,” he admitted.

The smile dropped off his brother’s face. “That bad, eh?” Merus walked over to the table and poured two glasses. “So, what did the Conclave do now?”

“No. This isn’t their fault.” He grabbed the drink and threw it back in one gulp.

“What’s going on? I haven’t seen you like this…” Merus paused and frowned. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this.”

“I can’t talk about it. Certainly not here.” He gestured to the Sanctuary.

“Then we should go somewhere that has a lot more of this.” Merus tapped the bottle of vocatus.

“I don’t think any place in the city has that much alcohol.” He rubbed a hand over his face.

“Laudo it is then,” Merus announced, then wrapped an arm around him and marched him out of the suite.

“Aculus, Merus,” Payim greeted them in the corridor.

He nodded to the red-skinned male.

“Come with us,” Merus insisted, snagging Payim’s arm.

“All right,” Payim chuckled at Merus’ enthusiasm. “I’ll contact Scala and tell him to meet us.”

“Maybe you three should go. I’m not going to be any fun,” he encouraged them.

“No. We’re going, because you need to get out of here,” Merus insisted, his grip tightening around him.

He really didn’t have the energy to argue. On their way through the Sanctuary they were stopped by the Conclave.

“Ah, Aculus, we were coming to see you. We’d like to discuss the Trials over evening meal,” Axilla informed him.

This was the last thing he needed.

“That will have to wait. We’re heading out for the evening.” Merus pulled him and Payim along.

“We can’t keep putting this off,” Axilla huffed.

“And what about your human guest? Do you plan to leave her alone?” Bregma asked.

“I can’t deal with this. Nadzia is at the clinic,” he growled, his temper getting the best of him.

“It can and will wait,” Merus snapped, glaring at the Conclave.

“Thanks,” he mumbled to Merus as they left the Sanctuary.

Nadzia

Stars emerged one by one, twinkling in the darkening sky. Some looked so close she could almost reach out the window and capture them. She smiled, recalling running through the yard at dusk scooping up fireflies with a butterfly net. The happy squeals of her sisters, and hearty chuckle of their father were so clear, she glanced back at the hospital room expecting them to be there. Things were as different then as the constellations in this sky were from the ones back home.

“Oh, sweetheart, why didn’t you wake me?” her mom asked as she roused.

“I figured you needed the sleep,” she replied, turning away from the window.

“It’s good you are here. I’ve been thinking.” Carol paused and studied her tear-streaked face, then frowned.