Page 98 of Savage Empire

“Yordan Todorov’s family?” a clipped voice asks.

I spin around, finding a man in a white coat waiting. He’s bald, older, and has cold brown eyes. Everything about him is stiff and distant, but in a professional manner. This must be one of Yordan’s doctors.

“Yes?” I answer first, beating everyone else to it. My throat feels tight and hot. “I’m his sister. How is he? Can I see him?”

“Your brother is going to be okay,” the doctor says, his softer words filling me with precious relief. “He’s recovering and taking in some fluids and pain medicine now. It could have been much worse. If Leon hadn’t gotten to him and controlled the bleeding in time, we’d be having a much harder conversation right now.”

“Leon?” I ask, head whipping to the side.

For the first time since arriving I see someone other than Apollo. I was so consumed with finding him, I ignored all other surroundings. Eyes scanning my friend, I note the blood staining his shirt, and the disheveled look of him.

“Acting quickly saved Yordan from a much more serious condition, maybe even saved his life. You can see—” the doctor continues, but I don’t hear another word.

“Oh my god,” I cry, rushing around Apollo and throwing myself against Leon without another thought. Our bodies crash together in a fumble, my shoulders shaking uncontrollably as hot tears stream down my face. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou.”

His hands fall against my back and he shushes me softly. “Hey, hey, it’s okay. He’s going to be fine now.”

“B-because of you,” I stammer, squeezing him hard. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”

Leon nods, seemingly understanding my gratitude. I’m sure he’d feel the same way if someone helped to save one of his brothers—or one of his sons. “Go see him now, Rayna,” he tells me softly. “He’ll want to know that you know he’s okay.”

Sniffing back overwhelming emotions, I push away from Leon to wipe my face. From the corner of my eye, I see Cassio and Ana hugging off to the side, Ana looking shaken up. She must feel awful, having her wholesome event flipped on its head, ending in bloodshed.

Turning back to the doctor, I find Apollo watching me with dark, severe eyes. I don’t have time to analyze his appearance or whatever irrational thing he’s feeling at the moment. My only concern is my brother.

I follow the man in the white coat blindly, hands feeling clammy and numb. After a short, dizzying walk, I’m led into a small hospital room where I finally lay eyes on mymilichko. His hair is wet and tousled and his face pale. He’s shirtless, his front covered with large white bandaging that’s clearly wrapped around from the back.

“Why the long face?” Yordan asks, his voice a raspy whisper. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost, sister.”

My lips wobble, and I cross the room in determined steps. My face is still wet, and I’m not sure that I can prevent more tears from falling. I try to hold them back anyway, taking a seat on the side of his hospital bed.

“Rayna,” he says softly, seeing my blotchy face.

“I was so worried,” I croak, pushing back his hair to get a good look at his face. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I was shot in the kidney,” he replies, a weak smile lifting his lips. “Ten out of ten, would not recommend.”

When I don’t laugh, he frowns.

“Did I lose my super humor powers? Were they stored in my kidney? What a fucking bummer.” He fakes a groan, smirking after the sound. “Come on, Rayna, smile for me.”

“I don’t feel very smiley right now,milichko.” I exhale through my nose, leaning forward to press a kiss to the top of hishead. “Yesterday we were celebrating your birthday, and today you’re lying in a hospital bed.”

“What a wild turn of events, huh?” He chuckles, wincing from pain after.

“I don’t know how you can be in high spirits,” I confess, frowning. “The doctor said you were lucky. This could have been so much worse.”

“I know,” he replies seriously. “They told me Leon kept me alive. I think I remember him talking to me on the way here. It’s a bit of a blur, though. It felt really fast.”

“Yes, Leon helped you,” I confirm. “Something I’ll never stop being grateful for.”

“Same,” he admits, eyes looking a little heavy.

“How am I ever going to let you out of my sight again?” I ask, chin wobbling slightly.

“Ugh,” Yordan groans. “You and Apollo are both going to be insufferably overbearing now, aren’t you?”

My lips flatten into a firm line. “Count on it.”