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He jerked awake what felt like seconds later, swinging his legs off the side as the dome retracted. A sweep of his gaze across the room showed no Wren.

“I am sorry for your loss,” the medic said.

This snapped Cylo’s focus to the male. “For?”

“Your Dar Eth.” The male bowed his head, then tapped the med-E.D.’s console. “Your void is voracious, devouring every ounce of joy and light left in your soul. It will not be long now. Perhaps on the proving grounds you may find a worthy death.”

Cylo growled, “Forward these findings to Medic Ariez.”

“I will do so, but I cannot guarantee that he will read them. He is tasked with an unusual patient.”

Cylo tried not to stiffen, to reveal his interest. “Oh?”

“I do not know who she is, but he visits her every morning.”

“My thanks for the assessment,” Cylo said, keeping his tone cold while fire burned in his belly.

Morning? He’d thought too many males came and went for— He gritted his teeth. Fool . Ariez used the crowds to mask his comings and goings. Before he ‘strolled’ off, Cylo glanced over his shoulder at the young medic. “Tell me, which entrance does he use? I do not wish to run into his cheery self.”

The male smiled. “Not to worry. He takes the path behind the building.”

Cylo made it outside before he sprinted to the rear of medical, diving over bushes, around trees, across the gravel path to throw himself behind a hedge of anahla flowers.

West of this location was Xeus’s court and the Pools of Crustiiu.

He swallowed a curse, castigating himself for not asking the male in which direction Ariez headed.

Excitement had tangled his tongue at finally learning something he could work with; he hadn’t wanted to chance raising the medic’s suspicions.

One word from him would put Ariez on the defensive.

East were the markets, individual quarters, and the tidal pool.

Beyond Xeus’s court was the canteen, a new building he didn’t know the purpose of, and the proving grounds.

If he had to hide someone, east was more logical.

The magnus sun climbed and set, with no sign of Ariez.

Cylo had long sought shelter from the heat within the shadows of the hedge.

A male squatting for hours would draw attention, so he hid himself, twisting his body to do so.

With his gaze fixed on the door, he swirled each foot to keep the blood flowing.

At any moment, he might need to move, and a numb limb wouldn’t help.

He blinked when Ariez walked through the door, disappearing inside.

Cylo froze, swinging his gaze west. He scrambled up, mangling the bushes in the process.

Anahla scattered their petals in protest. The sweet scent encouraged him to draw in a deep inhale.

Grinning, he took the path toward the proving grounds.

He peered ahead, trying to assess where Wren could be hidden.

The path split to the right, disappearing into the caves with the heated pools of Crustiiu.

He hesitated. Having bathed here once or twice, he couldn’t recall if the caves extended beyond the common areas.

The suns were setting, and he had until tomorrow morning to investigate. If he found nothing, he’d trail Ariez. But impatience made his fingers twitch. He refused to endure another sleepless night without her.

Steam rose like ghostly fingers. The damp heat dewed his skin with sweat.

Lighting mimicked flickering torchlight, adding warmth to the dark gray interior.

In the natural pools, the colorless water bubbled.

The carnivorous omeika’s existence tainted their oceans red.

No color meant it was safe to bathe. Yet, no bathers were in sight.

No muted conversations teased his ears. Through cavern after cavern, he moved, taking moments to confirm any private pools weren’t in use. He reached the final pool. Nothing.

He swiveled on a boot heel to head back when a stray breeze cooled his brow. How unusual. Excitement sparked, and the Ethera leapt to life. He grinned. She was near. But where? A hidden door, perhaps? He raised his nose to sniff, picking up the salty tang of the ocean and the aroma of…coffee?

A giggle from behind him had disappointment slumping his shoulders.

He couldn’t search now, not without someone noting his presence.

But he could wait here… He stripped, tossing off his armor and kicking his boots aside.

An extended soak would do well to mask his intentions while he studied every nook.

He hissed at the heat but sank into its depths anyway. Sprawling his arms along the rocky edge, he sniffed the air before shifting to another spot. Once he’d determined from where the breeze came, he crossed to the opposite side to study the wall.

The couple turned amorous, so he lowered his hearing.

When they didn’t intrude, he climbed out of the pool to run his hands over the rock, from the entrance to the corner where the scents were the strongest. And yet, there was no entrance.

No secret doorway. He glanced at the hole in the cave’s ceiling.

The suns had set, and the night had progressed during his distraction.

Grabbing a wrap, he yanked it on and waited a second for it to activate and conform to his body.

He stood in place and assessed whether he could reach.

As low as the ceiling was, he wouldn’t be able to touch it…

unless… He hurried to the corner and ran, using a well-placed foot on the wall to leap and catch the edges of the gap.

Hanging by one hand, he glanced down and grinned.

Alodon’s balls, now that was fun. He pulled himself through, ignoring the cool air drying the hot droplets on his legs.

Donning his uniform might have been wise. He shrugged and faced north, following his nose.