Revived (The Lucidites Book 3) (33 page)

“What?” I sit up, feeling sideswiped, and seize his forearm. “Is Trey making you do this?”

He shakes his head, confused. “No.” He eyes my hand on his arm, but I don’t pull it away. “This is my choice. Why would he make me leave?”

“When we were together…” I say, the words catching in my mouth sharply.

“Yes?” he encourages.

“He’s just protective of me. Doesn’t want me to get distracted.”

“Oh.” George nods, digesting the idea easier than I would have liked. “Well, no, this is about something I’ve been thinking about for a while. I’m going to pursue a degree in psychology at Dartmouth. For some reason I think I’ll make a good therapist.”

“Oh,” I say, disappointment crashing around like a bumper car inside my body. “Yeah, you’d make a stellar therapist.” I realize my hand is still resting on his warm forearm. I slip it away but he seizes it before I’ve retreated too far.

“I’ve had my doubts, but I feel like this is the right thing to do,” he says, both of his hands holding mine, stroking my knuckles.

“How could you get into Dartmouth on such short notice? Don’t you have to apply and go through certain processes for that kind of thing?”

George releases a smile. “You should know that your father is a well-connected man. He can make things happen.”

“Yeah, he made a lot of things
happen
in my life.” Resentment saddling in my tone.

“It’s not like I’m ever really gone. I’m only a dream travel away.”

“I’ve been forbidden from dream traveling,” I say sullenly, pulling my hand free. Sitting all the way up I cross my legs under me, careful with my injured calf. We’re closer now.

The idea of the Institute without George in it feels wrong. He may not be mine
anymore, but he’s still like an important fuse inside me. “Is there something I can do to make you stay?”

He rubs his lips together, an undeniable hope in his eyes.

Tell him you love him
, my brain beseeches.
Make him stay.
My lips part. Mouth hangs open until my tongue is parched. “George…I…” I finally force out.

Earnest desire rings from his eyes.

“I don’t want you to leave,” I say in a rush. “I know we’re not together, but I still need you in my life. And that’s the most selfish thing I’ve ever said, but after everything I just don’t want to lose you. Your presence brings me such comfort.”

“Roya, I know you’re experiencing a lot of heightened emotions right now. More than anything in the world I want to be the one to help you through them. But I’m going to be selfish too because if I comfort you, then in the end I’ll break my own heart with possibilities that will never be fulfilled.”

“So there’s no way to change your mind?”

“Is there any way to change your heart?”

“Maybe…with time.”

“I’ll be here until Tuesday,” he says.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

S
leep was not a companion to me during my stint in the infirmary. When my eyes closed Allouette’s face swam into my mind. Dozens of times her sharp cackle ripped through my head as I slipped into dreams. And the few times I successfully slept, I killed Allouette over and over again. The therapist, an older man with wiry gray hair and droopy eyelids, urged me not to run from the dreams or make them go away. But I couldn’t take the experience of feeling the knife in my hand plunge through her flesh and veins and bone and brain. So I didn’t sleep.

My room greets me oddly. It looks exactly the way it always does, with books neatly stacked in various places and the peacock headdress Bob and Steve gave me hanging unceremoniously from the lamp on the desk. The bedcovers have been changed, leaving no reminders of my blood that stained the sheets during the battle with Allouette. Somehow it feels like the room has been washed clean of that night and all its trauma. My eyes find the tablet of Bes leaning against the wall beside my bed.

“I’ve missed you, old friend,” I say to the empty room, eyes on the Egyptian god. “You’re what was absent in the infirmary.”

Sliding down on my bed, I’m suddenly sucked into the warmth that only a familiar space can provide. Somehow this room has taken on an energy. My energy. And now, feeling the comparison between it and the infirmary I can definitively say this space has a quality of home to it. Sleep, a welcomed friend, so soft and gentle, slips down on my consciousness. There are promises, as I visualize my green hill, that the dreams to come will be as mundane as sweeping a clean floor. My deprived body is instantly drawn in by the presence of sleep, yielding to its healing forces. This experience of sleep is almost melodious, lightly carrying me off like the notes of a breeze through the trees.

Knock…Knock. Knock. Knock.

“No,” I groan into my pillow.

Knock…Knock. Knock. Knock.

My calf doesn’t appreciate the roll I do to get out of bed. It will have to get over it. Sluggish as a manatee I drag myself to the door and miss the button twice before finally slamming my flat palm against it. “What!?” I growl.

The chipper look on Patrick’s face slides into one of disappointment. “Well, excuse me for living. Just thought you’d like your package, Sassy.” He pushes a small box into my hands, his mustache twitching slightly.

“I’m sorry, Patrick. I was just trying––”

“Don’t sweat it, sweetheart.” He tips his hat at me. “You’re allowed one or two of those.” He turns and whistles as he trots off.

Too tired to enjoy whatever thoughtful gift Bob and Steve have sent, I toss it on the bed and roll back onto my sheets. It takes only seconds for sleep to crash down on me, this time not gently, but more like a tsunami, quick and inescapable.

An hour and half later I’m roused by a sharp corner in my back. I roll over to find I’m lying on the small box. Although I probably could use more sleep, I’m half grateful to be awoken. It’s time I made an appearance in the main hall for dinner, since I suspect Joseph will be waiting to see me. And I hope George, since he leaves tomorrow. Groggily, I shake my hand, which is tingling with numbness since I spent most of my nap lying on it.

Feeling forty-six percent better than I did a couple of hours ago I pull the small package Patrick had given me on to my lap. The apple-sized box piques my curiosity due to its tininess. Bob and Steve usually send huge boxes which contain dozens of wonderful gifts. There’s only a small rustle when I shake the box next to my head. Pulling back the folds of the box I find a single piece of paper:

Dear Roya,

Since you can’t come to us, we decided to come to you. Surprise!

Love,

Bob and Steve

About a minute.
That’s how long I stare at the piece of paper completely bewildered. Apparently I need more sleep. I read their note again, doubting my comprehension skills. On the third time through something clicks in my fuzzy brain. “Oh!” I squeal, jumping up too fast from my bed. Again my stupid calf complains. Again I ignore it and sprint for the entrance, sliding to a halt and slapping the button. When my door slides back the best surprise I could have hoped for is waiting for me. The faces of these two men can’t be a more welcome sight. Bob and Steve in the flesh. How long has it been? Since before I’d come to the Institute. Too long.

“Oh my God!” I shriek. “I’m so sorry! You’ve been out here waiting this whole time!” I throw my arms around each of their shoulders, pulling them in for a double hug. “I’m such an idiot. I’m so sorry. I fell asleep.”

Steve’s chest vibrates with a chuckle. He’s smiling from one end of his face to the other when he pulls away, shaking his head. “From the sound of it, you really needed to sleep.”

“Don’t worry, honey.” Bob squeezes my arm gently and then grimaces. He eyes the bandages nervously. “I’m so sorry. Did I hurt you?”

“No, they don’t hurt really anymore. Mae’s a fantastic healer. She said she kept the bandages on to remind me to take it easy.” My voice is overflowing with a giddy excitement. “The one on my calf is being pretty stubborn though, but Mae says that’s to be expected when a large muscle is severed so deeply. You want to see it?” I joke.

“Maybe after we’ve eaten,” Bob says through a laugh that makes his face turn red.

“So you’re dealing with everything all right?” Steve says, his voice turning the conversation serious suddenly.

The show of a fake smile on my face tells more than my words. I try to make it sincere, but I know it’s laced with the trauma I can’t escape. “Yeah. Each day I feel better.”

“Oh, Roya,” Bob says, wrapping arms around me that I’ve only felt while dream traveling. They’re softer in the physical realm, even more welcoming. “No one should have to bear all that you have, but if anyone can, it’s you.” He pulls back, holding each of my arms, a tender ache in his eyes. “I hope you don’t mind, we’ve taken to calling you ‘Ms. Astonishing.’”

And just like that I become a victim to my emotions when a single tear escapes and rolls down my cheek. “I don’t mind,” I say in a croaky voice.

“We’ve had the opportunity to meet some of your friends while we waited,” Steve says, the sudden tenderness of the moment obviously making him uncomfortable.

“Who’d you chat up?” I say, pushing the tear away, hoping it won’t be followed by more.

“George,” Steve says. “He’s an awfully nice gentleman.”

“Yes, he’s the nicest.”

Bob eyes me. “Things not rosy between you two anymore?”

“Oh, how do you do that?” I say.

“This time I can’t take credit for any intuition,” Bob says. “Your face just went pale at the mention of his name.”

“Well, it’s because he broke my heart for breaking his and now he’s leaving,” I say, trying not to sound overly pathetic. “It’s for the best and I get that, but I just don’t want to deal with one more thing right now.”

The two exchange uncomfortable glances. “I’m sorry. I’m a little melodramatic at the moment,” I say with a sigh.

“No apologies necessary. I think we,” Bob says, motioning between him and Steve, “just feel a little helpless and that’s a difficult place to be when it involves you.”

“You didn’t by chance meet a smooth-talking guy with blond hair and green eyes while you were waiting?” I ask, steering the conversation in a more positive and less tear-provoking direction.

“We did not,” Bob says. “Are you referring to Joseph?”

“I am and I would be honored to introduce you to him.” Excitement coasts through me at the idea that I get to introduce my favorite people to each other. I pull them down the hallway, headed to the main hall. “Hey, you had to go through the GAD-C when you entered the Institute, right?”

“Yes,” Steve confirms.

“Which white coat was attending?” I ask.

“Hmmm.” Bob looks off, thinking. “I think his name was James.”

“Oh,” I say, a little deflated. “Yeah, James is cool.”

The main hall is mostly empty when we arrive. It’s still a bit early, but I know that before too long white coats and other Institute staff members will scamper between the various buffet tables filling their plates with roasted meats, steamed vegetables, and one of the potential starch offerings. I point to our usual table and the three of us take some seats.

It’s almost surreal to have Bob and Steve here with me and it makes me realize how quickly and slowly the last three months of my life have felt. Truly it has been the longest three months of my life, and that’s mostly because never before have I done, learned, or experienced so much in so little time. Now I know that this is the life of a Lucidite. When you have the option of spending your nights traveling the globe and history then it does seem as though a week is a month and a month is a year and I can only imagine how a year will feel like a decade. If I make it past Zhuang’s attack, then I have potentially centuries to spend evolving as a Lucidite, as a person.

“There’s something I want to tell you about Joseph before you meet him,” I whisper, although there are only a few people in the main hall.

Bob and Steve both incline their head in my direction. “You see, he’s keeping a secret and I wouldn’t usually tell anyone about it, but you guys are different. I actually think maybe you can offer some of your incredible advice on the subject. Joseph is––”

“Coming our way right now,” Bob says, pointing over my shoulder.

I turn my head to find my brother walking in with a crowd of about half a dozen other people. A sentimental smile I don’t usually grace him with breaks out on my face. Must be having Bob and Steve here that inspired it. He abandons his place in line as soon as he sees me.

“How’d you pick him out?” I turn and ask Bob.

An easy laugh tumbles out of his mouth. “How’d you not realize you two were related from the beginning? He looks just like you, except for the obvious differences.”

Joseph presses his hand on my unscathed shoulder.

“Hey, Joseph,” I say, looking up at his jubilant face. I sense he already knows who’s keeping my company at the moment, but I introduce them anyway.

“Pleased to meet you. I’ve heard all sorts of wonderful things about you two.” Joseph shakes both of their hands.

“The pleasure is all ours,” Steve says.

“So first things first,” Joseph says, his face turning grave. “Did Roya tell you she’s pregnant?”

My fist connects with Joseph’s arms before he finishes the sentence. He doubles over laughing, and to my relief Bob and Steve join in.

“Have I mentioned that my brother is a compulsive liar?” I say.

“Not compulsive,” Joseph corrects, with his finger held high in the air. “That would suggest that I can’t control it. However, I have the ability to control what comes out of my mouth and I just choose to say things that are considered slightly exaggerated.”

“Even that statement you’ve said is oozing with untruths,” I say.

“She’s acting out a bit because I told her that she wears too much gray. And by too much I mean she should erase it from her wardrobe because no one should ever wear it. I suspect that, like all drab things, my poor sister is married to this color. Poor thing.”