Remus’ eyes changed and the look confused Kailynn.
“Until you have seen the strongest person you ever knew waste away in front of you, and you are forced to realize that you were the reason, do not judge my actions regarding Isa.”
Rayal walked over to Kailynn and put a hand on her shoulder, slowly pulling her away from Remus.
“That’s enough,” he whispered. “This not the time or place.”
“What happened to her?” Kailynn asked. “What happened to her that put her in the hospital five years ago?”
Remus’ expression hardened.
“Gihron happened,” he said darkly.
Kailynn looked at the various faces in the room, understanding that everyone was not entirely worried about Kailynn’s proximity to Isa. They remembered what happened to Isa when Gihron was last active, and they did not want to see Isa go through the same hell she had endured before.
“Kailynn,” Rayal said, standing between her and Remus, “Isa will be in the hospital for a while so the doctors can be sure she follows her treatment. During that time, she is going to need to stay quiet.” He squeezed her shoulder. “When she is out of the hospital, I’m sure she’ll call you and let you know that she’s alright. Until then, it would be best for you to go back to Companion and let the rumors about a Significant in the Golden Elite’s home die.”
Kailynn did not want to leave Isa’s side, but she understood that it really was for the best. It would save both of them, as well as the rest of the Syndicate, stress.
“Alright,” she agreed quietly.
“Thank you,” Rayal said, relaxing. “I will call you if anything changes, alright? Do you have a phone?”
“No.”
“I’ll reach you at Companion, then,” Rayal said. “I’ll take you there now, okay?”
Kailynn spared another glance at the faces in the room, her eyes finally settling on Isa. Her eyes still locked on the Elite, she nodded.
Chapter Eighteen
When Isa started to wake, she felt several sets of eyes on her. She could also feel the horrendous strain on her ribs as her breathing became heavier, fighting the pain of her body as she was brought back to consciousness.
Her eyes blinked open weakly. She saw a blurry finger move in front of her.
“Isa, focus on my finger,” Dr. Busen said, standing over the Golden Elite.
“I…I should pay you…for every time you have…had to say that,” Isa chuckled breathlessly.
“Or maybe I should pay you for all the months I don’t have to say it,” Dr. Busen chuckled, moving his finger away. “Maybe that will give you some incentive to stay out of the hospital.”
“But it’s my second home…” Isa teased with a weak smile.
“How are you feeling, Isa?” Remus asked on her other side.
“I’ve felt worse.”
Remus let out a sigh, picking up Isa’s hand.
“You can’t keep doing this to me,” he said with a wary chuckle. “One of these days I will have a heart attack and end up here in the room next to you.”
“Do you remember what happened?” Rayal asked.
Isa sighed, cringing as she tried to move. She tried to straighten, but her body protested the movement.
“Just stay quiet,” Dr. Busen murmured, placing a gentle hand on Isa’s shoulder and pushing her back to the bed. The Golden Elite gave a defeated sigh.
“I can’t remember…”
“That’s alright,” Rayal assured.
Isa’s eyes traveled to the quiet young woman standing near the corner of the bed, one arm crossed in front of her chest and her other hand to her mouth as she bit her nails, trying to remain composed.
“Tarah,” Isa whispered, reaching out a hand. Tarah walked to the Elite, trying to keep her tears at bay. “I’m alright.”
Tarah nodded tightly, swallowing hard. Isa smiled gently and took her hand from Remus to reach out for the caretaker. Tarah took the hand.
“I’m sorry I scared you,” Isa murmured.
“Isa,” Dr. Busen started, “we’re going to keep you here for a few days to continue proper treatment.”
“I was afraid you were going to say that,” Isa breathed. “I can’t, Dr. Busen.” She shook her head. “This is no time to have me silent in the Syndicate.”
“This is the best time to have you silent,” Remus contradicted. “Rumors will happen no matter what, but this was an attempt on your life, and we do not need anyone else trying to kill you while you’re weak.”
“I won’t work in the NCB,” Isa assured. “I’ll keep all contact through—”
“That won’t stop anyone if they truly want to kill you,” Rayal interjected. “There have been plenty of attempts on your life from people you’ve met in person.”
“There is less of a chance of them succeeding in person.”
“Isa,” Dr. Busen called her attention, “I agree that we don’t need to put you in any further danger of assassination. The hospital is a protected site. Any attack will result in immediate punishment. They won’t risk it. We’ll have guards here and we’ll keep you safe. If there is a pressing matter, we can bring a terminal to the room and you can use that.” Dr. Busen lifted his finger to keep the Golden Elite from speaking. “And,” he continued, “this is to be sure you actually stick to treatment. I know you, Isa. And everyone else here may be willing to let you talk them out of enforcing your treatment, but not me.”
Isa chuckled brokenly.
“I’d rather go home.”
“I know,” Dr. Busen said. “But this is very important.” He sighed heavily. “You’re not as strong as before, Isa. We must keep a very close eye on you.”
Isa nodded slowly.
“I understand.”
“There is something else that I would like to discuss with you,” he said, his gaze purposeful. “It’s a private matter.”
Rayal turned to Tarah, who was still holding Isa’s hand tightly.
“I’ll take you home.”
“I want to stay…” she protested tiredly.
“Tarah,” Isa said with a smile and a gentle squeeze of the younger woman’s hand, “I’m alright, really. Once Dr. Busen’s finished speaking with me, I’m going to get some sleep. You should go home and rest. I know I frightened you, but I am alright. You can come see me at any time. I don’t think I’m going anywhere.”
Tarah wanted to protest, however, Rayal pulled her shoulders carefully, causing her to step back and her hand to leave Isa’s. She managed to utter a choked, “yes, Miss” as she left the room, Rayal bowing his head to the Elites as he walked out. Remus began to leave, but Dr. Busen shook his head, telling the Silver Elite to stay.
When the door closed behind the two caretakers, Dr. Busen sighed heavily and crossed his arms over his chest.
“I was afraid this would happen when Venus approved for you to have a Significant,” he mused.
Isa hesitated before speaking.
“I have it under control,” she murmured.
“You may have,” Dr. Busen agreed. “However, she was identified while in the EMU. It’s been leaked that you had a Significant in your home.”
“Where is she now?” Isa asked worriedly, starting to sit upright.
“She’s fine. She’s safe,” Dr. Busen assured as Remus gently pushed Isa back to the bed. “We sent her back to Companion. Tarah took the initiative and played like she was the one who called for a Significant. We’re trying to make sure that that is the only rumor that spreads.”
“Unfortunately, as we have already heard, that is causing some to believe that the Significant is the one who made an attempt on your life,” Remus added. “Some believe that she responded to Tarah’s call to get close enough to you to kill you.”
“She has a name,” Isa said sharply. “Call her Kailynn.”
“We can’t even call her that,” Remus said darkly. “Since she has been using a fake name as a non-citizen.”
“Isa, this is a very de
licate situation,” Dr. Busen agreed, his tone even.
“Are you telling me to push her away?” Isa asked, her voice cold.
“I know that, even if I did, you would not listen,” Dr. Busen said. “So, no, I am not telling you not to see her.”
“Michael—” Remus started, surprised.
“There was a reason we all agreed time with a Significant was the best course of action,” Dr. Busen said, interrupting the Silver Elite. “Granted, we did not expect this to take a sexual turn.”
“What makes you think it has?” she challenged.
“Past experience,” Dr. Busen said, looking between the two Elites in the room. “My point is, if you do plan to continue seeing her, security measures will have to be taken.”
“Such as?”
“Such as getting her a PIM chip,” the doctor said. “And preferably one similar to yours.”
“An emitter?” Isa said. “You’ll need her consent, which I doubt she’ll give.”
“The reason the emitter chip was invented was because of what happened five years ago. After what happened to Remus and Rayal and the Bronze Elites, Venus ordered that everyone close to you have an emitter chip. With Gihron involved, we cannot be sure that the same thing will not happen again with Kailynn.”
“He’s right, Isa,” Remus seconded. “If you insist on having Kailynn near you, this is necessary to protect her life.”
Isa closed her eyes and took several deep breaths.
“It’s not my decision to make. It is hers.”
“It is actually yours,” Dr. Busen corrected. “If you want to keep her close, if you insist on this relationship, then it is mandated by Venus that she have an emitter.”
“Venus does not know about her.”
“How can you be opposed to this?” Dr. Busen hissed. “After everything Colonel Amori did to Remus and Rayal? After all the pain he put you through? And all the pain we had to endure watching you fall apart?”
“Michael, you promised…” Isa said, her eyes closing again as her voice broke in pain. “You promised me you would never bring that up again.”
“You know this is a real threat,” Remus pressed.
“Do you really want to put Kailynn through what Remus went through?” Dr. Busen said. “Measures have to be taken for her safety, and for yours.”
Isa’s face creased in pain and her arms wrapped around her abdomen as she turned on her side.
“Isa, breathe…” Remus said, crouching by her side and taking her hands, pulling them away from her body. “Count your breathing.”
“Don’t patronize me!” she snapped, pulling her hands sharply from his grasp. She did not open her eyes. “Do you really believe that the thought hasn’t crossed my mind every damn day since I met her? Why do you think I’m…” Isa trailed off, swallowing hard. She shook her head.
“What, Isa?” Dr. Busen pressed. “Why are you shaking your head?”
Isa shook her head again, clenching her jaw tight.
Dr. Busen shared a worried look with Remus and sighed heavily. He grabbed Isa’s shoulder, pulling her onto her back.
“Okay, I apologize,” Dr. Busen murmured. “I should not have pushed you.”
“Stop treating me like I’m made of glass!” she barked.
“Alright, I’m sorry,” Dr. Busen said, raising his hands peacefully. “You’ve just survived an assassination attempt. You need to rest. That was all I meant.” He took a deep breath. “But I’m going to call Paul.”
Isa groaned and let her head fall back on the pillow.
“No, don’t bother him.”
“Bother him?” Remus said, surprised. “Isa, his job is to watch out for you. It’s not a bother.”
“It’s too early in the morning,” Isa said, nodding to the clock on the other side of the room. Dr. Busen glanced at it as well.
“He’s already awake,” he said. “He wakes up earlier than this.”
Isa’s eyes remained closed.
“I want to sleep,” she murmured. “I’m tired.”
Both Dr. Busen and Remus shared an exasperated and frustrated look before nodding. Remus squeezed her hand.
“I’ll be right here,” he said.
The two men waited in the room until Isa was sleep. Dr. Busen continued to watch the monitors and screens, making a few minor adjustments when needed.
When Remus leaned back in the chair he occupied, his hand slowly leaving Isa’s, Dr. Busen nodded to the door and they both stepped outside, waiting for the door to Isa’s room to close before they spoke.
“It’s good to know her stubbornness is still intact,” Dr. Busen tried to joke. Remus barked a laugh.
“She’s been stubborn her entire life. Nothing will ever change that.”
Dr. Busen nodded, his eyes dropping to the floor briefly.
“This is a very dangerous situation,” he whispered. “And I never thought I’d say this, but Venus is the least of their concerns.”
“I know,” Remus agreed. “I will talk to Rayal. Perhaps he can discuss safety precautions with Kailynn and get her to agree to an emitter chip. I don’t think we’ll be able to keep Isa away from her.”
“And I’m going to call Paul,” Dr. Busen said. “I don’t want her working herself up like that again.”
“That reaction surprised me,” Remus murmured. “It means she’s been thinking about this for quite some time. She’s already starting on the spiral that led to what happened five years ago.”
“I know,” Dr. Busen breathed. “I don’t want you to worry, Remus. We’ll keep a very close eye on her. And if we can get Kailynn to be proactive about her own safety in this manner, it will help Isa immensely.” Dr. Busen hesitated. “Speaking of which,” he started slowly, “this cannot be easy for you, Remus.”
“What?”
“Everything,” the doctor said. “You were horribly affected by Colonel Amori as well.”
“I did not have to go through anything like what she endured,” Remus whispered. “And, if you’ll remember, I had over a year of weekly sessions with Paul.”
“Yes, I do recall,” Dr. Busen said. “But now you are having to deal with Isa turning to someone else.”
Remus’ eyes dropped to the ground.
“This must pain you greatly,” Dr. Busen whispered.
“You are confusing me with a human, Michael,” Remus murmured.
“Forgive me,” Dr. Busen said with a knowing smile. “I do forget that I am speaking with an Elite on occasion, since you do not act like a typical Elite. But, then again, you never have.”
Remus glanced at the doctor.
“I better call Rayal and talk to him before Isa wakes,” he said carefully. “I do not want to leave her for long.”
He began to turn when the doctor stopped him.
“Remus,” he called, “please impress upon Rayal the severity of the safety concerns with Gihron. We do not understand how they operate.”
Remus was silent and still for a few moments before he turned fully and walked back to the doctor.
“When we were at the Academy, and learning about all the planets not in the Crescent Alliance, our professors told us that there were two currencies on Gihron—pride and blood. If Gihron pride is hurt, blood will spill. If Gihron blood is spilt, pride will lead to revenge.” Remus glanced at the door to Isa’s room. “There is no doubt in my mind that Gihron will exact revenge on Isa. Because that is the way they operate.”
Kailynn could do nothing but pace around her room for hours after she returned to Companion. Her mind was frantic. She continued to scold herself, telling herself that she had no idea what she was getting into and there was far more to everyone’s actions than she could ever understand.
When her legs were tired, she sat on her bed and found herself asleep almost instantly. She was exhausted, the stress of the night before wearing down her last threads of energy.
She woke near dinner time and decided to venture downstairs to grab something to ease the t
ight knot in her stomach. When she entered the almost-silent dining hall, the silence became deafening. Everyone turned to her, stopping their quiet conversations or looking up from their tablets. Kailynn was frozen in the doorway, scanning the eyes in the room.
Her heart began pounding. She was sure that everyone knew of the attempt on Isa’s life, and it was possible that everyone knew she was in the Elite’s home when the attack occurred. But the way they were looking at her made her feel as though they already knew about her relationship with Isa.
She held her head high and walked toward the rations counter, ignoring the whispering that started around her.
When she reached the counter, she looked over the packages, trying to think enough to pick something to eat.
However, a voice startled her.
“Jacyleen.”
She turned.
“We’re curious about something,” Amyn said, smiling darkly, surrounded by her friends. “Why was a fresh-out-of-the-ghetto girl like you in the Golden Elite’s home when she was attacked?”
“I was there on a job,” Kailynn said, her voice dark and strong in an attempt to scare off the other Significants.
“A job, huh?” Brett said, his tone disbelieving. “You weren’t booked for anything last night.”
“It was a private request,” Kailynn growled, “in an attempt to avoid this kind of speculation. I was there with Tarah, the caretaker.”
“Seems a little suspicious, don’t you think?”
Kailynn’s heart was starting to climb into her throat again.
“Perhaps, she wasn’t there with the caretaker,” Jyun said, his eyes sharp on her. “Perhaps, you were the reason our Golden Elite was attacked.”
Kailynn’s eyes shot wide.
“Are you accusing me?”
“Hey!” a deep voice said, walking to them. Kailynn turned to Jak, relieved to see him, but also ready to start a fist fight in the dining hall. “What’s all this about?”
“Jak, Jacyleen is trying to tell us that she was booked with Golden Elite’s caretaker last night.”
The Significant Page 21