“We’ll find a way,” Orissa said. The blood pressure cuff around his arm began to inflate. “Just get some rest for now.”
“I’m guessing Ivan told you all about my exciting adventures?”
“In very colorful language.” She rolled her eyes, eliciting a chuckle from Leon.
“Yeah. He’s an annoying bastard, but far as I can tell a truthful one. He really tell you everything? Even the bit about why the Machines want this facility?”
Orissa wrung her hands. “Yes. Even… even that.”
“A lot to take in, isn’t it? You questioning Mattias regularly? Or the clone of Mattias—whatever you want to call him.”
Orissa stood, scooting the chair back. “Every day, multiple times a day.”
“He hasn’t broke yet?”
She shook her head.
“Mm. He’ll talk eventually. He has to know… something.”
Orissa brushed a curl of bangs loose beneath the bandage from his eyes. “Get your rest, Leon. Okay?”
“I think I’m fine. Oh, don’t give me that evil look. I’ll stay put in this bed till I get word from Doctor Clovis or one of his assistants.”
Orissa laughed. “You do that.”
“When I get out of here, do I have somewhere to sleep?”
“With me. Unless you find those accommodations not to your liking.”
Leon grinned. “I like them just fine. By the way, more than a friend.”
She drew back in confusion. “What?”
“Back on the island with all the haais, you asked me what I considered you. A friend or something more. You didn’t let me answer, told me I’d have to reveal it later. Well, it’s later, and I’m revealing it. You’re more than a friend, Orissa Servoni. Much more.”
She smiled, shaking her head. “You don’t forget things very easily, do you?”
“I hang on your every word.”
Orissa laughed. “Good.” She kissed his cheek again and didn’t take a breath till she was out of the hospital, when her knees went wobbly and she thought she might collapse.
It felt wrong—so, so wrong—lying to him. But it was only a few days ago when the risk of a brain bleed was serious enough that Clovis suggested she prepare to say her goodbyes.
Leon was better now, nearly out of the woods. But he needed to continue to rest, and to rest without added stress.
He’d learn what Varugus had said soon enough.
Orissa headed back to her lonesome office. She looked at the vials of mylosynicide sitting on her desk. There were nine of them remaining. She had a feeling she’d be needing each and every one.
She sat down, opened her laptop, and read the last few paragraphs which had tortured her. She’d rewritten them at least a dozen times.
Just came back from talking to Mattias. He says the true Varugus surrendered his consciousness to the Core, but that it’s fading and soon a new consciousness will be needed.
He says the Core cannot exist without the mind of man. Then he smiled and corrected himself. “Or woman,” he said.
Orissa stared at the blinking cursor on her screen, heaving her hands to the keyboard. With a sigh, she began typing.
He then asked me how my mother is doing.
Book 2
Find Book 2, Reaping, right here!
Also by Justin DePaoli
Fantasy
Dragonsoul: The Complete Trilogy
Ascension: The Complete Trilogy
Dark Fantasy
Sorcery and Sin: The Complete Trilogy
An Assassin’s Blade: The Complete Trilogy
About the Author
Justin DePaoli called Pittsburgh home for twenty-one years, but now lives in Kentucky with his wife, daughter, greyhound, three cats, and a company of fish.
Beginning his career as a freelance writer, he now writes fiction full-time.
When he's not writing, he enjoys running, hiking, and smashing hot iron on an anvil.
Rebirth (Archives of Humanity Book 1) Page 28