ly Gra

ony, a sharp reminder of a cracked rib scraping against something it shouldn't. My

s crackled from the speaker, a sound I barely registered until it was replaced

im

s a name I hadn't heard spoken in that tone in years. A lifeline I had prayed I would never need to

ilence where I could almost feel him listening, not

oice as steady as a surgeon's hand. "Graves le

d sharp, cut through the fog of pain.

s. My throat felt like it was full of cr

his assistant summon him to an emergency board meeti

new kind of pain, crashing over me and dragging the physical agony

voice was firm, pulling me back fro

blood a welcome, grounding sting. It was an

ol of the estate's perimeter security. No

picked out myself. It had seemed so beautiful then. Now, its gli

s," Helios continued, his tone as even as if he were reading a

sh panic through me. "...no... no hos

action. "The man coming is 'our guy.' He will treat yo

rusted him. In a world of lies, Helios was the one truth I had left. A trus

ed in my stomach. The room

nstructed, as if he could see m

ing flayed alive. As I shifted, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the polished ma

cleansing fire that burned away the pain and fear. I would n

e ragged gasp that was not from pain but from fury. "

ace on the floor. A stranger stared back, he

ered, my voice raw but ste

line. Then, his voice came back, a lo

en cutting out abruptly. The doctor. He was here. The relief was absolute, an

heard Helios's final words, clear a

He will handle everything