Word Count: 1598

~Kezziah

I should have known.

I've always known Avia has had contacts in convenient places. Little did I know it would be a nurse right in the middle of Alden's operation. Ever since Avia came across me after everything went down with Time, she has been so equipped with all the appropriate knowledge to get me through.

And now, from afar, she is still ensuring I'm okay. It fills my chest with a comfortable warmth. Someone cares for me when I doubted there was anyone left.

"You need to tell her I'm okay," I tell her urgently. "That I have to work with Alden to fix this before I can get out, but I'll be okay. She doesn't need to worry about it. She just needs to keep herself safe before Time comes for her."

The last thing I want is for something to happen to Avia.

Emily nods, and just before she was about to say something, when another nurse bustles in. Knowing no word of this can be spoken in front of anyone else, Emily casts me one last look before she walks out the door. Hopefully she will get that information to Avia so she can ensure she finds the best way to hide from Time.

The nurse moves into a stall, so I brush my hair back with my fingers then wash my hands before leaving, not wanting it to seem like a patient is conversing with a nurse.

Once I was back in my room, it didn't take long for Sermon to come.

She decided there was no way my next administration of drugs could be done in this room, so she sent me back to the one I came from for the meantime. Something tells me she did it out of spite, rather than out of necessity. At her heels, were a few nurses, but Emily wasn't one of them.

Much to my dismay, the walked in with a tray. On it, a long needle. My entire body repulses at the sight of it.

Oh no.

Noticing my expression, pure, sick amusement spread across her face. Perhaps a moment of sweet revenge for her. It's clear how much she despises me for having any kind of contact with Alden. I'm curious to know what has gone on between them to warrant that.

"This one is especially for you, my dear," Sermon says, as I reluctantly sit back on the chair. "A special medicine for your very special case."

"Special?" I question.

Already, I know what this means. This exact medicine has been curated for me especially, and the mate bond Time has forced upon me. They were quick to create it. I just hope I don't have to use one of Cian's blue pills to save myself. The fact that it's a needle scares me even more.

A nurse pulls up my sleeve, wiping the spot she plans to stick the needle with an antiseptic wipe. I watch her every move nervously. This is the last thing I want.

"It will only sting a little," the nurse says, plucking the syringe off the tray. I can't tell if she is mocking me, or is she is genuinely reassuring me. Either way, I glance away and squeeze my eyes shut while she administers the drug.

And it more than stings.

I don't react, not wanting to give Sermon the satisfaction of watching me in pain. Once the drug was completely within me, they set a plaster over it and the nurses left. Sermon lingers a moment longer, the piece of paper with all the information on what exactly is streaming through my veins held tauntingly between her fingertips.

"How was your vacation with Alden?" she asks. It takes all my effort not to narrow my eyes at her.

"I wouldn't call it a vacation."

Not telling Sermon that jealousy isn't a good look on her takes a lot of self control. Either her and Alden have a past together that came to an end, or she simply is attracted to him like most who meet an Alpha. Whatever it may be, there has to be a reason why she is so threatened by me.

"I thought I would do Alden a favour and let you know he's just your Alpha. As much as your little mind might think he is into you, he will abandon you as soon as this little project has been dealt with," she tells me firmly.

Swallowing a hard lump in my throat, I sit up properly.

"Look, what is going on better him and I is strictly business. And I'm sure he thinks the same for you too," I say promptly.

I'm not proud of my dig at Sermon, but it's frustrating hearing her talk like that. I don't want to be with Alden. And if Alden is my mate, it will only make everything harder. I can just imagine how Sermon would feel about that. '

She doesn't say anymore, however, makes a scene out of scrunching up the vital piece of paper in her hand, stuffing it in her pocket and leaving.

Great.

I lay back, closing my eyes. Not knowing what was administered into my skin is awfully frightening. It could do anything to me. Will anyone be around if it all goes wrong? It doesn't seem like anyone is behind those cameras. Regardless, I just have to sit here and wait.

The more I lie here, the more tired I get. It gets to the point where I can't tell if this fatigue is from my rough sleep recently, or from the drug.

Part of me knows I should fight it. That maybe I should call for a nurse to tell me why I'm feeling this way. But it suddenly comes impossible to open my eyes, and my limbs, when lifted, feel unbelievably heavy.

This isn't normal. But yet, I still fall asleep.

***

Waking up wasn't easy.

Someone's grip is on me, tight and painful. I shake it off, keeping my eyes closed, however, they are quick to grab hold of me again, forcing me to barely open my eyes. Through them, I can see I'm in an office, and standing on the other side of my desk is Cian, much to my dismay.

"Oh great, not this again," I mutter, sitting up in the chair I had been sitting in. The man who had been holding my arm backed off a bit now that I was awake.

"You should get into the routine of thanking me, since helping you is all I ever seem to do," Cian says, folding his arms over his chest. This time he seems more bothered by me then amused. I'm used to immortals always finding me funny, as if they all share some kind of joke at the expense of mortals.

I know what he saved me from, so I don't question.

"Don't pretend like you're not feeding me those pills so you can win this bet you're involved in," I mutter tiredly. I'm not in the mood with this splitting headache to be dealing with Cian's attitude.

"Well, you're alive, aren't you? That should be enough I would think," Cian says.

He looks extra sinister today. He must have been back to the immortal realm recently, as he almost seems to exude power. Greed. His hair glistens and glows golden under the light above him, and not in any way that is mortal. Even his jacket seems strange, the black thread shimmering, the buttons winking.

"You didn't keep your side of the deal," I mutter, wishing I could stand. My legs find no energy to do so. "Time came back to me. What happened to protecting me from? You do more harm than good."

"Time had no intention of hurting you. I'm here to keep you safe. If he has no reason for doing you any harm, then I shall not get involved,"

Of course.

Had I known he would do so little to help me, i would have never agreed to go to that party. I would have never agreed to stand there and behave like he expected me to. I wish I told Noah to keep away from him. To save his mate from him.

"Well now I'm haunted. It could make me take my own life if you're not lucky," I spit.

Cian doesn't react, knowing none of that is truthful to any degree. He comes to the other side of the desk, that I am on, leaning back against it. I hate when he gets so close, and I can see all those immaculate features and smell the cloying scent.

"And how did dear Time haunt you?" he ask.

I think for a moment about what has been plaguing me for quite some time. Well, ever since I heard about it. And I know I won't get it out of my mind, so I have to see if Cian knows something.

"May I ask you a question?"

Cian's jaw ticks. "You may ask."

I take a deep breath, unsure if I want to hear, or even let alone if he knows. However, I need to know if he does.

"Is Alden my mate."

Cian doesn't look surprised that I asked him this. "Yes."

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If you guys want more of Alden, the rest of available now on Radish (:

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Sinful's own story is up now on Radish! I wanted to make it apart of the Seven Sins series (which will have stories involving Cian and other characters you've seen before)

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Instagram: Sophie_Midika

~Midika 💜🐼