The Lonely Orphan (The Lost Planet 5)

“How do you plan to do that?” I ask. I grip the chair to keep myself upright. The confirmation is staggering. All I want to do is run away—go somewhere dark and quiet where I can be alone with my feelings. It’s too much.

In a moment, I’ve gotten everything I’ve ever wanted. My sister. Hadrian.

And I may lose it just as quickly.

I press a hand to the pounding in my head. It hurts to look at the screen. My hand comes away covered in sweat.

“Avrell will be joining you,” Breccan says. “He will meet Theron at a safe distance away from the Facility to ensure our safety so Theron can transport him back to the prison where he may help treat those infected by The Rades.”

The mort on the screen doesn’t look pleased by the news, but he doesn’t protest. Hadrian tenses behind me, though he stays silent. I sense he doesn’t like this idea but doesn’t speak against his leader.

Aria wipes at the tears on her face. “Don’t worry. He’s the best. He’ll take good care of everyone and it’ll be over before you know it. Then we’ll have to plan a big party to celebrate.”

The hopeful look in her eyes only makes the growing dread in my stomach multiply. Because if they’re serious about how deadly this virus can be, then there’s a chance I may never actually see Aria in person again.

“I’d like that.” My voice is hoarse. “Can we call you again tomorrow? I want to check on Zoe in the infirmary.”

Breccan nods gently. “Of course. Why don’t we schedule a standing call for half-past the solar every day for a status update?”

Hadrian must nod, because Aria says, “We’ll get through this.”

I can only nod because it feels like there’s a weight pressing down on my chest. I stand, but my legs are weak. Terribly weak. Probably from lack of sleep.

“I miss you, sister,” I say, before my legs give out and I crumple to the floor.

Hadrian is by my side a half-second later, his hands on my forehead. I can sense everyone gathering around me, but my arms and legs feel wooden, immobile.

“What’s wrong with her?” I hear Aria shouting over the comms.

Hadrian pulls away and I want to comfort him when he says, “She’s burning up.”

Then darkness swallows me.

12

Hadrian

No. No. No. No.

NO!

My heart races inside my chest as fury and worry wage war inside me. She can’t be sick. Not brave, strong Lyric. I won’t accept it. The fury beats down my fears brutally.

I didn’t just find her for her to be taken away.

This is something I will not accept.

She’s mine and I won’t let her go. The Rades will have to take us both kicking and screaming into The Eternals, but at least we’ll go together.

When I burst through the infirmary doors with an unconscious Lyric in my arms, Zoe’s eyes widen briefly in fear. Then, her fury syncs with mine as she bursts into action. I lay her down on the table and stand by to assist Zoe, who starts barking orders at me. Without argument, I bring her supplies, help hook Lyric to some of the machines, and then settle beside Lyric to hold her hand. Zoe gives me a withering look, but doesn’t say a word. That’s a good thing, because I really don’t feel like yelling at the woman who’s treating mine.

“Fever is high,” Zoe hisses. “Fuck.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and try to remember anything of use from the past. I’d been so small, though, I can’t remember what my parents went through. I do, however, recall reading something about it in the books Sayer keeps. Breccan recanted his own tale of those long solars as he looked after Draven. At first it was Avrell, treating him for fever, and then the sores. When he began to scratch, he had to be restrained. Then, he went mad in a reform cell. Breccan never left his side. I’d been so young and Breccan was my only parental figure at the time, and it was noted that I cried continuously wanting him, but I was denied because Draven needed him more.

I kept him cool. Offered him continuous assurances. Protected him from himself.

Reluctantly, I release Lyric’s hand to rush over to the sink. I wet a cloth and then wring it out before folding it neatly. Zoe watches me with narrowed eyes, but I ignore her as I sit beside Lyric again.

“Everything is going to be okay,” I promise Lyric as I lay the cloth over her burning brow. “I just found you. You think I’m going to let you leave me now?”

Zoe scowls. “Shh. I need to focus.”

“And she needs me,” I challenge.

Her lip curls up. “I don’t know what happened up on that mountain that you think—”

“Enough,” I bite out. “Enough happened.” Pain tears along my chest, threatening to tear me in two. “Everything happened.”