Page 78 of Empress of Ruin
“No,” he hisses.
Well, that’s something. “I’ll get you what you want—”
“Excellent.”
“—but you should understand the possible side effects.”
Cain glares at me. “I’m all fucking ears.”
“Shewillget worse before she gets better. All human subjects have showed deterioration before significant improvement. Some had to be committed to psych wards. ”
“I can contain her.”
“She might get worse andstayworse. Or get worse and then go back to how she was in the first place.”
“What are the odds?”
“I’ll get you a spread sheet with all the data I have. Off the top of my head, 50-50 that she’ll deteriorate then go back to how she was or deteriorate and get better. There is no cure for PTSD, but if this works as intended—big if—the hallucinations caused by other drugs will go.”
Cain’s nostrils flare, and he pauses before nodding. “Fine.”
“Fine,” I echo.
“And the odds that she’ll deteriorate and stay that way?”
“It’s an anomaly. 1% of subjects experienced it.”
“Any commonalities between them?”
“Yes. They didn’twantto get better.”
Cain looks away. Inhales sharply. His fingers twitch, and he briefly closes his eyes before pinning me with a hard stare. “Alright.”
“You better work fast,” I say, sitting back. “You’ll get my payment when I get my information.”
Cain shakes his head. “Not the deal—I need it now.”
“It’ll take me time to get the samples. A week, at least. Which should give you more than enough time to figure out who tried to get me killed.” I give it a 50% chance that it was someone in the Eyes. Whoever it is, I need to know, so I can ensure Lyra’s protection if I don’t get the votes I need at the tribunal.
“Fine,” Cain hisses. “I hope to never see you again in person.”
“Go fuck yourself. First, see yourself out.”
I stand, adjust my cufflinks, and go to find my future wife.
Instead of finding her on the bed, however, I find her in our bathroom. Curled up in the bath with her knees drawn up toher chest and her eyes distant. Having Cain break into our apartment is an unparalleled security breach.
Instead of reprimanding her, I strip out of my clothes and join her in the tub. Water sloshes over the edges as I climb in behind her, pulling her comfortably between my legs. She goes willingly, resting her head on my chest, breasts rising and falling with each sharp breath.
“I’m sorry,” I say quietly. “He never should’ve been able to get in here.
“You’re right; he shouldn’t have.” She casts me a long glance over her shoulder. “If we’re not safe here, wherearewe safe?”
I don’t think there is anywhere safe from the Nighthawks. They’re the most prolific killers in the world. Instead of telling her as much, I vow, “it won’t happen again.”
“What about the house in Connecticut you mentioned?” she asks, facing away from me again. “Will we be safe there?”
“A single apartment is easier to guard. Too many holes to patch on an estate.”
