THE RETURN OF THE FORGOTTEN

IA'S

heavy, my limbs like they're weighed down, but it's the tug of wires and monitor

alize I'm not in a hospital; I'm at one of Sebastian's secret warehouses. The one his parents don't kn

nce down and freeze. My clothes-my usual mission gear-are gone, replaced wi

ma

brui

mark on

he fabric at my throat. No one was suppose

nd adjusting his glasses with the other. He looks... different like this. His usual cocky smirk is missin

cing his voice as he sets the lapt

oom and wraps me in a hug. It's warm, gro

o look at me. His hands linger on my shoulders, his eyes scan

oarse. I'm lying, of course,

said you'd pull through. She's a genius, by the way. I

ches slightly. "Linda..." I trail off, glancing down

'm worried about. "Linda," he says firmly. "She's

da's the only person besides Seb and Eli I trust with anythi

in, and Eliana bursts in, a bar of chocolate in on

ws herself into a hug, careful not to bump the wires or bandag

I mumble, though there's a s

. "I brought this because you looked like death last night. Bu

an," I say dryly, earning a glare

can see the relief in her eyes. "Next time, try no

I reply,

e lucky Linda was nearby. That poison wasn't a joke. If I hadn'

reassure both of them, even if

ot, you're not leaving this bed

, I let myself relax, surrounded by the only two people who've ever made me feel sa

blanket covering me, letting the faint hum of the machines fill the sp

voice quiet but steady as I glan

ged over, pushing his glasses up. "Two da

tle too fast. Pain shoots through my

her brows. "Wha

my chest tightens. "What if she hasn't eaten? What if so

and she moves to sit on the edge of the bed. She places a hand on

process her words.

ood and made sure she's okay. She didn't really want to talk to me, but I told

and I let out a breath I didn't realize I

softening. "Of course. I kno

ing heavier than usual. I don't thank

lly from his chair. "Don't get too co

brow at h

t Emilio, or should I just

a small smile tugging at my

s the

y bastard got sent on a mission there,

the most childish and chaotic member of our group, in a place

shrug. "But knowing him, he's prob

ully he doesn't cause too much

ease now. Aurora's fine, Emilio's being his usual self, an

just need to make sure none of you get you

worry. We're all perfectly c

most foreign in the quiet room. For the first time in days, I let myse

☆

space feels quieter than usual, probably because Aurora's at school. There's a sense of pea

s tone firm but teasing as I

ing my hair up and rolling my s

nd I can hear the unspoken "don't

, my lips pressing into a thin line. He fre

his hands up in surrender. "Ki

back, smirking as I pull

eye on me. "At least let me help. I can dice something or..." He pauses, watching me pul

ter, shaking my head as

n the wall and scrolls through his phone. A few moments later

y? You had to pick this one? I liste

he barstools, spinning lazily in a circle. "Besides, it's better than si

ue when the beat makes the whole kitchen feel alive, th

bbing slightly. "You know, if this whole assassin thing doesn't wor

, but there's a ghost

moment, it's like nothing else exists but this-mus

l like he owns the place, and I'm too tired to argue. I set a plate in

world," he declar

, finally letting myself r

s, the Weeknd, and tacos. And for the first time in a

☆

n. Aurora's finally home. I've been pacing the living room for the last hour, trying not to think about all

atching sight of her slipping off her s

?" I ask, my voice s

back to me, but doesn

oser. "Your location's always

ng me off with a glare.

r than they should. She's angry. No, not just

know what to say. I can't exactly tell her the truth, not when I'

head, muttering something under her

" I call after

oesn'

oom door. She turns, just for a second, her expres

r, my hand hovering in the air like I wa

y chest tighten, but I don't try to fo

ouse feels heavier than usual, suffocating. I sit on the edge of my bed, running

s wait. And hope that, some