Chapter 13
Chapter 13 A Cold Reality
When Lyra glanced over again, Cedric’s ears were redder, and a flush crept high across his cheeks as well.
That flawless, porcelain–pale skin dusted with pink brought out a strange, captivating charm in Cedric.
Noticing his condition worsening, Lyra’s expression turned serious.
She quickly held out a slip of paper for him to read, “Are you alright p>
Cedric’s lips parted, ready to answer, yet he dared not make a sound.
It felt as though a soft feather brushed gently against the very core of his spirit.
Layer by layer, it stripped away the heavy, stagnant weight that had clung to his soul for years on
It was soothing, tender, and refreshing all at once.
Every ounce of strength seemed to drain slowly from his body.
Cedric squeezed his eyes shut, his spirit reeling so violently he could barely stay upright.
end
He did not reply for a long moment, and the pink blush spread down his smooth cheeks, creeping toward
his neck.
Lyra rushed to set Snow down by the window, fully intending to fetch a medic.
The second her hands made contact with his spirit animal. Cedric bit down hard on his lower lip to stifle a soft whimper.
In an instant, that blissful, soul–cleansing sensation vanished entirely.
The rigid tension locked in Cedric’s frame melted away at once.
He rolled his Adam’s apple and spoke in a hoarse, rough voice. “…I’m fine p>
Lyra froze mid–step.
She spun right back around, hands flying into frantic sign language, “Really? Are you hurting anywhere p>
Cedric could not understand sign language, yet the raw worry swimming in her eyes was impossible to miss.
He called his spirit animal back to his side.
He stared at her in heavy, drawn–out silence, then shook his head once more.
“…Truly, I’m okay p>
His normally clear, melodic voice turned husky, lending it a dangerously alluring edge.
Cedric had never undergone Guide purification before, but in that second, he finally understood.
He knew exactly how Goldie and his other pets felt when he ran the electric massager over their heads, too
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Chapter 13 A Cold Reality
overwhelmed by comfort to keep their eyes open.
Pa scribbled another note and held it out to him.
“ Are you absolutely certain? Your face is bright red–could you be having an allergic reaction p>
Cedric’s eyelashes fluttered rapidly. He turned his face away, overcome with embarrassment and sheepishness.
Probably something like that p>
Lyra’s expression stayed dead serious.
“Allergies aren’t something to brush off. I’m going to get a medic to check you over p>
As she moved to leave, Cedric called out to stop her again.
“I don’t need one, really p>
He paused, his gaze sweeping over her with quiet curiosity.
..Before you go, could you do me a favor and find Mochi for me p>
Lyra suddenly remembered the plump cat had bolted off when Snow startled it earlier.
She scanned the area quickly, but there was no sign of the cat anywhere.
“Okay. I’ll go help you find the cat. You should drink some water first. If you feel worse, tell me p>
After reading the note, Cedric’s lips tugged upward faintly, and he whispered a quiet thank–you.
Unable to speak out loud, Lyra wandered the nearby area searching for the cat.
She thought to herself that she was glad she’d come early; otherwise, she would’ve run out of time entirely.
That was when Jessa, making her rounds through the cell block, spotted her.
“Lyra p>
Lyra turned her head and offered a soft, reserved smile.
Jessa walked over, confused. “What are you hunting for p>
Lyra bent down to write on her notepad, “A Sentinel’s cat got loose. ”
Jessa fell silent after reading the words.
She drew a deep breath and spoke in a grave, earnest tone. “Lyra, I know you mean well, but you need to understand–this isn’t part of your job duties. ”
When Lyra just stared blankly at her, Jessa lowered her voice.
“Officially, we’re here to care for Sentinels crippled by severe psychic contamination. But make no mistake -this place is where Sentinels come to die, and we’re just the ones who arrange their final rites p>
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Chapter 13 A Cold Reality
Mid–conversation, two orderlies wheeled a wide stretcher out from Building Four nearby.
A white sheet covered the figure atop it, and beneath the fabric lay the outline of a massive animal.
Lyra knew better now, though–once, that shape had been a living, breathing person.
Jessa’s warning continued beside her.
Finlyte
“We hold nearly a thousand Sentinels here alone, all waiting for Guides who’ll never arrive to heal them. The other facilities are even worse off.
“ Even if a Guide agreed to come here, their purification power couldn’t keep up with how fast the contamination claims lives.
“So long as they don’t lash out and hurt you, stick strictly to your assigned work.
“I caught you messing around today, but if the Administrator saw you wandering off to chase a cat on company time? He’d label you derelict in your duties without a second thought p>
Lyra hung her head.
A surge of quiet relief washed over her.
She was grateful for Jessa’s care and honest warning, yet the words felt brutally cold all the same.
Hope was slim, but it was not entirely gone.
So many Sentinels clung to life, dreaming of the day they’d recover and walk free of the Black Spire.
Yet everyone around them had already silently resigned themselves to preparing their funerals.
Her mind drifted to the soldiers back in her original world, and her heart ached for how tragic their fates
were.
She jotted down another note to hand to Jessa.
“Jessa, could it be possible that lifting their moods might slow the contamination from worsening p>
Lyra still did not fully grasp all the rules of this world.
She’d drawn a simple comparison: psychic contamination struck her as similar to severe PTSD or chronic depression from her old life, with Guides acting as a kind of specialized therapist.
After reading the line, Jessa shot her a look half–amused, half–exasperated.
“Silly girl, you’re far too idealistic. If cheering them up was enough to fix this, no one would be desperate to seek out Guides p>
Lyra nodded, taking the lesson to heart.
I understand now. I’m sorry, I’ll get back to my post right away p>
Jessa waved her off. “Off you go. The Administrator’s been patrolling every wing lately, and he’s notoriously
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Chapter 13 A Cold Reality
ruthless.
CREA
Ron’t let him catch you slacking, or even I won’t be able to pull you out of trouble p>
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.