Page 79 of Mindeater

“Oh, he’ll be out for a while. The toll tends to do that.”

I garble around my own tongue when he reaches a particular memory. One even I try not to relive.

The day I couldn’t save him.

The day I lost Ryx for good.

The physical and mental pain knocks me out.

***

At first, it’s too bright. I squeeze my eyes shut as my senses come back. I’m not drugged, but I don’t feel quite right either. Something wet swipes across my cheek, and I jerk away. A few seconds pass before it happens again. I crack open my eyes. A vibrant blue sky hangs overhead, clouds a dusty orange. The air feels heavy in my lungs—burns a little. It reminds me of when I first stepped out into the Barrens.

Tainted, possibly.

I blink away the blurriness and turn my head. The brightest green eyes I’ve ever seen stare down at me. They’re unnaturally green. And the face surrounding it is almost too beautiful to be real.

Even with the black scar slashing from the left side of his jaw down to his collarbone.

“I’m sorry that was so…unpleasant,” he says and continues to clean my face.

His voice and scent instantly have me on edge. I try to roll away, but a force keeps me put. When I glance back at his face, I spot the purple hue fading from his irises. Fuck.

Golden-blonde hair falls in thick waves down his shoulders. Perfectly straight eyebrows add to his expressive face. High cheekbones and deep dimples frame his smile. The small cleft in his chin only adds to his beauty. I can tell he’s been out in the elements, as most of his skin has a deep tan and some sun patches. My mouth opens to speak, but nothing comes out. I’m…shocked? Scared? Confused.

He’s a Telex with green eyes…it’s…

He had green eyes.

“You,” I croak. “It’s you.”

“Ah,” he says and dumps the cloth into a bowl of water. “So he did tell you about me, then.”

Like he doesn’t already know that. He’s seen everything. Everything. My childhood, my adult life, Matthias…

“I’m sorry it had to come to this, Saren. But I need you to understand that I can’t control Aryx as easily as I can control you.”

I frown, inching my face away while he cleans it. “Stop that.”

“You’re filthy.”

“Stop touching me!”

Sighing, he drops the rag and leans forward. His scent is sweet. Pretty. Like the fresh lilies in the community garden. “Until I know you can be trusted, you stay like this. Immobile.”

“How are you doing this?”

He smirks. So pretty. So perfect. This is who Ryx was with. This man. This omega.

“You think I’m pretty?” His eyes fucking twinkle.

“Get out of my head!” I roar.

“Stubbornness will get you nowhere, Sare Bear.”

I physically recoil from the pet name.

“Once you’re done tantruming, I’ll bring you a bite to eat. Sound good?”