At first, Sam thought he was still dreaming.
Hormiz was there. He was bandaging Sam’s hands. He looked so much like his mother. His ears, his claws, his tail, his backwards canine legs. But his fur was dark grey, with black and white accents. He had Sam’s grey eyes and ashen complexion.
“Son,” was all Sam could say.
Hormiz tensed and froze for a second, but then continued bandaging Sam’s hands, saying nothing.
“You ate my fingers,” Sam thought aloud.
Hormiz shuddered but otherwise ignored Sam.
“But I’m so glad you’re alive.”
Hormiz stood and dropped Sam’s bandaged hand to slam against the floor. “Don’t act so grateful. I already told Lilith about your other son. She knows what you did, and she’ll be looking for him now.”
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Sam’s head spun from the pain and blood loss. He slowly and carefully rolled himself into a sitting position.
“Zeke is ready. Lilith won’t find him. And if she does, he’ll defeat her.”
Hormiz scoffed. “Lilith can’t be defeated.”
“I beat her,” Sam countered.
“You stole from her. And look what it cost you,” Hormiz spat.
“Helping her is what cost me you,” Sam said bitterly. “She must have used the Ivory Blade to steal you while I was recovering from Adam’s blast. I was bedridden for months. I had no idea.”
“Shut up! I won’t hear your lies!” Hormiz shouted but he looked afraid.
“You have my eyes,” Sam said. “But you look more like your mother. You’re a shapeshifter, too, aren’t you? That’s how you could look like one of the flower-bugs.”
Hormiz softened. “You saw me in the dream, so why keep up pretenses? Don’t think this changes anything. You’re going to pay for what you did. I’m just keeping you alive so Lilith can decide what to do with you.”
“How long until we reach Nod?”
“A few more days. I’ll send one of the drones in to feed you. You will eat or they will force it down your throat. You are to stay alive.”
With nothing else to say, Hormiz left the blindingly bright room and didn’t return.