“ Almost dawn . Pandim went to bed an hour ago .” He reached out and brushed some loose strands of hair from my cheek . “ Are you ok ?”
“ I ’ m fine . It was just a strange dream and I can ’ t seem to recall it ,” I said , looking out the window as the first faint shots of pink streaked through the sky . “ Viken , there is something I haven ’ t yet told you about my run-in with Damascus .”
“ What ’ s that ?” “ Lazarius was there .”
Viken became very still at the mention of Lazarius ’ name . He was the one person who knew my story - my whole story – and he was aware of what it meant for me to have run into him so unexpectedly .
Slowly he asked , “ Do you mean to tell me that Lazarius has finally come out of hiding ?”
I could only nod my head . My mind was still ashamed at my defeat while facing him .
“ Did he give you any indication as to why ? Did you find out anything ?”
“ No . I didn ’ t .” I hung my head , allowing my long black hair to shield my face . “ All I know is that he ’ s back , that Damascus is working for him in some way , and , there is someone else involved ; somebody pulling Lazarius ’ strings .”
I could feel Viken ’ s anger being to spike upward , but he took a deep breath , calming himself ; he did not wish me to become more upset .
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