The hospital’s main entrance was bathed in warm light as Alex guided Linda through the automatic doors.
The familiar antiseptic sll hit them imdiately, along with the quiet bustle of evening shift changes.
As they walked toward the elevators, Alex’s enhanced perception caught movent in his peripheral vision.
Dimitri stood near a maintenance corridor, partially concealed behind a pillar. Their eyes t for a brief mont.
Alex gave an almost imperceptible nod, then raised his hand slightly... a subtle gesture indicating he’d return later.
Dimitri’s expression remained neutral, but Alex caught the slight acknowledgnt before the man lted back into the shadows.
"Everything alright?" Linda asked, noticing his montary distraction.
"Just spacing out for a second," he said with a faint smile. "Co on."
***
Nina’s room felt like a haven of warmth compared to the sterile corridors. The little girl was awake, looking significantly better than when they’d left.
Her color had improved, and she managed a genuine smile when she saw them.
"Mommy! Big brother Alex!" she called out, her voice still weak but filled with joy.
David looked up from his chair beside the bed, relief evident in his face. "She’s been asking for you both every few minutes."
Linda imdiately went to Nina’s side, smoothing her hair and checking her comfort with the practiced care of a worried mother. "How are you feeling, sweetheart?"
"Better," Nina said honestly. "The nice doctor lady ca by again. She said the machine is helping clean my blood."
Mike was sprawled in one of the family room chairs, looking exhausted. Danny sat on the edge of Nina’s bed, his earlier panic replaced by cautious hope.
Sarah stood near the window, but Alex could see the fatigue in her posture. She’d been here all day, supporting Danny through the crisis.
"Sarah," Alex said gently, "you should go ho. Get so rest."
"I’m fine," she protested, though her voice lacked conviction.
"No, Alex is right," Danny said, taking her hand. "You’ve been amazing today, but you need to take care of yourself too. Your mom called earlier... she and your dad are already worried. If you don’t go, they’ll only worry more."
Mike nodded in agreent. "The hospital gave us family rooms. We’ll be right here if anything happens."
Sarah looked between them, clearly torn. "Are you sure? I don’t mind staying."
"We’re sure," Danny said firmly. "Co back tomorrow morning. You can see Nina again then."
After so gentle persuasion, Sarah finally agreed to leave, extracting promises from all of them to call if anything changed.
As the evening settled into a comfortable routine, Alex waited for the right mont. The family was relaxed, Nina was stable, and visiting hours were winding down.
"I’m going to step out for a bit," Alex said casually.
"Want company?" Mike offered.
Alex shook his head. "No, it’s fine. I promised soone I’d check in while I was here. Won’t be long."
Linda looked up from Nina’s bedside. "Don’t stay out too late."
"I won’t," Alex assured them. "I’ll et them first, then maybe walk around for a while... find a quiet spot to make so calls about the college situation."
Danny’s expression darkened at the ntion of their problems with Pierce, but he nodded. "We’ll handle that tomorrow."
"Agreed," Alex said, checking his watch. "I’ll be back in an hour or so."
***
The elevator ride down felt longer than usual. Alex’s nerves humd with tension, his enhanced senses on high alert.
What if they do sothing to ? What if this is a trap? What if they decide I’m a threat to their operation and eliminate ?
He forced himself to breathe steadily, pushing down the anxiety. They needed him... that much was obvious. If they’d wanted to hurt him, they wouldn’t have approached so carefully.
Still, the knowledge that his family and friends were in the sa building made his skin crawl. If sothing went wrong...
No. Focus. They’re desperate, not stupid.
At least, he hoped they are not.
The main entrance was busier now with evening visitors, but Alex spotted Dimitri imdiately. The man approached with the sa professional calm he’d shown earlier.
"Thank you for coming," Dimitri said simply.
"Let’s get this over with," Alex replied, trying to project more confidence than he felt.
Dimitri led him out of the main lobby and across a covered walkway toward a neighboring building.
As they entered the quieter hall, he spoke in his even tone: "We’re on the third floor, standard ward."
The elevator climbed to the third floor, and Alex imdiately noticed the difference.
Where Nina’s pediatric floor had been warm, colorful, and well-appointed, this section felt institutional and depressing.
Harsh fluorescent lighting, bland walls, and the constant background noise of overcrowded wards.
But they managed to get a private room for themselves sohow.
The disparity drove ho just how much influence Victoria’s intervention had provided.
Without it, Nina might be in a room just like Viktor’s... if she’d been admitted at all.
Dimitri stopped at a door marked 312 and knocked softly before opening it.
The room was cramped, with two beds separated by a thin curtain. Viktor occupied the bed by the window, while the other appeared empty. Three n surrounded Viktor’s bed: Damien in a plastic chair, Andre with a laptop balanced on his knees, and another man Alex didn’t recognize leaning against the wall.
All conversation stopped when they entered.
Damien stood imdiately, extending his hand with what looked like genuine relief.
"Alex. We’re happy that you ca."
Alex shook his hand, noting the firm grip and callused palms. "You would have kidnapped if I didn’t," he replied sarcastically.
"We don’t dare," Damien said quickly, his tone carrying absolute sincerity. "We don’t dare."
’They’re afraid of . Or rather, afraid of who they think is backing .’
The realization was both reassuring and unsettling. These n, who could apparently break him in half, were treating him with the kind of careful respect reserved for dangerous allies.
Viktor struggled to sit up straighter as Alex approached, and the effort was clearly exhausting.
Despite his condition, Alex could sense the man’s inherent strength, the kind of presence that commanded rooms even when weakened by poison.
Alex accepted the chair Dimitri offered, positioning himself where he could see all four n while keeping his back to the wall.
"So," Alex said, settling back and trying to project calm authority despite his racing pulse, "let’s hear what you really want."
Damien leaned forward, ready to speak, but Viktor raised a trembling hand to stop him. The effort of the simple gesture left him breathing heavily for a mont.
"No," Viktor said, his voice barely above a whisper but carrying absolute authority. "I’ll... explain myself."
"Viktor, you should save your strength," Damien protested gently.
"Trust," Viktor said, fixing his eyes on Alex with surprising intensity despite his condition. "Cannot be... built through... interdiaries."
He struggled to sit up straighter, and Alex could see the trendous effort it took. Each word seed to cost him, but his determination was unmistakable.
Viktor’s eyes closed for a mont, gathering what little strength remained. When he opened them again, his gaze held the weight of years and secrets.
"I am... Viktor Reeves," he said slowly, each word deliberate. "Forr Senior Investigator... House of Blackthorne. One of the... Seven Sacred Houses." He paused, watching Alex’s reaction carefully.
"I served them... faithfully... for fifteen years. Hunting heretics... protecting the... divine order." Viktor’s breathing grew more labored, but his voice carried conviction despite its weakness.
"Tell , Alex... what do you know about... the Seven Guardian Gods?"
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