Page 23 of The Luna Duet

Chapter Five

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Aslan

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(Moon in Chinese : Yuèliàng)

“ASLAN AVCI? CAN YOU WAKE UP FOR me?”

I ripped awake, snapping upright, searching the darkness for guns and bastards.

My heart thundered for sounds of shots and screams.

Someone touched my shoulder.

I reacted the way I’d been taught.

I struck without question.

I hit before they could hit me.

An umph sounded with a pained exhale before a click and a wash of light.

I cringed away from the brightness, my head pounding and my battered body stiff from surviving.

“You’re safe. No harm will come to you. Are you awake and aware, or do I need to get reinforcements?”

Rubbing my eyes, the terror of being hunted faded. Memories of the storm overshadowed memories of home, and I slouched. Raising my head, I blinked at the pretty young nurse with dusky-olive skin and brown-black hair watching me.

She rubbed at the side of her neck, letting me know where my strike had landed.

I hung my head and dug my fingers into my throbbing head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“It’s okay.”

I clenched my jaw.

That damn word again.

“You weren’t really supposed to sleep. You’re on concussion watch, but all hands were needed for an emergency. We’re a small hospital with typical staff shortages, so I apologise that no one has been around to check on you.” Dropping her arm, she consulted the forms that Jack Taylor had filled in on my behalf.

I watched her carefully as she skimmed whatever he’d written. A slight frown pinched between her eyes. “Your next of kin is Anna Taylor? The marine biologist?”

I flinched.

She knows her?

How sad was it that my world had been reduced to no one.

Everyone I ever loved or loved me was gone.

And a total stranger was listed as my next of kin.

I didn’t have the energy to explain, and a whisper in the back of my mind warned me to tread carefully. Trying to change the subject, I asked, “What...what time is it?”

She stood taller and flicked her wrist, checking a rose gold watch gleaming in the soft light. “Two a.m.”