Chapter 26: Marinah

The pounding in my head wakes me, and nausea makes me run for the bathroom. The liquor comes up and the vile taste of vomit almost makes it impossible to hold my guts inside my stomach. How I wish I could remove them.

Never again, I think to myself as I lean against the toilet holding on to the cool porcelain for dear life. Of course, I've said the exact same thing before even if it has been years.

About five minutes later, I walk from the bathroom feeling somewhat reborn after my purge and search the bedroom for signs of King. Though I threw back the covers when I ran to the bathroom, there's still an indent where King sat on the bed last night. It wasn't a dream.

Darn, that's not good.

I think I asked him to have sex with me.

I think I need to dig a very big hole and bury myself in it.

Instead, I grab clothes from my closet and head to the shower. The sooner I see King and face the consequences of my actions, the better. Really what can he do? I'll just pretend I don't remember. I won't think about his hand running up my leg or the look in his eyes. I won't think about the desire I still feel, because it shouldn't be there.

He still might kill me.

I still might want to do the nasty with him.

It's up to me to be sure neither scenario takes place.

After a long shower and painstakingly putting on my workout pants, shirt, and athletic shoes I head out the door with a killer headache. Two different guards stand at attention when they see me.

"Do you know where his majesty is?" I ask.

I receive blank stares.

"King, your leader. Do you know where he's at?" I try again.

Nothing.

"Would it be possible to eat breakfast somewhere other than my room?"

"We will escort you to the cafeteria."

At least this question earns a reply. I rub my hands together. "Oh, goodie. A new room to explore." I don't mention my need for coffee and aspirin. Maybe the kitchen will have both. Of course, they ignore me and my hangover snark.

I follow the silent guards through more twists and turns. Every time I think I've deciphered the layout of this building, I'm taken in another direction. All I know is the place is massive and when we turn the final corner, it opens to a huge cafeteria. About twenty Warriors sit eating at a long table, the most I've seen together since arriving. Two get up from a smaller table in the corner and eye me curiously but don't stop to chat. The smell of food is almost more than my stomach can handle, but then I catch the faint odor of bacon and the world stops tilting. No. Coffee first.

I beeline to a large pot and fill a cup to the brim. Before Hell's War, I loved froufrou almond milk lattes with mountains of flavored syrup and sugar. At the Federation compound where I work, we have few amenities and I've learned that when I can get coffee, I should enjoy it black.

It's exactly what this morning from hell needs.

From the corner of my eyes I catch sight of who I think is the doctor who treated me the first night I was here. He heads my way after seeing me. He's dressed in the required Shadow pants minus the leather chest straps. His yellow T-shirt is a goofy Cuban one like what I was provided. Where other Shadow Warriors tend to have the "Warrior" eyes and firm, set jaws, the doctor's eyes are gentler, his jaw more accustomed to smiling. His natural perceived kindness takes nothing away from his deadly ability which he carries in the set of his muscular frame.

"Axel," he says with his large hand out. "You appear tired," he adds.

I shake it without giving my name because I figure he knows who I am. "What every woman wants to hear when she's worked really hard at looking her best," I respond sarcastically. His expression turns to stricken and I actually laugh, which hurts my head. "You're good. It's called a hangover and I'm not proud."

"I'll take a guess and say good Cuban rum."

"Change it to disgusting Cuban rum and you'd be right."

"Disgusting going down or coming up?" A smile replaces the stricken look.

"Oh, it was good going down." I laugh again. "I don't mean to appear rude but I'm still a little unsteady on my feet and need to sit down."

He nods toward the incredible array of food served chow-line style. "Take a seat and I'll make you a plate."

I eye the food and my belly turns slightly sideways. "Bacon, mounds of bacon only."

I head to the smaller table the Warriors just left and take a seat. My first long drink of hot coffee is heaven even though it burns my tongue. By the second drink, my stomach settles a little. If it weren't for the headache, I'd be able to function properly. Maybe.

A plate lands in front of me and the doctor takes the chair across the table. "You don't follow direction well," I say while staring at the plate that holds at least a pound of bacon and a pound of fruit. The fruit actually looks good, so it's not a complaint. Fresh fruit is as novel to me as real bacon.

I attack the bacon first thinking back to my vegetarian days when I would have revolted. Hunger and the dread of starvation have a way of changing your perspective.

The doctor brings me from my thoughts. "You seem no worse for wear after your stay in our unique sauna room."

I lift my eyes from the plate. "Thank you for helping me. At least someone in this joint understands hospitality."

His grin expands. "I see why you've caused so many problems."

I don't touch that at all. Instead, I grunt because I've learned from the best. "The hospitality here will be legendary. After nearly killing me, I have my own room, complete with guards." I turn my head and nod in the direction of the door where they wait patiently for me to eat. "If I had some reading material, I would consider this a four-star accommodation."

His pleasant laughter soothes my head. "Reading material I can help you with. I also might have something for the headache you're most likely feeling."

I swallow the bacon before grinning at him. "You can be my new best friend."

He smiles back and I can tell it comes naturally and it's no longer a guess on my part. "I'd like that," he says. "Now eat and drink your coffee so we can take care of your other problems."

"Other problems?"

"You have an appointment with Boot I believe."

I hang my head. "Please don't remind me."

"Working the alcohol out of your body with a little sweat won't hurt."

"You have no idea what you're saying. It's not the alcohol that will hurt, it's landing on my pretty face. It doesn't handle squishing very well." He laughs, and I do as he requests and stuff my face quickly. The fruit was exactly what I needed and besides the constant throb in my head, it's helped my stomach a little more than the coffee.

Axel grabs me a bottle of water to take with us. "Finish this before you train."

I like him. He's the first Shadow Warrior who's been kind from the beginning. He would definitely be one of the reasons my father thought so highly of the Warriors. "Did you know my father?" I ask as we walk more endless corridors.

"I did. He was a good man. You look like him."

When people knew my mother, they always said I looked like her. No one has ever compared me to my father. I see genuine honesty in Axel's eyes and it warms me. I always thought I had my father's smile, so maybe that's what he sees.

He leads me into a suite of rooms that looks just like the medical facility it is. The outer office has a bed against one wall, a table and chairs on the other side, and cabinets across all the upper walls with counter space beneath. "Take a seat," he says and opens one of the cabinets and removes a bottle of pills before pouring them into his hand.

I sit at the table and look around, sipping on my water as I do so. One of the inner doors is slightly ajar and I can see someone lying on a medical bed without being able to make out if it's a man or woman. From the size beneath the section of blanket I observe, it looks to be male. Having no idea about their women, it's hard to finalize the thought.

"Shadow Warriors get sick like everyone else?" I ask and wave toward the room with the occupied bed.

"Only the dumb ones," is Axel's emphatic reply.

So emphatic I laugh. "Did the rum make its way around last night or was it only me?"

"You for the rum and hellhounds for the Warriors."