Apollo (Luna Lodge #5)(30)

"Apollo is special," the doctor said. "His is wired to the eye. If I try to remove it, there could be permanent eye damage."

She stared hard at the eye. Apollo shifted. His discomfort hung in the air.

"What?" he asked.

She shook her head. It bothered him, being vulnerable.

"I'm going to figure this out," she said quietly. Not quite sure if that was for herself, Apollo or Rachel. "It will take time, but I will."

"Good," Rachel said and touched Val with something cold. She looked over and found her swabbing the inside of her elbow. "Now, I just need a little blood."

Apollo growled, and Val placed a hand on his leg.

"It's fine," she whispered.

Rachel looked around her at the angry hybrid. She held up the needle in her hand and pointed it at him.

"You bite me, and I'll make sure laxatives find their way into your food."

Val wanted to laugh but was afraid it might set him off.

The poke was quick and relatively painless. It was clear that Rachel was more than capable at her job.

"How long will it take?" Apollo growled at her.

"Two to three days," she said. "We have to send it off."

"Three days?" he nearly shouted.

Rachel stared at him as if he'd just sprouted wings. "Welcome to science. You know, that's actually very quick. I know someone who can skip us ahead."

Apollo frowned, and Val had to admit, she was hoping it might be sooner. Still, just a few days, and she'd know if she was blood related to Sol.

"Now," Rachel said, turning to Apollo. "Let's do that other scan. Although I think it has less to do with a chip and more to do with a certain lady."

Her smile said she was enjoying this maybe a tad too much, but who was Val to ruin her fun, especially if being bitten was actually a real concern?



* * *



Val had been working all afternoon, and he was impressed with how she dealt with the young hybrids. They worked hard for her and didn't seem to mind the chill in the air as they did. He hadn't seen them react as well to someone other than Hannah.



       
         
       
        

They had made it half way around the fencing, and that meant things were partially operational. The other half was still on the fritz, but he would take what he could get.

It was nearly dark when she had to call it quits. She waved at the boys as they hurried back to their dorms. Dinner would be nearly over soon, and if he knew Augustus, the ending wouldn't likely be delayed for them.

Val sat down on the soft grass with him and sighed as she leaned against the tree. They had gotten much further out today, deeper into the forest area. It made him happy to know that they were actually making real progress, even if she couldn't figure out what was going on with the system. As long as it was addressed at some point, it was the best they could do.

She sighed.

"They are really good boys," she said.

Apollo swallowed as her hair was ruffled by a small breeze. The sky around them was getting darker and made their time together far more intimate.

"You understand them," he said gruffly.

She was quiet for a bit, and he wondered if maybe she had fallen asleep.

"I can relate," she said finally.

He turned to look at her. He doubted she really could. Their lives had all been so different.

"I never really had a family," she said quietly. The way she said it was so full of sorrow he knew how much the chance of having one meant to her. "The foster system isn't exactly kind to kids who are strange."

"I thought you didn't have any hybrid features," he said.

Val turned to him and gave a small smile. "Didn't mean I wasn't weird." She sighed. "I just didn't fit in. Something always seemed missing. Turns out it was my twin."

It seemed weird to hear her say it.

"And when you don't stay in one place for long, it's hard to have that love," she said. "But they have all of you."

Apollo swallowed. It wasn't really like that with them. Hell, before the last few days, he hadn't really thought much about the younger hybrids. The thought of it made him swallow. It was good that Titus had hired a woman to come in soon. What they needed would be more than any of the men would be able to give. That sort of love was special, needed.

He glanced at Val. Well, sometimes it was special.

"What?" she asked.

He licked his lips, not really sure where to go with this. If he took the step, that would mean something. If not to her, then to him.

A growl cut through the air, and he turned to find Sol standing near them.

"Back up," Sol said quietly.