Fever by Selina Brinkmann (readict TXT) 📕

“Nobody will judge you if you can’t remember it. And who knows maybe in time it will come back!” and with a dramatic gesture she ordered Evy to stop.

Jiggling the keys she pushed them into Evy’s hand. “This is your new home for a while now! Probably forever if you don’t find someone who is willing to share living quarters with!” In front of them was a dark wooden door with a sign that said: “107”

Putting the key into the lock Evy slowly opened the door. The room behind it was dimly lit and she pushed the switch higher. It was easily furnished. A single bed was standing in the far right corner. A nightstand on its left side offered space for a few personal items. The wardrobe was at the left wall next to a shelf and from her point of view she could see that at the end of the bed was another door, probably leading into a bathroom.

She turned around and saw Roxanne leaning at the door frame. “It is not a five star hotel but it is all yours!”

Evy laughed and walked towards her embracing her. “It is amazing. I never had so much space and,” she twirled around crossing the room and pushing the curtain aside, “I even have a window. I cannot even remember the last time I had a window to look out!” Like a child she touched the glass and looked out. From her room she could easily oversee the territory and even beyond the border.

“The glasses are tinted from the outside so no reflection will give our position away. Just in case you were wondering!”, said Roxanne to no one in specific just wanting to fill the depressing silence that had settled.

“Normally I would suggest to get some clothes! But,” with a look at the setting sun through the window,” I think you should rest and tomorrow we can go clothes hunting.” Roxanne hugged Evy and before leaving she pointed at the wardrobe.

“There should be at least one outfit. We normally put enough in there to survive a night in here with comfort. I will try to be here around eleven. But if you are hungry earlier just head to the cafeteria as I will stop there before I see you here!” And with that she softly closed the door behind Evy and headed off to make a last check on her other patients.

However only a few meters from Evy’s new quarters she was interrupted by a low voice whispering into her ear.

“I see you have been busy today! Everything settled with Roan I guess.” , clutching her heart Roxanne turned around and looked Dominic into the eyes. His dark green eyes found hers and he grinned at her.

“Don’t do that again. You gave me such a fright! And yes everything is settled. They met through an accident and even though he isn’t too happy about having her I think everything is gonna work out.”

“So he acted like an actual person for once?”

Roxanne laughed and said, “Well she described him as a caveman and threatened to kill him as soon as he let her down, so yeah both of them acted like living beings. And I am pretty sure that he is more open to the idea of opening the gates once more. Possible with heavy questioning but the people might know us soon again as a sanctuary. Especially with the other sanctuaries backing us up he has no choice!”, and when she saw him grinning, “But he is still one of my best friends and I understand that he wants to protects us all!”

“Yeah Roan almighty. I got your point! But what is next on your agenda. And don’t even deny it. I know that you have something planned!”

Roxanne crossed her arms and looked at him angry. “Why is that everybody knows that I am up to something! Am I seriously that easy to read?”

He tilted his head to one side and chuckled. “Just for the ones who know you well!”, when he realized his slip, he quickly added, “And of course for those who are aware of their surroundings!” There was no point in letting her know that he had found out a lot about her since his arrival here. And only a bit came from asking other people. Most of it was due to observations.

“Well that definitely puts a damper on my plans. And no,” she tapped her feet on the ground, “I won’t tell you what I want to do. You probably laugh at me!”

“If you don’t tell. You will never find out. Try me!”

With a suspicious sight she quickly explained her theory about Roan’s strange behaviour towards Evy. His surprised look gave her a quite satisfying feeling.

“So you want to try and see if your theory is right and if it is, try to get them to spend time together?”, she nodded and her blonde hair whipped up and down.

“But you know that both of them are grownups and don’t actually need a matchmaker. From what I heard Roan is perfectly capable of gaining female attention!”, she sighed when she heard his reply.

- Of course a guy wouldn’t understand it.

“I don’t doubt that he is capable. But Evy is not the typical women and I doubt that Roan especially his more you know, animalistic side, will understand that! He isn’t known for his all too sensitive feelings. If he sees something his only thinking is about how fast he can get it and he doesn’t always considers all feelings involved!”

“That is rich! You as Roan’s greatest defender tell me that he isn’t capable of getting the attention of the female he is interested in! I think he would rip your head off if he knew that!”

Throwing her hands into the air Roxanne glared at Dominic. “You know what! Forget it. I don’t need your help. I will just do it myself!”, and with that she stormed away.

With the night arising Roan knew that he had left his duties long enough behind. In the form of the eagle everything seemed miles away. The work and responsibilities appeared to be unimportant and he was aware of the danger in staying in a shape for far too long. The animal within him began to overshadow the human mind and instincts rather than logic ruled his decisions.

With a cry he turned his back to the freedom that awaited him in the sky and having the moonlight in his back Roan came home to New Terra. At the entrance where he had followed Evy through he landed majestically and shifted back into his human form. His mind was still tuned into the animalistic side so when Liam approached him from the dark he sensed danger and swiftly turned around then grabbed him by the throat. Instantly realizing his mistake Roan released his friend and forced the beast in him to back down.

“Nice greetings to you too!”, joked Liam and massaged his neck. Roan could see the marks he left there and when Liam lifted his hand he knew that he had punctured the other man’s skin.

“Why were you waiting upon me? You know how bad it is when I just shifted back!”

With a chuckle Liam clapped Roan on the back. “This ain’t nothing. The time you came back while running in your wolf shape that was scary. I thought you were ready to rip my throat out! However,” clearing his throat, “that is not the reason I have come here.”

“So what brought you here?”, impatiently Roan went passed Liam and hurried down the corridor. Everything in him urged him forward. Trying to suppress the impulse he focused on Liam.

“Tamara and George are asking you for a conference.”

“What do they want this time?”

“They can’t handle the rush onto them. Their sanctuaries aren’t as big as ours and they want you to open again!”

Roan’s dark eyes were slowly turning into pitch black. He knew that everybody wanted them to open and he was willing to do it but he didn’t like to be forced into it. First Roxanne and now those two. Liam noticing the change in atmosphere didn’t bother Roan but let him solve it by himself. Having known him since their first day in camp he knew how much Roan wanted to stay in control. It wasn’t that he was seeking for more power but keeping control meant that he could keep leash on the animalistic side in him. Remembering the time where he had totally lost it Liam knew how important control was to Roan and that he needed it.

Rubbing his temples Roan shortly nodded and declared: “Set a conference for two tomorrow afternoon. I will open again but the rules will be harsher and nobody,” he glanced at Liam, “can come in here without having either being questioned by you, Taylor or me.”

“Understood! I will let Taylor know as soon as everything is wrapped up with Refugium and Libertatis!” and with that he bid him goodnight and made his way to his quarters. Having to wait for his friend to come home had taken its time. He knew that he could have asked Taylor to send a message out to Roan but he wasn’t ready to face her and her comments at this late hour. She could be worse than a viper sometimes especially to him.

Roan followed Liam’s retreating figure until it disappeared into the shadows. The man was loyal to him and had lend him a hand often enough when he had come too close to become a rogue. Having been cell mates for more than two years and being send out for tests and missions together they knew each other as good as brothers. If Liam didn’t object to opening New Terra than he could at least listen to his best friend and try to give it a shot.

Riaz had been able to surpass them as nobody had been aware of his true abilities. He had been registered as a telepath on level two however he had been far more advanced. In truth Riaz had been a walking broadcast station at level 5. He couldn’t only send but also receive thus making it so hard to trace his involvement as no records of traitorous communication existed.

- Nobody will do this again. This failure had cost them two good and loyal people. I will protect my kind and if it is the last thing I will do so be it! Roan swore in the darkened corridor and made his way to the headquarters.

Entering No.109 Roan didn’t bother to turn on the lights. His eyes immediately tuned into the dark atmosphere and he went to the window. The moon was shining through the clouds and he longed to be out again. Stretching his wings and feeling the cool wind ruffling his feathers.

Closing the curtain Roan dropped his clothes and went into the bed. The need in him had subsided and not questioning it he welcomed the calm and fell soon asleep.

In the room next door Evy had been disrupted in her sleep earlier on. Anger and fury had hastened her heartbeat and she was drawn-in into a tumble of feelings. Not knowing what just happened to her she rose and got herself a glass of water. It took nearly ten minutes until the emotions had abated. Feeling peaceful once more Evy went back to bed and tried to sleep again. However when the sleep finally came it was different from her former slumber.

Irritated Evy looked around and found herself in a darkened room. She couldn’t really see anything besides the blurred silhouette of some objects. In the far Evy saw a thin line of light streaming out from behind a curtain. Cautious she went to the window and drew the curtains aside. The moon in all its glory was shining down on her and lightened her face. Pressing her palms against the cold glass she was lost in the perfection of the night outside. Not knowing how much time passed Evy realized that she wasn’t alone when the cold of the room was gone behind her back. Slowly she turned around and found herself transfixed by