Page 17 of Somnium

“Okay, I’ll do it.”

Zoe let out a relieved sound, collapsing into Cadi’s side and bouncing excitedly against her. “Thank you thank you thank you! I owe you a drink at Ambrosia next weekend!”

Cadi gave her a confused look. The only ambrosia she knew was a salad, and she was fairly certain that wasn’t what Zoe meant. “What’s ambrosia?”

“Club Ambrosia!” Zoe replied. “The opening next Friday night? I swear I told you.”

Cadi pressed her lips together and shook her head, a familiar shadow of hurt threatening to creep in at the edge of her mind. Based on how fervidly Zoe was now talking about the event, there was no doubt that an invitation would have been alarmingly memorable.

Panic and shame flashed across Zoe’s face before she quickly course-corrected, returning to her usual bubbly demeanor. “Well, you’re absolutely coming, I won’t accept any other answer. It will be the perfect opportunity for you to relax a little and let loose.”

Cadi scowled, unsure if she should be offended by the insinuation. “Who says I need to let loose?”

Zoe tilted her head and propped a hand against her hip. “Cadi, I’ve seen you at work. People defusing bombs have less tension.”

Cadi snorted a laugh, nearly choking on her coffee again. “Damn, okay I’ll go!”

Zoe beamed, clapping her hands together in a move that Cadi had come to recognize as her signature. A delicate tone drifted from Zoe’s pocket, and she pulled out her phone to silence the alarm informing them they had to be back to work in ten minutes.

They left the bridge behind, following the tree-lined path that would lead them out of the park. Zoe gushed about her upcoming date for most of the walk back, and by the time the wrought iron archway marking the entrance appeared in the distance, Cadi was confident she could have singlehandedly authored the man’s biography.

“And he’s a satyr so he may get a little clingy but gods, Cadi, I’m just so excited. I really appreciate you covering for me. If you want to stay after tonight, I can give you the rundown on everything.”

“Oh, I can’t tonight,” Cadi said. “I’m getting drinks with Sera, but I’m sure I can figure it out.”

Zoe’s steps stuttered briefly, the smile fading from her face. “Oh.”

All of the familiar warmth was gone from her tone, the sudden shift making Cadi’s stomach drop as they walked the last few blocks back to the hospital. It was clear from her silence that something had upset her, Cadi just wasn’t sure exactly what it was.

They climbed the front steps, the automatic doors sliding open for them with a mechanical whoosh. Just as they reached the threshold, Zoe stopped, her hand shooting out to grab Cadi’s wrist with startling urgency. Cadi turned to her, the knot in her stomach twisting at Zoe’s serious expression.

“Listen, Cadi, I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but …”

Cadi’s mouth went dry as her mind tried and failed to finish Zoe’s sentence, an irritating reflex she had developed out of self-preservation. If she could prepare for the inevitable letdown, maybe it wouldn’t hurt as bad.

“… I’m worried about you.”

Cadi tilted her head in silent question. That was not what she’d expected. Her life bordered on boring—what could Zoe possibly be worried about?

“And … why is that?” She asked.

Zoe sighed, pulling Cadi off to the side to let a group of nurses slip past. When she looked at her again, Cadi felt herself begin to shrink beneath the weight of her stare.

“I just don’t know if it’s a good idea for you to be spending so much time with that bartender. Sera.”

Cadi’s brows shot up. “Why not? She’s a part of the Order. What’s the problem?”

“Yes, but she’s also friends with him,” Zoe said, emphasizing the word in a way that left no question in Cadi’s mind as to who she was referring to. “There’s no way he doesn’t have her ear, filling her head with all sorts of lies that she could easily pass on to you.”

Zoe let her shoulders dip slightly as she shifted to take Cadi’s hand. “I know you were hoping to find a friend with her but you have us and … well I just don’t trust her, and I don’t want to see you jeopardize your future with the Order.”

Cadi’s mouth hung open, her words dying on her tongue. Sera wouldn’t do that; she was a good person, a good friend. Someone Cadi could trust. At least, she thought she was. This didn’t make sense.

Zoe gave her a reassuring smile. “Just be careful, okay?”

Cadi nodded, not wanting to risk the argument. Zoe squeezed her hand once, then slipped past her and into the hospital. Cadi watched her disappear down the hall, the warmth of her touch quickly fading to leave Cadi alone once again.

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