CHAPTER 19

Axton thought back to the time in his office when he had touched Ren and felt that strong humming sensation in his head. Feeling the hum could have been easily dismissed, but, what confused him was that gentle string that pulled him toward Ren.

Axton was a man of control, he had never encountered anyone or anything that stripped him of it. But, Ren was easily doing so and he hated it, hated Ren.

Ren was a threat; making him almost break his character in front of Corvin.

He wondered what he would have done if Corvin hadn't intervened.

He should keep Ren away from himself, he wouldn't want anyone to realise that his captive had some sort of strange effect on him. He didn't know what it meant, and he wasn't interested in finding out.

On the screen, he watched Ren sleeping quietly. Ren had used his hands to form a pillow beneath his head, his lips parted very slightly.

Axton stared, his gaze long and hard.

He couldn't even understand why he was watching the hidden camera in Ren's room, but, for some reason, he was still staring.

He had a reason, to monitor Ren and make sure he wasn't secretly communicating with his commander or anyone. But Ren was sleeping; there was no need to watch him.

Axton frowned, about to turn off the screen, when a sudden jolt made him clutch his head.

He grunted, his elbows hitting the table as he squeezed his eyes shut against the throbbing, pulsing ache.

Groaning, he managed to place his hands on the table and forced himself to his feet, knocking his chair down as he staggered over to his bedside drawer.

His visions were quickly clouding as his headache increased.

With difficulty, he fell on his knees beside his bed and drew his drawer out. Out of practised habit, he reached into the drawer and grabbed a small box.

With shaky hands, he opened it and took out the two tablets of medication, throwing them in his mouth and swallowing them without water.

Instantly, his headache disappeared, his vision returning.

Panting, he leaned his head on the bed and sighed heavily, a huge frown appearing on his face.

These symptoms have intensified since the first day Ren appeared on his doorstep, he believed it had something to do with the strange hum and lull he felt toward Ren.

He needed to speak with Corvin as soon as possible the next morning, he needed a stronger dose.

He picked up the box of medication and threw it back in the drawer, his eyes glancing briefly at the syringe inside the drawer.

"Uh," he raked his hair and pushed the drawer.

Axton stood from the floor, walking over to his glass window to stare out onto his city.

He didn't like imbalance, and he'd kept everything under control for a long while, Ren's appearance was a tumult, and he needed to do something about it before it got out of control.

He couldn't have his body or his Faction affected by anything or anyone, especially not Ren.

***

Ren jolted up from sleep and fell off the bunk bed as a blaring alarm sounded heavily in his ears.

His eyes snapped open and panic seized him when he saw the red light blinking above him on the roof.

His panic intensified when he saw the familiar digital screen appear above his door, but a small sigh of relief left his lips as he saw the 'wake up' written on the screen.

Ren immediately scrambled to his feet and looked up at the ceiling, "I'm awake, can you stop now? You're hurting my ears." He said, waving his hands to no one in particular.

"Alright, Renault, disarming the alarm," The synthesised voice replied.

Ren chuckled, shaking his head, "I knew you would reply." He murmured and looked around the room for any instructions or any diet but he found nothing.

He was getting used to the synthesised voice. Though it still heralded danger, a twisted part of his mind was starting to hear it like an old friend, the only constant companion in this suffocating hellhole he'd found himself in.

Stretching his body, Ren walked over to the door and paused. He stared at the handle as if it were made of hot iron, just mind reeling with what might happen the moment he pulled the door open.

But, he couldn't hide in there forever; staying locked in would only land him in trouble with either the captain or the lieutenant, or both.

Inhaling deeply, he raised his hand and twisted the handle, pulling the door open.

"Oh..." Ren murmured as he saw men walking by his door, some shirtless, some dressed.

He wondered what was happening, why did everyone seem to be in a rush? Which way should he go?

"Hey,"

"Oh!" Ren stepped back from the door as Kael suddenly appeared shirtless in front of him, leaning his hands against the sides of his door.

"Hi, good morning," Ren said, looking a little puzzled.

"You have only a few minutes to shower and brush, Renault, follow me," Kael said and held Ren's hand, dragging him out of the room.

Ren managed to drag his door closed before Kale pulled him away and along the long passage.

"Watch it," Someone pushed Ren's shoulder as he bumped into them.

Ren glanced up and found an angry face glaring at him.

"Sorry," Ren muttered and tried to twist his body as much as possible to avoid bumping into someone else.

"Hey, can we slow down? Why are we rushing? Has the captain asked for me?" He asked, out of breath.

Kael suddenly stopped amid the rushing crowd and faced Ren. He held Ren's shoulders and leaned his face closer.

"Failure to appear at the practice field before sunrise and you're doomed for fifty lashes from Rhys. Do you want that?" He peered at Ren.

Ren gulped, he'd hate to be punished that early. He shook his head and sighed, "Then we'd better hurry." He muttered.