Free The Legacy: A Custodes Noctis Book by Muffy Morrigan

Rob. You know, I wonder if that’s what I felt earlier. I think It’s back and looking for me again, looking for you to finish what It started ten years ago.”
    He dragged the chair around the bed to the side by the window. It was away from the equipment the nurses needed to check on a regular basis. Galen lowered the railing, settled in the chair, laid his hand on his brother’s arm and carefully put his feet on the bed. Despite the coffee he had consumed, he was asleep within several minutes.
    His feet hit the floor when he rolled over, pulling him out of a deep sleep, filled equally with nightmares and comforting dreams of home. Galen opened his eyes, gingerly moving his neck, stiff from sleeping in the chair. Light was filtering in from behind the curtains. He stood up, stretching and rolling his shoulders. Walking over to the windows, he looked out at the parking lot behind the hospital. He idly watched people as they arrived, most seemed to be staff, getting out of their cars and striding purposefully across the lot.
    “Hello?” a light baritone voice said, sounding confused.
    Galen’s heart started pounding. He swallowed and, taking a deep breath, turned around. “Rob,” he said, walking over to the bed.
    Rob looked at him, the color suddenly draining out of his face. He frowned, tears at the edges of his slate-blue eyes. “Galen?” he whispered.
    Galen sat on the edge of the bed. “Hey, Brat.”
    “Galen?” The tears escaped Rob’s eyes and were trickling over the bruises on his face. He held his hand out towards Galen.
     The gesture was reminiscent of Rob’s thirteen-year-old self. It was too much for Galen. He reached out and pulled his brother up and into his arms in a fierce hug. Rob let out a soft sob, Galen felt his brother’s arms go around him. He felt the tears start as the ache in his chest, an ache that had been there for ten years, was suddenly easing. “It’s okay, Rob” he said softly. It’s okay. Staying here, letting him know, it is okay. I think we were wrong.
    His brother pulled away, looking at Galen, the tears still on his face. “You’re dead.”
    “I was,” Galen said, swallowing the lump in his throat. “I’m better now.”
    “Galen,” Rob said, his voice hoarse with emotion. “Are you sure you’re alive?”
    “Yeah.” Galen laid a gentle hand on his brother’s leg, opening himself to Rob, letting the bond slowly repair itself. “I’m pretty sure I’m alive.”
    Rob swallowed again, a frown on his face, the tears still trickling out of his eyes. He looked around the room. “Hospital?”
    “You were brought in yesterday morning,” Galen said, allowing the change of subject. He scrubbed the tears off his face.
    “Yesterday?” Rob blinked, looking at him. “What happened?”
    “You were attacked, the police brought you in.”
    “I don’t remember.” He frowned. “Can we go?”
    “We need to get you checked out by the doc first, then we can go.”
    “I don’t like hospitals, Galen,” he said, swallowing. “You know why.”
    “I know. I’ll go see if I can find someone, then we can go home.”
    “Home?” There was a note of longing in his brother’s voice.
    “Yeah, Rob. Home.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Five
     
    The hospital corridor was busy as Galen rolled Rob down towards the entrance. His brother had been quiet since he’d come back with the doctor. Galen sighed, watching people walk towards them. A nurse turned the corner and headed their way. Rob sat upright in the chair.
    “Galen,” Rob said softly, his voice barely more than a whisper.
    “What?” Galen said, dropping a hand down on his brother’s shoulder. A shiver of anticipation ran up the contact. Rob’s heart was beating fast.
    “That nurse, coming this way.” Rob glanced back casually. “She…”
    “Okay.” Galen maneuvered the wheelchair into a group of people. As they passed the nurse, she looked over and met Galen’s eyes. What he saw there caused