The second examination was worse than the first.
Vexia had clearly spent the night analyzing the data from yesterday's scans, because when Nox arrived at her laboratory, she was surrounded by floating screens covered in diagrams and calculations that meant nothing to him. Her platinum hair was slightly disheveled, and there were dark circles under her eyes that suggested she hadn't slept.
"You came back," she said, not looking up from her work. "I wasn't sure you would."
"Did I have a choice?"
"There's always a choice. Most people in your situation would choose to avoid learning the full truth about their condition." She finally turned to face him, and her analytical gaze swept over him with unsettling intensity. "You're braver than I expected."
"Or dumber."
"Those aren't mutually exclusive." She gestured toward the diagnostic circle. "Please. Same position as before. I've made adjustments to the array that should give me more detailed readings."
