Darkness Shatters: Book 5 (Sensor Series) (24 page)

“Then we were all stupid for letting her go in there.” She shook her head. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Keep Sable for me for now. I don’t think I’m going to be home much and I can’t risk her getting out with the plague going around.”

“I can do that,” Cori promised. “Though I can tell you she gives the litter box an evil eye. That cat definitely prefers to go outdoors.”

“Yeah, she’s made sure I know it, too.”

Cori glanced back down the hall. “I should get going then. It’s about her meal time and she tears through my cabinets if I don’t feed her regularly. Almost as bad as Kerbasi.”

“I’ll call and update you.” I stepped away from her.

“Please do.”

I continued on my way as soon as she went around the corner. There was a backdoor for the clinic. I headed down the hall toward it with one goal in mind. No one else stopped or questioned me as I left the place. I crossed icy pavement and kept going toward a small section of woods a block away. It was the most private place I could find without taking Kerbasi.

Once I was out of sight from the clinic and behind a strand of trees, I drew an iridescent stone from my pocket. It was always with me just in case. I hadn’t used it in months, but I needed it now. Focusing all my thoughts on my guardian angel, I called out her name.

Ariel

My voice was a whisper on the cold breeze.

A minute passed. Nothing. I called to her again. Finally, there was a flash of light. The beautiful archangel appeared before me, brunette hair and porcelain skin glowing. Her expression was not so nice.

“Why have you called me?” she asked in an irritated voice.

I clenched my fists. “Emily has been exposed to the plague. I need your help.”

Her expression softened marginally. “There is nothing I can do for her. I do not have the power to go around her immunity to magic.”

“Is there someone who does? Surely she’s got a guardian angel, too.”

Ariel’s eyes filled with sympathy. “You are all she has.”

My throat swelled. They couldn’t possibly think I was all the protection she needed. What could I possibly do? Then an idea formed in my head.

“Can I give her my blood if she gets sick? Would that help?”

When Lucas had given me his I didn’t get sick again, even before getting the next two doses that made me immortal. Maybe it could do the same for her.

She shook her head. “I’m afraid not. She is still too young and it could do more harm than good.”

“How? Lucas’ blood saved my life. It didn’t hurt me.” Well, the first two doses didn’t. The third one was another matter, but I wasn’t going to take it that far.

“It may heal her, but it could stunt her aging process and create other unforeseen problems. This is not something I can allow you to do.”

“So am I supposed to let her die?” Even if she had to suffer a little I’d risk it, rather than losing her.

Ariel came over and took my hands. “All I can say is that you must not share your blood with any mortal. The same rules apply to you as nephilim.”

“Can you at least tell me the cure for the plague so I can help Emily and the others?” I asked.

She glanced up at the sky, conflicting emotions running across her face.

“I am sorry, but I cannot help you.” Then she leaned close and whispered into my ear. “I am being watched. Do not call upon me again until you need the portal location. The nerou you rescue will give you the answer you seek.”

“Are you in trouble?” I asked, keeping my voice as low as hers. The last thing we needed was to lose our archangel sympathizer.

“Not yet, but questions are being raised. I’m doing my best to cover them until the time comes.”

“But…” I began.

She stepped away. “I must go. Take care, Melena.”

With a flash of light, she disappeared. I stared at the spot where she’d just been standing. She hadn’t even left footprints in the snow. What was I supposed to do for Emily if I couldn’t get an archangel’s help or use my blood? Please, God, don’t let her get sick.

Chapter Twenty-two

Lucas

They watched over Emily for three days. Lucas had never known true fear until he’d met Melena and now he was living in fear for her adopted daughter as well. The tests they’d run on her yesterday revealed an elevated white blood cell count. Paula couldn’t say whether it was from something as simple as a cold or if the plague had infected her. New samples drawn this morning would tell them more.

Since she’d been exposed, he’d scrambled to set up an isolation chamber at the far end of the clinic—away from anyone who could get infected. They couldn’t afford to take any chances. It had required bringing in extra men to make the room airtight, as well as adding special gaskets for the two sets of doors leading to it. They’d just finished installing separate ventilation, which included negative pressure air and a HEPA filtration system. Lucas had never imagined he’d have to learn about any of these things, but he knew all about them now.

“Well, at least I get to miss school,” Emily said, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. “But it’s going to suck making up all my homework.”

“I’m sure you’ll be fine,” Lucas reassured her.

She picked up her cell phone and checked for text messages. It was about all she did other than sleep and eat. He had no idea she had so many friends or that they would communicate about the most inane things—such as the latest celebrity gossip. Lucas was completely baffled by teenage behavior.

The door opened and Melena came through with a smile on her face. “It looks like Hunter is getting better. Paula just confirmed his body is fighting off the infection.”

“Really?” Emily hopped off the bed.

There had been signs in the last two days that the werewolf might recover, but they’d waited until tests confirmed improvement before telling Emily or letting Hunter say anything. They hadn’t wanted to get her hopes up for nothing.

“Yep,” Melena said. “Counting his dad, he’ll be the third patient to pull through. Bambi is starting to get better as well.”

“Are they still isolating her?” Emily asked.

“For the moment. She swears she’ll behave, but Paula wants to give it another day or two just to be safe. She got pretty violent there for a while.”

What Melena left out of the conversation were the dozen victims who hadn’t survived. And that’s what worried Lucas most. If the majority of supernaturals with strong immune systems couldn’t fight it, what chance did Emily have if she was infected? The plague in the troll had morphed into a much stronger version by the time he exposed her to it. They didn’t have to worry about the demon magic working against her, but it was still a highly virulent form she might have to fight.

“Is Hunter up and around?” Emily asked, eyes lit up with hope. “Can I see him?”

Melena cast Lucas a nervous glance. “Paula is allowing Hunter to get up for a few minutes at a time and walk around, but he’s not recovered enough to come in here. I’m afraid you’re going to have to wait.”

“But that’s not fair!” Emily balled her fists. “He already has the plague so it shouldn’t be a big deal if we see each other.”

Lucas gave her a stern look. “It might not seem fair, but it is in both your best interests. Hunter needs rest if he’s to recuperate faster.”

Emily wrapped her arms around herself. “What about his father? How is he doing?”

Lucas had taken a special interest in anyone who overcame the plague and monitored their recovery closely. He’d just seen Rob the previous evening and found the werewolf in much better health. The young pixie Lucas had attempted to heal also showed signs of improvement when he checked on him this morning. Quinn was the first one to win the fight against the disease in Juneau. It gave him hope that even if Emily did contract the illness she might be able to beat it.

“Rob is still recovering and his sores aren’t fully healed yet, but he does seem to be getting back to full strength,” Lucas reported.

“Good,” Emily said, sitting back down on the bed. She grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Can you guys tell them to turn the heat up? It’s freezing in here.”

It was easy to forget mortals had a lesser tolerance for cool temperatures. All the girl had on was a hospital gown and undergarments. He wasn’t surprised she was cold.

Melena stepped closer to her. “Is your face flushed?”

“How should I know? There’s no mirror in here.” Emily scowled.

Lucas looked as well. “Her cheeks do look red.”

The door behind them clicked open, redirecting their attention.

Paula poked her head inside. “Lucas, Melena, may I speak to you for a moment?”

“Of course,” he replied.

They followed the doctor out into the hallway.

She turned to face them, hands clasped in front of her and face carefully blank. “I’m afraid I have some bad news. Emily’s latest culture shows signs she’s developing the plague.”

“Are you sure?” Melena asked, taking hold of Lucas’ arm. Her fingernails dug into his skin, but he hardly felt it.

Paula gave her a sympathetic look. “Yes. I double checked just to be certain.”

“What can we do for her?” Lucas was a man of action. He needed somewhere focus his attention rather than contemplating what might happen to Emily.

“She’s been on antibiotics and fluids, but I’ll switch to a stronger medication now that we’re certain she is sick. The garlic oil might help as well if she develops sores. Other than that…” she paused, “we just need to move her to the isolation chamber.”

Emily was now a threat to anyone who wasn’t immortal. He wanted to slam his fist into a wall, but not with Melena standing next to him. Lucas needed to be strong for her—and for the girl who’d become like a daughter to him.

“I’ll take her there myself,” he promised.

Paula nodded. “Give me a few minutes alone with her. I need to do another examination, but then you can transfer her over.”

The doctor left them in the hallway and went inside.

“Lucas,” Melena said, looking up at him. “There’s a nerou in Purgatory who might know how to cure this.”

“I know. Yerik told me.” Not that it did them any good.

“What if we…”

“No,” he interrupted. “I won’t risk losing you on the small chance it might save her.”

The consequences from her last trip there still haunted them. As evidenced by the guardian headed their way with a Styrofoam cup in his hand. Kerbasi must have made another trip to the nearest coffee shop only a few blocks away.

She gave him a frustrated look. “This is Emily we’re talking about.”

“And we’ll do everything—not involving that place—we can to save her. Of that, I promise you.”

“What has happened?” Kerbasi asked, finally reaching them.

“Emily has the plague.”

The guardian’s cup splattered on the floor.

Chapter Twenty-three

Melena

Emily was sleeping. It had only been a day since she’d been diagnosed, but she already looked a lot worse. She’d developed a fever and complained of painful muscle cramps. I bowed my head and prayed harder than I’d ever prayed before. She’d recover. There was no other possible outcome I could handle.

Someone knocked on the outer door.

The walls had been thickened when they turned the room into an isolation chamber, but my supernatural hearing could still pick up loud noises from nearby. I glanced at Emily. Her breathing was deep and even as she continued to sleep.

Making as little noise as possible I left the room and entered the decontamination area we’d set up. Through the window in the outer door I could see Derrick and Aniya standing there, looking at me.

“What do you want?” I asked, hoping to avoid decontaminating if possible.

“I need to talk to you,” came the alpha’s muffled reply. “Aniya will watch Emily while you’re out.”

I put a hand on my hip. “Is this going to take long?”

He had to know I didn’t like leaving Emily except for the bare necessities—like eating and bathroom breaks.

“We’ll see. I’ll buy you lunch while we’re out.”

My stomach growled at that. I couldn’t remember the last time I ate anything.

“What about Kerbasi?” The guardian was off taking a nap in the caregiver break room at the moment. I hated to disturb him when he wasn’t being a nuisance.

“We’re not going far.”

I sighed. “Fine. Give me ten minutes.”

Pulling down the window shade to block his view, I began the decontamination process. First I had to strip everything off, tossing my suit into a special bin, then scrub myself down with disinfectant. Our methods weren’t quite up to CDC standards, but we were doing the best we could under the circumstances. Once I was finally clean and had sterilized the tile floor, I grabbed the sealed bag with my clothes. It took another minute to put them on.

I opened the door and nodded at Aniya as she passed me on the way through.