“Penelope, Penelope, Penelope.”
Because if she leaves me now, I will burn the world and everyone in it to ash.
Chapter 39
BILLY
The room dissolves into noise.
Metal clatters.
Fabric tears.
Someone swears under their breath.
Someone else starts counting aloud like numbers can hold the world together.
But all I can hear is the pounding in my skull. A brutal, animal rhythm that feels like death trying to break its way in.
The curtain trembles with every movement on the other side, I can’t see what they're doing down there, but Penelope’s still out, her pale face gaunt under the harsh white lights.
The smell of sterilised tools and blood hangs thick in the air. My brothers all keep their hands on me, steadying me with a grip that borders on painful. But I think they know, if they let go, I might do something unforgivable. Like push through the curtain, drag her into my arms, and damn the consequences.
A medic’s voice slices through the chaos rattling around inside my skull, “Baby’s heart rate dropping again.”
My vision tunnels. I brace a hand on the wall, my chest heaving, my stomach flipping, I can’t get enough air, can’t get enough anything.
I’m chanting inside my head, “Please, please, please,” even though I’ve never begged for anything in my life.
If my father really is a god, then for the first time in my life I will fall to my knees at his mercy if it means he could save her.
The midwife nearest the curtain looks over her shoulder at me.
“He’s small,” she murmurs, voice tight. “He’s been under a lot of stress.”
He.
The word hits me like a hammer to the ribs.
A son.
Penelope knew.
She just had a ‘feeling’.
But we have a son.
We might lose a son.
My heart plummets.
The medic barks, “Scalpel,” and someone slaps it into her hand.
The blue curtain shivers violently, and I finally close my eyes because if I watch, I’ll go insane.
“Billy,” Tolliver says lowly, “you’re bleeding again.”
I look down.
