“You need to get her to the clinic in Perry,” Willow said, cutting me off. “Where did it bite her?”
“Wrist, left wrist,” I said. “It’s swellin’ up fast…she’s goin’ in and out, talkin’ nonsense. Said she deserved it, like she thinks God sent it.”
“Silas, listen to me,” Willow said firmly. “You’re doing the right thing; just drive as safely as you can and don’t panic. I’m calling ahead now. If, God forbid, you get pulled over…explain what’s happening and they may have antivenom. Ask for CroFab.”
I took a shaky breath. My hand was clenched so tight on the wheel I thought my knuckles might split. I glanced down at June—pale, curled against me, that limbswelling…
I remembered Amelia.
I remembered the pictures, the bite wound, her wide open eyes. The ranger who’d found her said she must’ve tried to walk back to the truck, but she didn’t make it. There was no time.
There was no time.
“Silas,” Willow said. “You hear me?”
“Yeah,” I rasped. “I hear you.”
“I’m going to pass the phone off to Rhett so I can call everyone and we can meet you there,” Willow said. “Just…stay calm, okay?”
“Okay,” I whispered. “Okay…”
The line clicked once, hushed voices in the background, then Rhett’s voice came back. “Hey little brother.”
I didn’t answer. Couldn’t speak. My throat was too tight, words lost.
“You’re not gonna lose her,” Rhett said.
My jaw clenched. I blinked hard, trying to focus on the road, not the slick heat of June’s skin, not the rising panic. “You don’t know that.”
“I know you,” Rhett said. “I know the sound of your voice when you think death’s already won. I heard it the day Amelia died. And I’m telling you…this ain’t that.”
“She looks the same,” I choked out. “Rhett, it’s the same. And I know…I know this is what happened to her out there, but she was alone. Fuck, I can’t imagine?—”
“Hey,” he cut in, firm. “Listen to me. You’re with her, you’re already on top of it. June has youright there.”
I pressed my palm flat against her sternum, feeling the rise and fall. It was too shallow, too slow. “It’s the fucking curse, Rhett. It’s still got us in its grip and she’s gonna die because of it.”
“No,” Rhett snapped. “You don’t get to say that. Not tonight.”
I gritted my teeth, eyes stinging as the headlights caught the edge of a deer crossing sign. “You didn’t see her, Rhett. You didn’t see how it happened. She wasin my bed, what the fuck was a snake even doing in my bed? Why do these freak accidentskeep happening?!”
A sharp inhale broke my panic—not mine,hers.
June stirred in my lap, and I nearly drove us into the ditch again, swerving to steady the truck. I glanced down to find her lips parted, eyes squeezed shut.
“June?” I whispered, panic hitching my breath. “Baby, hey—hey, stay with me?—”
“It’s you,” she rasped. “You again. So bright…”
I tightened my grip on the wheel and on her, blinking fast. Fuck me…I was fucking crying and I didn’t have time for this right now, I needed to drive. “No, June. Hey, you’re here. You’re here with me, alright?”
Her mouth moved but no sound came out.
“I don’t care who you think you’re seein’ right now,” I said, voice cracking. “Don’t fucking follow them.”
“Silas?” Rhett’s voice was distant, desperate. “What’s going on?”
I couldn’t speak at first; my throat wouldn’t cooperate.
