I’d almost forgotten about the state of the blood center. That was my next course of action. I wanted to see the damage for myself if I was able to. I needed to check with Babs and see what the chances of being able to sift through the remains were.
“I’m planning a press conference tomorrow at the blood center,” Wallace said as he and Exo headed to the front door. “I’m going to officially announce ORBIT and our plans of action. I’d be great if the two of you were there.”
Kroven looked down at me for an answer, but my smile was easily read. “We’ll be there.”
They quickly left and I pulled Kroven into my arms at the first chance I got. He groaned into my touch as I looked into his beautiful unique eyes.
“I’m glad you were able to soothe things over with Exo.”
“Me too.” Kroven let out a deep sigh. “I still need to work through my emotions connected to the past, but that was a lovely start.”
“What was it that you called him?”
He smirked. “Klashayf. It’s the highest honorific you can give to a male friend. It means blood brother.”
“That’s so sweet.” I made a sad face, a faux display that the sentiment made me want to cry.
“Enough teasing,” He laughed, sweeping me into a quick kiss. “We have days of orgasms to make up for and you know I prefer doing the teasing.”
Chapter 30
Seeingthe damage of the blood center had been harder to taken in than I’d been expecting. While there wasn’t enough exterior damage for there to be holes in the walls or anything of that nature, the smoke damage seeped through the interior, coloring the outside walls in a dark grime that couldn’t be easily wiped away. This place meant so much to me. It’d been the most stable job I’d ever had, until the protestors had taken away that safety.
Kroven and I had arrived early, so that I could scope out the damage with Wallace, as he collected more visible evidence for his bosses to prove that they needed ORBIT to actively change the way Orbs were protected in the future. Exo observed from afar, as did Babs, who’d I’d texted about Wallace’s press conference, knowing that she’d want to be in attendance. I kept looking back at the oddly placed pair, seeing several exchanging glances between them. I recognized them from the ones I shared with Kroven.
But I could play matchmaker later. I wanted to focus on how close I’d come to not escaping death. If it hadn’t been for Babs’ adamance to see me safe, I might not have been here to be atthis press conference. That cold, hard truth was hard to make amends with.
An hour later, the press conference was about to start. It was a little alarming how fast the little stage had been erected so that Wallace could overlook the crowd and address everyone from behind the provided podium. Quite the crowd had accumulated, stretching around the block in leagues of people of all different shapes, sizes, colors, and species. The pessimist in me wondered how many of them were the protestors braving their luck to see what was going to be said. The optimist in me had hope for the future unity of all beings on Earth.
I wanted the latter to win by a landslide.
Babs had the honor of being a part of the conference by way of introducing Wallace, and I clapped extra hard as she approached the podium and spoke into the microphone.
“Thank you for coming out today. My name is Babs Jillian and I’m the supervisor here at the Gossamer Avenue Blood Center.” Her eyes swept the crowd, her lips shifting into a smile when she found me and Kroven in the crowd. We were perfectly in the middle, and I felt Kroven’s hand worm its way into mine so that my smile mimicked hers.
“I’ve worked at this blood center since it opened back in 2010 with the passing of the Creature Protection Act. Since then, me and my fellow attendants have been dedicated to helping both humans and Orbs get the treatment they need, no matter what their background or sickness level might be. A horrific act was done to not just the two blood centers in Piper, but up and down the coast from people who think that Orbs shouldn’t be catered to by humans.
“This isn’t what it means to be kind. This isn’t what it means to be human. Once we realize we’re stronger together, humans and Orbs working together side by side, only then will all of us feel truly free.”
Babs’ words brought tears to my eyes. To address a crowd ofthis size with that message felt so powerful to be a part of. You could feel the energy crackling in the air. I hoped that if there were any of the protestors amongst the crowd that they were choking on it.
“Normally, this blood center, as I’m sure most of the blood centers that were attacked, doesn’t have a lot of funds at their disposable. What happened here would not only take an estimated two months to be fully functional again, but myself and my co-workers would be financially unsupported during this time.” Babs’ frown shapeshifted into an exuberant grin. “However, I am delighted to announce that an anonymous donor has given this blood center and all those affected by the riot brought forth by protestors enough funds to have all blood centers up and down the coast open and operational by as early as next week!”
Babs’ grin widened as the crowd applauded, my own hands instinctively joining suit. My hands slowed as Babs looked over directly at Kroven and I and gave us a wink as she applauded.
Jarred by the action, I spun my head to look at Kroven. He was clapping with a wild grin broadening his handsome face, but those gorgeous red eyes met mine in an instant.
“Did you donate the money for the blood centers?”
He didn’t answer me with words. Kroven gave a shrug, as if he had no idea, but the wicked curve of his lips didn’t leave as his eyes darted upwards in a show of feigning knowledge. My heart soared. How much money must that have cost him? To not just fund this blood center but to make sure all of them could open as soon as possible? Tears danced in the corners of my eyes.
“How much money do you actually have?”
Kroven laughed as the crowd began to die down the applause. “Enough that I won’t miss it.”
I pulled him into a hug, my heart doubling over as his arms wrapped around me. By the time I reverted my attention backto the podium, Exo was there next to Babs. It was then that I definitely saw a spark of something pass between them as she stepped aside to let him speak.
“On behalf of the entire sangamar community, we would like to let the anonymous donor know that we are forever humbled by your dedication to treating sangamar as you would humans. Thank you so much.”
