My eyes immediately go to Niki’s recliner, which is empty, and my stomach pitches toward the floor.
“Joseline?” The sound slices through my panic, and I look up to see Ashten making her way out of the bedroom at the back. She’s dressed in all black, and her long pink braids are pulled into a ponytail. There’s no mistaking the worry in her dark eyes.
“Is she okay?” I ask, my throat tight. I’m afraid to knowthe answer.
“They’re keeping her pretty stable.” She attempts a smile and fails. “Emrys is in there now.”
I want to tell her how much I appreciate her taking care of my best friend, but all I can manage is a feeble thank you. Panic overrides my thoughts, and my feet take over. I hurry past her to the bedroom where Niki is tucked in with her eyes closed.
Emrys stands next to the bed with her hand between both of his. He’s dressed in casual clothes, but all of his skin is still covered. His brassy steampunk mask hides his face. When I step into the room, his gaze shifts in my direction, his green eyes meeting mine.
A million questions come to mind, but I can't figure out how to make words at the moment.
Thankfully, Emrys must understand, because he gently places Niki’s hand on the blanket and approaches me with a few slow steps.
“She's conscious, but only just,” he explains, keeping his voice soft. “We plan to take turns bringing her energy every couple of hours to keep her in this state so she can rest.”
“She's… she's going to stay like this?”
My gaze shifts to Niki’s form. She looks so weak, so pale. So sick, even though it's not a disease ravaging her body. It's a parasitic baby feeding on her like a buffet.
“It's not ideal, but we can't keep up with the energy demand to keep her fully conscious,” he explains slowly. “When she goes into labor, we'll start pumping energy into her as much as we can, but…”
My chest seizes at his hesitation, and I already know what he's going to say.
“Even then, it may not be enough.” He hangs his head slightly.
His words are like a punch to the gut.
“She was fine last night,” I whisper, thinking about the way she looked before I left for the club.
How did she go downhill so quickly?
Why did she have to wait until I wasn’t here?
Emrys rests a hand on my shoulder, his eyes full of sympathy as they meet mine. Immediately, some of my nervous energy abates. Rather than biting his head off for siphoning my energy like I might have Tobias, I’m relieved. I’m also able to think a little clearer.
“Thank you,” I say softly. “For everything.”
He dips his head before turning to leave the room, and I kick my shoes off at the foot of the bed. Without invitation, I crawl up the mattress and settle beside Niki, unable to take my eyes off her. She looks so peaceful as she sleeps, aside from the dark circles under her eyes and slightly hollowed cheeks.
“Niki,” I whisper, reaching to brush her hair back. I don’t know if she can hear me or not; maybe she really is sleeping and talking to her is pointless. I try anyway. “You’re not allowed to leave me. You know that right? You can rest and save your strength, because you’re gonna need it when that baby gets here.”
I try to force a smile, but my bottom lip wobbles. Deep down, I don’t know if I believe the words I’m saying—she already looks so fragile—but if I expect her to hang on, I also have to stay strong. I can’t give up just because the odds seem stacked against her.
The fact that she even met Sebastian in the first placewas such a bizarre coincidence. Like the stars lining up to bring them together.
There’s no way her story ends now.
It can’t.
Maybe I’m being selfish because I can’t imagine my life without her, but I need her to fight. For me, for her boyfriend, for this baby that’s trying to kill her.
“I’m gonna be right here.” I brush her hair back again. “We’re in this together, Nik. I’m not going anywhere.”
Her eyelids flutter briefly, and my heart shoots into my throat. Maybe she’s not sleeping after all, and she's just too weak to open her eyes. The thought breaks my heart, but at the same time gives me a sense of hope. Almost like she’s agreeing to fight.
“You’re going to make it through this.” Leaning forward, I press my forehead to hers and close my eyes to keep them from burning. “You’re going to be okay, I promise.”
