I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, for Hudson to wake up and realize the mistake he was making.
“Cora.”
Speak of the devil. Wait. That was in poor taste, given I spoke to the actual devil more times than I’d like.
“You can release them now. You did it. They’re safe.”
The stars blazed brighter. So pretty. So delicate. So much potential. I liked them here, where I could watch over them.
“Let them go.”
No. I have to keep them safe forever. This world would tear them apart. I could protect them. I tugged at the stars in the sky, and they lurched closer to me.
The beast inside me raised her head to stare at the souls in our care.
“Unless you’re ready to reap souls, I suggest you release them.”
Reap? No, I was just caretaking them. I pulled them closer. Just a little more and they would be safe forever.
“Your funeral, but our mate won’t be impressed if you take fifteen shifter children after you just saved them.”
Children? Oh… I released the tether immediately, and they sprung back into the night sky.
My body grew heavy, and I sank beneath the surface of the water. The dark overtook my vision, and my lungs burned as Iwas dragged lower and lower. My ears buzzed with pressure, and I had the irrational thought that my brain was about to explode.
Suddenly, the heaviness lifted, and I dragged in a ragged breath. My eyes flipped open to connect with hazel ones I would forever dream about. My hand came up and wrapped around his neck.
“You’re here.”
He leaned down and pressed his forehead against mine. “And you are in so much trouble.”
I twisted my head to look around the room. We were on one of the sofas pushed against the wall of the makeshift ward. Parents of the ill children crowded the room, but they weren’t looking at their offspring—they were staring at me with looks of reverence on most of their faces. Dave, on the other hand, was scowling. Nothing unusual there. Liz frowned from her position next to him against the wall.
Norbert cut off my vision as he stepped in front of them and tilted his head. “How are you feeling?”
“Like death warmed up.” I almost snorted at the joke. “How are the kids?”
Norbert gave me a forced smile. “Right as rain. They are just heading home. Their fevers broke, and their rashes have all but disappeared.”
The door opened and the quiet rumblings of shifters grew distant as they left the pack house. I could feel the lives I’d held in my palms drifting away and part of me rebelled against their absence.
Norbert checked me over while I laid in Hudson’s lap.
“Let me up,” I coaxed.
Hudson shook his head, his jaw ticcing. “No.”
My eyes skittered down his shirt. There was blood splatter on the collar. “What happened?” I asked as Norbert took my blood pressure.
Hudson’s face crumpled into a frown. “What happened? You put yourself at risk. Again. You walked the edge of death for other people.”
“Your people,” I reminded him. It wasn’t like I was jumping around in a random place, outing myself and my abilities, both new and old.
Norbert leaned back with a sigh. “You are physically fit and well, but I would suggest some sleep and food to replenish what you have lost. I kept an IV going while you were unconscious so you didn’t dehydrate.”
“How long was I out?”
Norbert met Hudson’s eyes, and with a nod, he turned on his heel and marched out the door. My aunt and Dave had also left, leaving me alone with The Principal.
