Tank’s eyes are glassy. Andi has gone pale. Kristy presses her lips together like she’s trying not to cry. I tighten my hold on Alana’s hand, and she finally loses her battle with composure when a tear slides down her cheek.
Sniffing, I force myself to continue, “Mercs is using the jet to fly home to be with Kiera and Gran. He wants time alone with his family. But he wants us to go on. To continue the tour. And then at Christmas, I’m going to go and spend time with them.” My voice trembles but doesn’t break. “He’s in a world of pain right now. Especially not knowing where things will go with Kiera. It really doesn’t look good. But knowing we’re here for him… that we’ve got his back… that’s what he needs.”
Tank exhales slowly, shaking his head as Andi curls into his side. “I don’t even know what to say to him,” Tank murmurs. “I just can’t believe it. The treatment was supposed to work.”
“I know,” I whisper.
Luke pushes off from where he’s leaning against the table and steps forward, his presence grounding. “It’s horrible,” he says evenly. “But if Mercs wants us to keep going, we do it. We do it for him and for Kiera. She believes inLuminous. She loves this band, this crew… so we keep going. You keep going. You’re all strong, just like she is.” His words steady the room.
I wipe at my cheeks and straighten my spine. “For Kiera,” I say quietly at first.
Then louder. “For Kiera.”
“For Kiera,” they all echo.
We rise together.
And even though the grief is thick in the air, there’s something else there too.
Unity and resolve.
We will carry this forhim.
We will carry this forher.
MERCS
The thought that Kiera is having difficulties is scaring the absolute shit out of me.
I didn’t think it was possible to feel fear like this again. Not after Vex. Not after the alley.
But this? This is worse.This is helpless.
I’m running through the hospital corridors, my breath ragged, my ribs screaming with every stride, but I don’t slow down. The fluorescent lights blur overhead as I try to remember the room number Gran mentioned. My lungs burn, my vision tunnels, and every second feels like it’s slipping through my fingers.
I round a corner and spot Gran speaking quietly to a nurse outside one of the rooms, and the sight of her stops me dead for half a heartbeat.
She looks smaller somehow. Hunched and exhausted, like the weight of the world is pressing down on her shoulders.
My chest squeezes so tight it nearly knocks the air out of me.
No.
No, no, no.
I don’t let myself think as I sprint the last few steps.
“Thank you, Jess,” Gran says to the nurse just as I reach them.
She turns toward me as I grind to a halt, my backpack slipping from my shoulder and hitting the floor at our feet. Her eyes mist instantly, and that alone tells me more than words ever could.
I don’t hesitate to wrap my arms around her, holding her tighter than I have in years. “Tell me she’s okay?” The words are barely controlled.
She holds me just as tightly, but I feel it when she shakes her head. “It’s not good, Kaden. She’s fading so fast…” Her voice wavers as she pulls back to look at me. “It’s bad, sweetheart. I-I’m so glad you got here in time.”
In time.
In time for what?
