“I do.” The male voice became agitated.
“I’m tired of living a lie, Josiah! Of always having to pretend. Don’t you see? That’s no way to live.”
“It’s the only way, Sister.”
Real tears fell from Eden’s eyes as she opened her lids and stared straight ahead. Though Alex was standing directly in her line of sight, he knew she couldn’t see him.
“No.” The girl’s voice suddenly became steady. Determined. “It’s not.”
Eden extended her left arm straight out in front of her, palm-up. In her right hand, she held the corner of the card against the sensitive skin at her wrist.
“Mary Grace, no! You’ll be damned to Hell!”
“I’m already in Hell,” Eden whispered sadly. “I’m sorry, Josiah. I need to be free.”
Acting as if it were a razor, she moved the card’s edge up along her arm toward the inside of her elbow. Then, she repeated the same motion with her right wrist.
Horrified, Alex watched as Eden’s eyes rolled back into her head. Within seconds, she was falling.
“Eden!”
He rushed over, his arms sliding beneath her just in time to keep her upper body from hitting the tiled floor. On his knees, Alex gently cradled her head in his lap.
With a knot in his gut, he studied Eden’s still, limp body. Her shallow breaths moved at an even pace, reminding him of a similar, terrifying scene.
Please, no. Not again.
“Eden? Sweetheart, wake up.” He waited a beat, but she didn’t move. “Come on, baby. Open your eyes.”
Alex’s worried gaze shot to Garrett’s. He was about to tell his partner to call for an ambulance when a soft moaning sound escaped the back of Eden’s throat.
“I think she’s coming around.” Garrett nodded toward her.
When he looked back at her, Alex realized the other man was right. Eden’s eyelids were fluttering and after another moan, she opened them completely.
“Welcome back.” He smiled down at her, doing his damnedest not to show how worried he really was.
“Hey,” she whispered back weakly.
“You gave us quite a scare.”
“Sorry.” Eden’s mouth turned slightly upward.
Feeling as though he could breathe again for the first time since she’d touched that damn card, Alex filled his lungs before exhaling slowly.
“Help me up,” she ordered, trying to stand.
“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Garrett asked, hovering over them both.
Eden nodded. “I’m all right.”
Despite his desire to take her home and force her to rest, Alex recognized the determined look all too well. With clearer eyes, Eden rolled awkwardly from his lap before taking his hand and carefully making her way back to her feet.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” With his hands at her elbows, his eyes scanned her from head to toe, giving her a quick once-over.
“I’m good.” She nodded again. After blowing out a deep breath of her own, Eden added, “Really. I’m fine, now.”
Trusting that she was being truthful, Alex released his hold and took a small step backward, giving her some room.
