Page 120 of Captured Immune

Trey inspects my arm, then nods his approval. I let out a sigh as I nuzzle deeper into him and rest a hand over his pec. He points at the light switch, and it flips with a click. The room goes dark. A night-light plugged in on the other side of the room illuminates everything just enough for me to not feel like I’m stuck in a box with no exit.

For a while, neither of us says anything. All that fills my ears are the sounds of our soft breaths. I shut my eyes and relish the warmth of being in Trey’s arms again.

I’m about to drift off to sleep when he says, “Babe?”

I don’t open my eyes. “Mmm?”

“I think you’re right.”

“About what?”

His chest rumbles against my face as he says, “The panic attacks. I think that’s what they are too.”

“I’m no doctor, but I’m, like, ninety-nine percent sure that’s what it is. You exhibit all the signs of it. Short breaths. Shaky hands. A blank look in your eyes. You said it started after your parents were killed, which means it probably stems from that trauma.”

“How do I stop it?”

“There’s no way tostopit, really. I think it’s something you just learn to live through and manage until they go away on their own. In the meantime, you could go see a therapist and see if that helps.”

“I’d have to see a zerapist, but yeah, I’ll think about doing that.”

“Ahh,” I say when it clicks. “Because you can’t talk about your world with Ordinaries.”

“Exactly. And because we have different bodily functions, we have to see people like zoctors and zutritionists.”

“But if your car breaks down, can you see a regular mechanic?”

“Yes. There are no such things as zechanics because there aren’t special cars just for Zordis.”

Now that I think about it, that all makes sense.

Trey shifts under the blanket until he’s on top of me. He opens his palm, and a little fireball appears in it. He tosses it into the air, and it hovers above us as he caresses my cheek. I’m grateful that he brought out the flames. I wouldn’t be able to see the intense look in his eyes otherwise.

“I love being able to openly talk to you about my world, baby. I love you so much—with all my heart. I want to marry you and have babies with you and grow old with you. I want it all with you. Say you want it with me too.”

I don’t hesitate. “I do.”

He grips the back of my neck as he drops his mouth over mine. His lips are as eager as his tongue. My hands caress down his bare back as he peppers tender kisses over my neck. I arch my head back and moan as he sucks my skin into his mouth.

In a low voice against my collarbone, he says, “We’re meant to be together, Arella. I know it within the depths of my soul. You’re it for me, and I’ll spend the rest of my life convincing you that I’m it for you too.”

“I don’t need to be convinced, Trey. I already know you’re the one for me.”

He shifts onto his side and props himself up on an elbow. His other hand caresses me behind my ear in little circles. Shadows from his fireball dance across his features as he says, “When this is all over, I’m gonna get you a ring. It’ll be so big, the fucking astronauts will be able to see it from space.”

“That sounds great, honey, but what about?—”

“No. Don’t say it. I know there are logistics, but I don’t care. No zovernment is going to keep me away from you. We can’t get married legally, but I’d love to at least see a ring on your finger. We’ll know what it means, and that’s what matters to me. If you want to have a small ceremony with some friends and your family, we can do that too, just without the paperwork. We can do it wherever you want. I’ll buy everyone plane tickets to Paris if that’s your dream wed—oh!” Trey pops up and slides off the bed. “That reminds me. I have something for you.”

He flips the light on, using his hand this time, then his hovering fireball smokes out. He digs through our backpack to pull out his leather jacket. From the inner pocket, he drags out something shiny.

“My necklace! How did you?—”

“Katie gave it to me. She said she had a vision that made her think Victor might have stolen it, so she took it before he could.”

That Katie, saving the day again. “We owe that girl.”

Trey scoffs. “No kidding.”

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