Page 83 of Ensnared
He must’ve walked up while I was distracted, because his voice comes from right behind me. “Antibiotics, suture kits, casting supplies, and anything else we can find.”
“I’ll send a few of my men with you,” I say.
“Or your women,” Coral says. “They can be tough, too.”
This time, my eyes do well with tears. “They sure can.”
“What’s wrong?” Jade steps closer. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I fight my hardest to restrain myself from crying. “I’m really good, actually. But I might need a big hug this morning, okay?”
I love these little guys so much. They don’t pry with questions—they just pile on and hug me. One of the best things about small children is their acceptance. It’s the reason they have to be protected so vigilantly, but it also makes them adaptable.
After I finally release them, I say, “I love you guys. You know that, right?”
Jade frowns. “You’re being weird.”
“Mom loves you, too.”
“Jade’s right,” Coral says. “What’s going on?”
“I saw Mom yesterday.” Now I’m full-on crying. “She’s—her dragon isn’t very nice, and she’s forcing Mom to be really mean, too.”
“Oh, no,” Jade says. “That must be horrible for her.”
I hadn’t even thought about that, how Mom must be feeling right now after trying to kill her own daughter. “Yes, I think you’re right.”
It must be pretty hard on Jade too, being an empath in the world we’re living in. I squeeze her hand. “You’re such a sweetheart. Try your hardest to let go of other people’s pain. Okay?”
“Are you about to do something?” Coral asks. “Because you’re still saying weird stuff.”
“No, she’s just having trouble with seeing your mom,” Gideon says. “Here. Stand up.” He taps my shoulder.
It’s the reminder I need. They can’t know what’s going on. I wish they could just stay here, but we have very little time before that nuke hits. “Alright, I’m going to run and talk to Gordon, so you guys grab bags and get ready to go with Gideon. Okay?”
“Bags?” Coral frowns. “Why?”
“To carry the medicine, duh.” Gideon smiles. “Actually, I’ll go grab your bags. You go make sure that you fed Fluff Dog.”
My head whips toward his, and I shake my head. They can’t take her. It would be too obvious.
He nods slowly. He already knows.
Once the kids are out of earshot, he says, “Please reconsider coming. If Axel’s busy with the convocation, he won’t come after you right away. We could get away before the bomb hits.”
“If it kills them, I’ll die in front of the kids. And if it doesn’t kill them, Axel will come after me, and we’ll all die.” I shake my head. “No. I have to stay either way.”
Gideon steps closer, so close that his mouth is bare inches away from mine. “Liz, if I don’t see you again—you need to hear it.”
I shake my head. “I can’t.”
“I love you.” His eyes are intent on mine. “I’ve loved you for years, and I always thought we had time. I wish I’d quit before. Way before.” His finger touches my lips. “I wish so many things. Maybe you wouldn’t have been at that carnival.”
“My siblings would have died without me there,” I say.
“Maybe—I don’t know anything, except that this is all wrong.” He closes his eyes and sighs. “I want the world to go back to the time when I was the scariest thing out there. I want all this to go away.”
“Maybe it will in a few hours.”
