Page 31 of Deathless
How was I to answer that? Was there even a name, a term for that fleshy blob thing? Was that the god that had spoken to me, inserted itself into my mind and now possibly my body?
I folded my arms over my stomach as if to protect myself. “It might not have been a sacrifice,” I said, more to myself than anyone else. “But an awakening.”
10
SANTOS
The ride home was long, tense. We left the remains of the bonfire feeling like we had accomplished nothing on this trip. Like we may have been too late.
The closer we got to the safe houses, I became increasingly more worried about Rori. She seemed quiet, withdrawn. On our last day on the road, she also appeared sick. Her complexion was pale, and she began slumping over her bike instead of sitting tall like she usually did.
“Ride with me,” I told her on our last rest stop, less than two hours away from home. “You look like you’re about to fall over.” I pushed a canister of water into her hands.
“So sweet of you to compliment me,” she cracked. Despite her fire being diminished, she still had some energy. “I’m fine, just tired,” she added.
“You look half dead,” I retorted. “I’m genuinely concerned about you being able to drive.”
“Don’t be.” She waved her hand dismissively. “I can ride in my sleep. Besides, I’m not going to abandon my bike out here.”
“Val can get it with her truck later. I’m worried about you, paloma. You really don’t look well.”
I cupped her cheek, which felt too cold against my palm. Touching my lips to her forehead, her skin was cold there too. And clammy.
Rori sighed, leaning her face into my palm as she gazed up at me. “I don’t feel so good, but Ihaveto lead us home. I’ll rest when we get there.”
“I’m telling you that you don’t have to. You can rest now.”
My stubborn woman shook her head, lifting her cheek from my hand. “On the road, I have to be the president. It’s only two hours. I can make it.”
It was my turn to sigh. There was no fighting her when she was this determined. “Fine, but I’m going to be on your ass the whole way home. If your tires wobble once, I’m running you off the road and tying you to my bike if I have to.”
Rori laughed, the sound genuinely amused despite being soft and weaker than usual. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”
“I’m serious, paloma.”
“I know.” She lifted to her tiptoes and kissed under my jaw. “I love you.”
“Love you.” I let my hand trail down her arm, to her back, then her waist as she walked away.
She walked with purpose, a general leading her troops as she re-mounted her bike. It couldn’t have been easy for her, putting on the image of a strong leader while she felt like shit.
Making her life easier was my job, as far I was concerned. Torr would see to the club while she recovered at home, and I would remain at her side for her every need. We just had to make it there first.
It felt like an eternity on the road before our tires crunched on the gravel driveway leading up to the safe houses. And Rori, with her superhuman grit and resolve, did not wobble once.
Torr waited for us in front of the garage. His face looked grim, even before he saw the condition Rori was in. When she pulled to a stop in front of him, he looked just as worried as I felt.
“Welcome home. How did it go? Oh shit!”
Torr ran up to Rori before anyone could answer, because she was pitching over the side of her motorcycle. All of us that had been riding ran up to her in a concerned rush. Most of them hadn’t noticed how bad of shape she was in until now.
“Rori? Rori!” Torr cradled her upper body in his arms while LJ and I carefully removed her legs from their straddle position on the bike.
Once Rori got her feet under her, she started to stand. “Sorry, I’m okay. Feet fell asleep, and I’m a little lightheaded. Just been on the road too long.”
“Why are you so pale?” Torr cupped her cheeks, much like I had. “Are you sick? What’s wrong?”
Just like with me, Rori waved away his concern. “No, no. Just tired. I’m fine, really.”
