Page 73 of These Deadly Dreams

I nod, afraid to open my mouth. Taking a deep breath makes me wince. I still ache. Cade’s hand slides higher on my back, and I cry out, twisting away from his touch, as fire-like pain spreads from my spine outward.

“Shit, Ellis. What’s wrong?” He sits up quickly, hands hovering over me like he’s afraid to touch me.

“My back,” I moan.

“Can I lift up your shirt?”

When I nod, he gently grabs the hem of Kai’s shirt I threw on after my shower, and lifts it up. Cool air hits my fevered skin, making me shiver. The fabric sliding over my upper back makes me whimper. It’s like millions of needles are being pricked into my flesh each time the fabric brushes it.

“There’s nothing there,” Cade mutters. Frustration laces his words, and he gently lowers the shirt. He places a hand on my forehead, and his magic sweeps through me like a warm breeze. “Have you taken anything for the fever?”

“I did before I fell asleep. I don’t know how long ago that was. What time is it anyway?”

“I have no clue. I woke up right before you did.”

I glance at him. The dark circles under his eyes are almost gone, but I know he’ll need to eat to fully restore his magic. “Where’s my phone?” I ask, glancing around the room. I spot it on the dresser and make to get up, but Cade puts a hand on my thigh.

“I can get it. Stay here.” He climbs out of bed to get my phone, then sits on the edge. Instead of giving me my cell, he texts Kai himself. “Lay back down, love.” He stands with a heavy sigh and raises his arms over his head to stretch.

I don’t even have it in me to admire his naked body. My eyes are heavy and sandpapery. Each blink burns and a faint throbbing in the back of my skull matches my heartbeat. I feel like shit.

Cade pulls on a pair of sweats that were laying across the chair, and walks to Sterling’s side of the bed. He kneels down and places a hand on his forehead. Violet light flares and sweeps through Sterling’s body. His brow furrows and he pulls his lower lip between his teeth. “I don’t get it,” he mutters.

The chill that sweeps through me has nothing to do with my fever. “What’s wrong?”

He shakes his head and sits back on his heels, eyes crinkled with confusion. Before I can ask him again, Kai pushes through the door.

“Hey, how’re you feeling?” he asks, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Shitty.”

He gives me a small smile and holds out a couple of pills. “Take these. Are you hungry?”

“No.” I swallow the pills with the water he also brought. “Cade won’t tell me what’s wrong with Sterling.”

“There’s something wrong?” Kai asks, turning his attention to the shifter’s still body.

Cade releases a heavy breath. “I don’t know,” he admits grudgingly. “It’s weird. I’ve healed him many times over the years, and I can always get a sense of his wolf lurking in the background. Now, it’s like he’s there but he’s locked behind a door I can’t get through. I really think that’s what’s causing his fever. He needs his wolf.”

“What the hell does that even mean?” Kai asks. “How is his wolf locked away?”

“Sam.”

I whip my head around at the broken, labored whisper. “Sterling,” I say on a shaky breath.

His eyes are half opened, a hint of glacier blue peeking through. His throat works on a swallow and he grimaces.

I grab the cup of water from Kai. “Do you want some water?”

He nods shallowly and Cade helps to lift his head as I tip the cup against his parched lips. He sighs as the water slides down his throat. I pass the cup back to Kai, then brush my fingers over his stubbled cheek.

“What does Sam have to do with your wolf?” I ask quietly.

His arm trembles as he brings his hand up to brace my own on his cheek. “You’re so hot, Kitten,” he mumbles.

“Now’s not the time for flirting,” I say with an exasperated breath. “Why is your wolf locked away?”

One corner of his mouth pulls into a small smile. “Not flirting.” Each word sounds labored, and he has to pause for breath. “Feverish. But you are hot.”

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