Page 60 of Risking Immortality

Breaking free from my father’s vice grip, I run to her side, dropping to my knees. Placing my forehead against hers, I calm my breathing and listen. Tuning everything out, I concentrate on her sweet voice. She’s calling my name. “I’m here,” I whisper. “I’m right here, my love.”

“Am-Amelia?” Opening my eyes, I stutter a laugh in relief when blue eyes meet my own.

“Erin.”

“What happened?”

“Can you move?” There is plenty of time for explanations. I need to know I haven’t paralyzed her or something. Her body slowly wiggles. She pushes herself up, and that’s when I remember she’s naked with a bunch of people looking at her. Tugging the sheet, I draw it up and under her arms as she moves. I stack the pillows behind her back.

“Wow,” she finally says. “That was a trip.”

“She seems okay to me,” Lucille grins. I shoot a sharp look over my shoulder.

“How do you feel?” I ask.

“Amazing. Amelia, did… did you feel that?”

“Yes, I felt it.”

“Did we… bond?”

“Yes.” I cup her perfect face in my hands and kiss her softly. My heart is still racing, and my adrenaline is pumping. “But you seized and then passed out.”

“I’m not surprised. That was intense.”

“Damn, Amelia, who knew you were that good in the sack?” Lucille cackles.

“Out,” I bark. “Everyone out.”

“Amelia,” Erin soothes. “I’m okay.” I haven’t even checked to see if everyone has left as I ordered. My eyes remain fixed on Erin.

“I thought, God, Erin, I thought I’d lost you.”

“No, my love. Just the opposite.”

Twenty-Three

“Amelia, you are driving me crazy!”

“I’m just being cautious.”

“I. Am. Fine!”

“Erin, less than twelve hours ago you were seizing in my arms. That is not being fine!”

“Dr. Mendhi has checked me out from head to toe. He says I’m good, and I say I’m good. How about you listen?”

“Dr. Mendhi, pfft, don’t say that name to me.”

“Oh, calm down. I get you’re pissed with him, but let it go.”

“Let it go. He withheld extremely important information from me. And you could have died. Erin, I don’t think that’s something we should simply let go of.

“Okay, fine, stay pissed at him, but please stop hovering over me.”

“I’m not hovering.”

“You won’t let me get out of bed. I’m fine, Amelia. I can walk and talk. Nothing hurts.”

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