Page 4 of Captive Lies

“Grant,” he returned. The tea momentarily warmed him, but it didn’t take long for his body to quake with chills again. “Feel likeshit.”

“I’ve already given you some meds,” she informed him and then a crease marred her forehead. “Your fever’s not breaking. If the roads were open, I’d take you to a hospital, but the blizzard has shut everything down. What were you doing out thereanyway?”

Shit, his family must be worried.Oh, fuck.Val.

“My sister. Did you see mysister?”

“You’re the only person wefound.”

Grant pushed the blankets aside and attempted to get up. “She’s out there. She’s … fuck.” He fell back as if a magnet yanked him flat on the mattress.What the fucking hell?His muscles weighed like lead and whatever strength he had initially deserted him. He fought to keep his eyesopen.

“You need torest.”

“Phone?” hemuttered.

“Cellular service isdown.”

He rallied against the drowsiness but it was a losing battle. “What was in thattea?”

“I didn’t poison you if that’s what you’re asking,” came the pertreply.

“Sass,” he said. “I want to kiss that mouth.” He felt the corners of his mouth tip up. “I’d be fucking anangel.”

“You’redelirious.”

“Cold,” Grant murmured. “Sleep withme.”

He was submerged under water,tangled in a net, his lungs close to bursting and he couldn’t get to Val. She was right beside him, eyes closed. She had given up the struggle momentsago.

“Val!” he yelled. Painful spasms followed the gurgling sound of hisvoice.

He wasdrowning.

“No!” Grant came awake to darkness andflame.

“It was a dream,” a calming voice told him. He tried to rise but hands pressed down against his shoulders as confusion overpowered his foggybrain.

He needed to save Val. She was going todrown.

“Val,” hecroaked.

“Grant, do you know where youare?”

“Water’s freezing,” he told thevoice.

“Shit. Okay, holdon.”

“My sister … why … why is there fire in thewater?”

No response. There was a rustle of clothes followed by a presence wrapping him in a shroud ofcomfort.

“Shh …”

“Saveher.”

“Grant,sleep.”

“I can’t … need to saveher.”

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