Page 53 of Venomous Heart
Uril knew he was out of time, and yet, his young mind was focused on showing a brave face instead of begging Ava to go out there and retrieve the Exo-Heart to save his life.
And that was when she took her decision. This was it. It was this incredible courage in one so young and so frail that decided her.
She was done waiting for a miracle. For someone to come and make everything better; pave the way to the remotest corners of Aveyn so she could go in and retrieve what would save Uril’s life.
Arlen might not come back in time. Khal was with him, and Kamal had gone with Aliena for another round of supplies. Ava was alone, truly alone with her burden.
And it changed nothing. She wouldn’t abandon Uril. Not now, not ever.
“Don’t worry.” Ava kissed Uril’s forehead, pushing the heavy locks of black hair off his brow. “I told you. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Uril tried to smile, but exhaustion made his eyelids heavy and soon, he was sleeping again. He would keep on sleeping, she knew… until he slipped through the gap between worlds and fell, never to wake again.
“Stay with him at all times.” Ava locked eyes with Edmila, who blanched under her stare. “I will be back in a few days, a week at most. He should be able to hold on that long.”
“What are you going to do?” Edmila was obviously scared and confused, but Ava didn’t care. She was already halfway through the door.
“What I should have done as soon as I found out where the Exo-Heart was.” Ava turned, burrowing through the medical equipment Arlen had sent from the medical center to Uril’s room. She had everything she needed right here to keep him going as long as she could. “I’m going to retrieve it. I’m done waiting for a miracle.”
When Edmila blinked blankly, Ava showed her the tiny piece of paper with the geographic coordinates written on it. “I know where the Exo-Heart is. I finally found Knut’s vault.”
Ava shoved the paper back into her pocket as Edmila stared at her.
“You can’t go out there alone.” The girl’s voice was shrill and full of panic. “Just wait until Commander Arlen or Captain Khal come back. They will know what to do.”
Ava hurried around the room, retrieving a backpack from Uril’s closet and quickly filling it with a couple of items she would need. Nothing much; a few pouches of food and water rations. A blanket. She wouldn’t need much more.
“Dr. Yrakan is very competent.” It stung, but it was the truth. Ava was used to being the only one who was able to care for her patients, but she wasn’t the only doctor in the Ring—far from it. “He will know how to take care of Uril and the other patients while I’m gone.”
Edmila pursed her lips and her face twisted with anger. Ava paused, then went to the girl. When she reached for her arm, Edmila didn’t flinch.
“I know you think I’m abandoning you.” Ava shook her head, then pulled her hand away. “But I have no choice. I can’t wait for Arlen and Khal to come back. They could be on that Mantrilla ship for days, and then it’ll be too late. None of the other Eoks have been willing to contact Arlen for me.”
Edmila’s anger seemed to vanish and the girl nodded.
“No one but you cares for Uril like I do. You will be all he has left.”
“But how will you do it?” Edmila looked around the room like she would find answers there. There were none to be had. “There are guards around the halls, on the grounds outside. They will catch you before you can leave.”
“They don’t know this place like I do.” Ava smiled, but it was a sad smile. “I’ve been locked up in this house all my life. You think I won’t be able to avoid a few big blue hunks?”
Edmila shot a frightened glance at the door. And at that, Ava’s smile turned predatory. The girl trembled as Ava inched closer.
“Those guards were posted there just a few hours ago; they don’t even know what I look like. Who’s to say you’re not the doctor and I’m not the assistant?”
Edmila’s eyes grew wider as she understood Ava’s plan. She was afraid.
Normally, Ava would take pity on the girl, but pity was a luxury she couldn’t afford. “Keep it up for as long as you can. Do it for Uril.”
Edmila’s mouth trembled, but her eyes went to Uril’s sleeping form on the bed. When she nodded, her mouth didn’t tremble anymore.
Ava didn’t waste any time. She untied her hair to cover her pointed ears, then walked directly to the door and opened it, clutching her small screen to her chest and darting frightened glances at the two tall, muscular Eok guards. They looked down at her with a mixture of boredom and curiosity.
“Goodbye Doctor Ava,” Ava shouted toward the room where Edmila stood by the bed, clad in her identical synthetic cotton uniform. “See you tomorrow.”
As the guards’ eyes went back to staring into the nothingness in front of them, Ava kept walking. She didn’t stop, her steps confident as she made her way through the mansion.
Because the Eoks might have found Knut’s fleet of transports, but they hadn’t found everything. And when they found out she was gone, it would be too late.
