Page 102 of Never Leave Me
Who had placed it in Reider Castle? How and why?
He shook his head. It didn’t matter. At the moment, all thatmattered was giving Ellen the second dose of holy water so that she could live. He had to do it now, before she woke up and protested. She wouldn’t take it if she knew they only had one bottle, not when it would mean she’d live while he died.
He wiggled the cork stopper, pieces crumbling away. “Help me give this to her.”
Sybil removed a pocketknife from the inside of her jacket and seconds later had cleared out the cork.
Harrison lifted it to Ellen’s lips while Sybil gently propped Ellen up. As the liquid trickled into Ellen’s mouth, she shifted as though she might be waking. But as soon as she swallowed the holy water, she released a deep, almost contented, sigh.
They laid her back, and Sybil straightened, stuffing her hands into her jean pockets.
“Many thanks, Sybil.”
She nodded curtly. “Do you still need one more? For you?”
He shrugged. “You were lucky to find this. I doubt you’ll find another.”
“I can have another look.”
“May as well crack on.”
She was silent for a beat. “I admit I don’t believe everything you claim about the holy water. But I do know it has some sort of power.”
“As deluded and fabricated as everything may sound, I appreciate your commitment to finding Ellen.”
“I’m just glad we got to her in time.”
“You’ve done excellent work and labored tirelessly on this case. I plan to make sure everyone knows.”
“Not necessary. I didn’t do it for the recognition.”
“Even so, you deserve a promotion and raise.” Before she could protest, he continued. “No matter what happens to me, promise you’ll do everything possible to keep Ellen safe from Dr. Lionel.”
Sybil’s gaze narrowed on him.
“Please?”
“I won’t rest until we catch Dr. Lionel.”
The tension eased from his shoulders. As much as he appreciated Arthur Creighton’s brilliance in discovering the power of the holy water in curing disease, he was coming to the conclusion that the holy water was best left undisturbed.
While he couldn’t deny the miracles he and Ellen had experienced, perhaps the truest miracle was that he was learning to be braver in loving. He’d been whole and healed, and he’d still held back. He couldn’t do that anymore. He had to abandon caution, stop waiting for the perfect conditions, and go after love anyway.
Whatever the case, once Dr. Lionel was caught and jailed, hopefully all the talk of the ultimate cure and holy water would die away just as it had in the past. It was better that way.
After Sybil left, he watched Ellen’s face, feeling suddenly tired. He started to push himself up and transfer to the bedside chair, but at a soft sigh from Ellen, he stopped. Her expression remained peaceful and unchanged. And suddenly all he wanted to do was lie down and spend his last hours on earth right by her side, so that the memory of her would be with him into eternity.
He lowered himself beside her, careful not to touch and waken her. He tried to keep his eyes open, but the moment his head hit the pillow, sleep claimed him.
27
ELLENSTIRREDANDSTRETCHED, only to find arms tightening about her.
A strange panic coursed through her. After everything she’d experienced, what was happening now?
Her eyes flew open and connected with a solid chest clothed in a waistcoat and dress shirt.
Harrison. She released a breath. Somehow, Harrison had ended up in bed next to her.
