Page 75 of Healing Creek
Grace was on the floor. Her limbs thrashed and convulsed, as if she battled an invisible demon.
Jennifer and Feeona were on their knees beside her. Their voices blurred into a frantic cacophony of concern. Their hands reached out in a desperate attempt to anchor Grace to the floor. Yet, their touch seemed to barely buffer the thrashing. Confused, Creek dropped to the ground beside Grace. “What’s happening?”
Time stretched, each second feeling like an eternity. His woman had become a blur of frenetic motion. And through it all, she remained locked in place. She stared sightlessly as if weathering the tumult with quiet strength beyond his comprehension.
Jennifer lifted her head to meet his gaze. “She’s having a seizure!” She screamed it at him as if he’d caused it. Then it hit him. Maybe he had.
“She gave me her blood.”
Jennifer shook her head as if she could deny the truth. “Oh, God. How much?”
Then, as suddenly as it began, the storm in Grace’s body subsided. The convulsions ebbed away and she lay limp except for her heaving breath. Jennifer’s shoulders slumped as if exhaustion had caught her, too.
She and Feeona both released Grace and breathed out their relief. Creek could not. He didn’t know if this was just a short reprieve or the prelude to something more. She’d told him her medi-bots would rebuild in her body bringing her back to full strength, but what if that wasn’t true. What if he was going to lose her.
“Grace.” He didn’t know what to say. How could he ask her if she was dying. And if he did, how could he be sure she wouldn’t lie.
She reached for him and he took her hand. “It’s okay. I promise. I know it looks scary, but it’s over now.
He just stared at her, unable to speak. Her beautiful blond hair was a mess, and her cheeks were as pale as death.
“Can you at least carry her?” Jennifer’s voice dripped accusation and when he looked into her face, he could see the horror and blame written there, even more obvious and ugly than the bruises. This was his fault.
He lifted his chin and howled then listened for the answering howls. When he heard Mercury’s response, he scooped Grace into his arms.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “It’s not as bad as she’s making it sound. And it’s only temporary. I promise.”
Creek said nothing and she sighed. He couldn’t smell a lie, but what if he was wrong? He took in a deep breath and searched for the scent of danger.
Feeona had the gun and she appeared alert for trouble. A look of understanding passed between them and he let her clear the exterior door before he carried Grace out and into the jungle.
Following with Jennifer, Feeona whispered to her ship. “Alfred, we’re coming out. Rendezvous in ten.”
When they reached the clearing, theHawleywas coming in for a landing. They hung back in the trees until it was safely down.
Grace touched his face and he flinched. “You’re scowling.”
He heard her words through the blood rushing in his ears. She could die. That fact hadn’t left his mind. He’d believed in his butterfly’s strength, but it was all a lie.
The ship’s ramp came down and he carried her inside and directly to the cramped emergency med-bay. He laid her carefully on the med-bed then stepped back. Jennifer pulled the overhead monitors into position and snatched a hypo-injector from a neatly labeled compartment. She pulled open another drawer and her hand hovered over the small cylinders.
“Damn it. There’re no anti-seizure meds.”
Grace grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Of course not. This is an emergency bay for trauma. Not neurological disorders. Stop panicking.” She sat up and swung her feet off the bed. She reached for Creek. “Help me stand up.”
“No.”
She opened and closed her hand, waiting for him to take it. “I’ll do it on my own if you don’t help.”
Feeona leaned in through the doorway. “Is she okay?”
“Yes,” said Grace.
“No,” said Creek.
Feeona’s eyebrows shot up. “Well, that clears it up.”
“She needs medical care,” said Jennifer.
