Page 41 of Undead & Unfed

As quietly as possible, Lottie slid down to her knees, her eyes beginning to adjust to the darkness. She couldn’t see Katherine, but she knew a door was directly across from where she was. Smoke thickened in the room as Lottie army crawled her was across the floor. The door slammed open inches from her head. Smoke bombs were thrown into the room. Lottie pushed herself up on her hands and knees, throwing herself out the door as she heard voices yelling her name. Tumbling down the side of the side of the mountain, she quickly realized she’d made a mistake. Lottie slammed into a tree, her mangled body finally still. Being undead didn’t protect your bones.

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Again, Lottie woke up unable to pinpoint where she was. She was draped across an oversized blue sofa, the formal clothes she’d been wearing were in a pile on the carpet next to her. She bent her head only enough to make sure she was wearing clothes. A plain white t-shirt and men’s boxers were enough for her. Lifting a hand to wipe the drool from her mouth she wondered if she’d actually been asleep or if she was concussion.

“Lots,” Selena breathed quietly, notifying other people in the room that she was awake. “How’re you feeling?”

“I’m…I don’t know. Everything hurts but I also feel better than the last time I opened my eyes.”

Selena held her hand. “You were in a medically induced coma. Katherine Bryant tried to kill you.”

Lottie waved her away. “No, I remember. She just roughed me up and slapped me around. Where is Nova? Did anyone find her?”

“Lottie,” Willa came over. “Katherine Bryant injected you with enough proteins to feed a family of six for a year. She actively tried to kill you.”

Lottie shook her head, almost imperceptibly. “No, we talked. She even said she wishes she were a lesbian.”

Willa and Selena exchanged a look.

“I’m not crazy,” Lottie snapped halfheartedly. “Where is Katherine now?”

Another looked passed between the friends. “They pulled her body out of the fire. They took her to Merlin to see if they can save her, but it doesn’t look good.”

Lottie sat up, her head swimming in pain. “Where is Nova,” she pleaded again.

“Here,” a voice called. “I’m here.” Nova dropped to the floor in front of Lottie, blocking anyone else from talking to her. Selena and Willa backed away as the couple reunited but not standing too far away, just to make sure Nova told the entire truth.

Chapter Fifteen

It was three days after all the action happened when Lottie and Nova finally left their room. Selena and Lottie’s other friends called and texted, but no one stopped by, respecting their wishes. After the retreat was canceled, Vance said his goodbyes trough a text, promising to stay in touch. The Jovial too packed up, forcing Lottie to come to the door to bid them farewell, and eliciting a promise to visit Malta within the next five years, specifically to discuss her Jovial seat. Hela hugged her daughter tightly but didn’t make a scene.

The couple had spent their alone time physically and mentally healing, talking, lovemaking, talking some more, resting, and talking even more. While Lottie was overjoyed that Nova had stayed with her despite everything that had happened, she was done dissecting their relationship. Whatever happened, would happen at this point. To Lottie it was as simple as, “I want to do this, you want to do this so let’s do it.” Nova had a lot to unpack. Merlin hadn’t been able to save Katherine. Fire was really the only thing that could destroy them, and she was too far gone before anyone was able to pull her from the cabin. In a few texts, Lottie’s friends had given her more details of what had happened. Katherine did have plans to kill her then she was going to try and flee with Nova. As far as everyone could confirm, Nova was not in on the plan and had no idea what her mother was up to. It was The Jovial who had set the cabin on fire. Their plan was to draw Katherine out, detain her and save Lottie. When Lottie flung herself out of the cabin and down the side of a mountain, the plan changed and The Jovial had left Katherine to save Lottie. McNamara made no apologies for this.

“Are you ready for this?” Lottie asked Nova. Her life had been turned upside down. Maybe she shouldn’t push for her to socialize already.

“I’m fine but I do have a favor to ask.”

“Anything for you,” Lottie linked their hands together.

“I’d like to see my dad.”

Lottie took a step back. “Why?”

Nova sighed. “Lottie, I need closure. I still don’t really understand what happened here. Was my mother involved in everything? Was Cain?”

“Don’t you think it would be better to let everything settle down first?”

“I need to process this to be able to move forward.” Nova wrapped her arms around Lottie’s neck.

“Lots! Nova!” Selena came around the corner. “I’m so happy to see you both have come up for air. How’s everyone feeling today?” Selena hugged them both. “Let’s go, everyone is waiting for us.” Selena walked forward, guiding the couple into the Poisonous Bean where all of Lottie’s friends waited.

###

“This was nice. Thanks for putting it together,” Lottie said to Selena when they were at the counter getting around round of coffee.

“We’re worried about you, Lots.”

“I’m fine. I’m just worried about Nova. I don’t think she’s handling everything as well as she’s letting on.”

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