"Yes," she croaked out.
He easily lifted her off the bed and carried her into the bathroom. Although she was sated, and her wounds healed, she was still incredibly weak. He set her down on the edge of the tub and stripped her bloodied clothes off of her. She watched him in silence, her skin so pale it was nearly translucent and her eyes shadowed.
Blood streaked across her cheekbones, hair, stomach, and thighs. Dark scratches still marred her side. For the first time her naked body didn't bring him to instant arousal. Instead, all he felt was a need to care for her, to protect her, and shield her. He shed his own clothes, scooped her back up, and held her against his chest as he stepped into the tub. He turned the water on and adjusted the temperature before pulling the tab for the shower. The water hit them with stinging hot needles. She rested her head weakly against his chest as the blood flowed off them. The water ran red for a long time as he gently washed it from her hair and body.
Stepping from the shower, he wrapped her within a towel and carried her back to the bed. He crawled in beside her, and pulled her against his side. She curled against him, her tiny hand clinging to his chest as she drifted to sleep. He stared at the ceiling as she breathed steadily; her body was warm and comforting against his side.
CHAPTER 24
Sera tossed the last of her clothes into a box and closed the lid. She was unbelievably tired, and so grateful that the packing was finally complete. The past few months had seemed to stretch on for years. Her classes had been endless, and she had to struggle every minute just to get through them. Where once her whole life had been books and good grades, now it took every ounce of strength she had just to sit through them.
Her nights had been spent with Liam, but the time apart during the day was tortuous. Not to mention the police inquiry into Jacob's disappearance that had lasted for over a week. Liam had wanted to take her away, but she had been determined to stay and face it. If they ran they would look guilty, and without a body there was nothing that the police could do to any of them. Other than Michelle telling the police that she had told Jacob where Sera was, they had no proof that Jacob had ever come to see her. Eventually he had been written off as an unsolved disappearance, and the police had left them alone, and finally so had Michelle.
Sera was unbelievably grateful that they would not be starting their new lives as wanted criminals, on top of the other complications that they already had, and would always have. Their lives were never going to be normal, but she didn't care. They would always be happy.
She turned to Kathleen who was sitting on her bed. For the first time since the beginning of the school year, Kathleen's side of the room was completely clean. "I can't believe it's over," Kathleen murmured.
Sera smiled weakly at her, silently thinking the same thing as she slid onto her bed. "Why don't you come with us?" she asked.
Kathleen smiled wanly. "I don't know; Oregon isn't exactly my idea of a happening place."
Sera absently fiddled with the edge of the box. Oregon had never been her idea of a happening place either, but they had found a house there that was perfect for all of them. It was a large cabin, on a lake, and surrounded by woods. The nearest neighbor was five miles away, and the town only had a population of three hundred. Most people wouldn't even know they were there, let alone bother them. For the first time she had been able to see what their powers were truly capable of as they had been used to help acquire the house.
"It's peaceful there," Sera said.
"I guess, but I thought you wanted to get your masters degree."
Sera didn't know how to tell Kathleen that she wouldn't need her masters, or any other form of education. She had only finished off this year because she had come this far, and stopping mid semester of her senior year had seemed like a waste. Now, she just wanted to hide herself away with Liam and the others. She just wanted to start a new life, to have a home, and a family.
"Not anymore."
Kathleen's eyes were questioning as they met Sera's. She didn't say that she thought Sera was giving up her hopes and dreams for Liam, she had said it often enough in the past couple of months. Then again, Kathleen didn't know what Sera was now. If their roles were reversed, and it was Kathleen in her position, Sera would be thinking the same thing.
Besides, there was something more, another reason why she had to go, why she wanted nothing but shelter, and protection.
"I'll be in California anyway, I'm sure we'll see each other often," Kathleen said.
Sera smiled weakly. "Yeah, I'm sure that we will."
Kathleen looked doubtful. "Well, at least I know I'll like my new roommate, but it won't be the same."
"You and Danielle will have fun. Think of all the parties you guys will go too."
"Yeah, all the parties you're going to miss out on," Kathleen replied pointedly.
Sera smiled as she shook her head. "I couldn't party anyway." Kathleen lifted an eyebrow questioningly. "I'm pregnant Kathleen."
Kathleen's mouth dropped open as she stared at her in surprise. "Sera, are you sure?" Sera smiled as her hand instinctively fluttered to her stomach and the tiny life inside. "How far?"
"Three months."
"How could you not tell me?"
"I wasn't sure until last week."
She couldn't tell her that she had been completely petrified, and unsure of what to think, or do. Unsure of what exactly was growing inside of her. "Does Liam know?"
"He does."
