I rubbed my eyes. “Mission members?”
“Maybe. There are rumors of a group of enemy vampires running around, but there are so many people here that it’s hard to check everybody. It’s going to take days to vet all the refugees.”
“What if Mad Dog got through?” Kallie worried.
“Or Esther.” My guts revolted at the thought of her. They were the only antidemigods left now that we’d killed Deuce and Naya, and we hadn’t been able to locate them during the battle, if they were there at all.
“We’re going to know if Esther and Mad Dog show up, because they’ll start causing chaos right away, but I’m more worried about these vampires. We don’t know why they’re here or what they’re up to.” Marcus frowned. “The enemy you don’t know is more dangerous than the enemy you do. Maybe they just want to hide from The Mission, and from us, but they’re still unpredictable, which means we won’t know what they’re planning until they spring it on us. Then we won’t be able to do anything about it.”
“They’re not going to be able to move once day breaks, because they’ll have to hide from the sun. It’s still nighttime, so this is the only shot they have at getting away. Find them,” I demanded.
Marcus and Kallie left to hunt down whoever had broken through. I sank against my chair, and Abigail eyed me. “Empress, you’ve done all you can. You need to get some rest.”
There was that word again. Empress. “I haven’t been crowned an Empress, Abigail. People shouldn’t be calling me that.”
“But you are one all the same, no matter what Cameron says,” Abigail stated. “Word is already spreading around the city of your great deeds. Even the guards, the servants and the council members within the palace are calling you Empress. People are giving you the title without the formalities of a coronation. There hasn’t been an Elvish Empress in many decades, but your subjects have decided you are one now. Take the title as your own.”
Cameron would probably throw a fit, but I didn’t care. He couldn’t stop it now, especially not if the entire empire had taken to making that my name. “Fine. But that doesn’t mean I can quit.”
“You defeated our enemies, led the fae out of Fasva, and destroyed one of the most powerful demigods in Doctor Taurus’ arsenal. You deserve to rest,” Abigail insisted. “Let your friends handle the remainder of what needs to be done.”
I couldn’t help that my bones were sagging into this chair, every thread of my muscles screaming for relief. I’d pushed myself beyond my limits, and if I kept it up, I’d pass out. “Very well. I’ll leave, but I’m coming back in the morning.”
“It’s nearly morning now, Empress,” Abigail remarked. I sighed.
“Ez,” I called as I passed the medical tent. “I’m going home. You’re coming with.”
“You can’t make me,” he groaned, though I watched him sway on his feet. He was as close to fainting as I was.
“Guess what, people have decided I’m the Empress now, so actually, I can. Get your ass in the car.”
He didn’t protest, because he didn’t have the energy to. He dragged himself to me before placing his hands on my shoulders, a white sheen filling the air. I felt the searing pain in my spine dwindle to an end and the ache in my muscles melt away.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Healing you.” Ez’s eyes narrowed as he worked. A few sweat droplets dripped down his brow.
“You nearly killed yourself fixing Charlie! Stop!” I demanded. I tried to push him off, but his hands stayed put.
“I have time to handle a flare-up. You don’t.” Ez was stubborn, but I felt his fingers start to tremble.
“We both have needs. You have to save what magic you have left for yourself.”
“I can take a week to stay in bed, but there’s no time for you to recover. We all need you at your best.”
The last of his magic faded to a tiny spark. He was completely out. I knew what Ez had given to me. He’d be stuck in bed for days recovering, unable to eat and in unimaginable pain while his magic slowly recovered. This would be the worst of his illness, and he’d done it for me and Charlie.
We didn’t deserve a brother like him. Always, Ez was infinitely good. There couldn’t be a more wholesome soul in all the world.
There was a van waiting for us by the edge of the beach. Eldin was dutifully there, and she took us back to the palace. My bones were aching by the time I exited the military vehicle. I could barely navigate my chair through the gardens, but Ez was worse. He needed to lean on Eldin in order to make it through the front door. He’d far past exerted himself, and I was pissed at him for doing it.
“I need to go to the hospital,” Ez mumbled, swaying on his feet.
“Most of the healers are down at the camp, so how do you expect to get any help?” I asked sourly.
“The refugees need their healing magic more, but the nurses can give me fluids, and… electrolytes.” He gagged, turning pale.
“A few months of medical school and suddenly you’re an M.D. Right this way, Doctor Mitoh.”
