“Okay… okay,” I muttered to myself and rushed to her bed, leaned over her. “Aria,” I said, shaking her gently at first. “Hey, baby, wake up.”
Nothing.
A spike of panic shot through me. I pulled the blanket back and scooped her into my arms, her long legs and arms dangling awkwardly off me. She was warm—thank God—but limp, her head lolling against my shoulder.
“Aria, come on,” I urged, patting her cheek lightly. “I need you to wake up for me.”
Still nothing.
My head swam, that same creeping dizziness clawing its way back. With Aria in my arms, I went toward the window and inhaled a deep breath. I hoped Aria was breathing fresh air too.
From the bathroom came a muffled thud and a curse.
“Lykos?” I called, fear snapping sharp in my chest.
“I’ve got him!” he shouted back, his voice strained. “Get out of the house.”
I tightened my grip on Aria and staggered toward the door, forcing my legs to move. One step. Then another. The hallway beyond blurred at the edges, the walls seeming to tilt.
“Lykos, hurry,” I called, my voice breathy and weak as I descended the stairs. How many damn steps did this house have? They seemed to go on forever.
Behind me, I heard heavy footsteps and I glanced over my shoulder. It was Lykos, carrying Dimitros over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Not that he had much of a choice with Dimitros being a sturdy teenager.
“He’s out cold,” he said, breathing hard. We were finally in the foyer. “We need to get out of here. Now!”
“I know.” My fingers tightened around Aria as I fumbled for the front door handle. It felt strangely distant, like my hands didn’t quite belong to me.
The latch stuck.
“No, no, no… Come on,” I whispered, yanking it harder.
The door finally gave out, swinging open as air rushed in again, stronger this time.
“Outside,” Lykos urged, right behind me. “Don’t stop.”
I stumbled out, sucking in a desperate breath as the world tilted and I nearly collapsed, my knees threatening to give way beneath me.
But I never let go of my baby.
THIRTY
LYKOS
The night air tore into my lungs, dissolving the haze left behind by the gas. For the first time since I was shaken awake, I could actually breathe.
A high-pitched ringing filled my ears, drowning out everything else.
Gravel crunched under my feet as I staggered forward, uncoordinated. My arms gave out and I had to force myself to keep control as I lowered Dimitros onto the ground. He fell harder than I meant him to, his body limp.
“Stay with me, son,” I muttered, though I still couldn’t hear a thing.
I dropped to my knees beside him, the gravel biting through my pajamas as I leaned over him. I reached for his pulse, but for one terrible second, I hesitated, terrified that I wouldn’t find it.
I squeezed my eyes shut and pressed my fingers to his neck. Nothing. My breath caught, lodged somewhere between my lungs and my throat, refusing to move. But then I felt it. Faint, but there.
Air erupted from my lips and I dropped my head forward, fighting a sob. My fingers stayed there, pressing lightly. I was terrified that if I let go, it would disappear.
“Good. That’s it… Stay with me.”
