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Just then, Camille popped back through the doorway. “Where the hell is Mallen? Iris is crowning the first baby.”
A thought hit me. “Where the hell is Bruce?”
Smoky frowned. “Iris said he’d be here in a few. He was out at the house. I’ll go check on him.” He headed toward the kitchen just as Shade reappeared with my water. The doorbell rang and Menolly answered it, leading Mallen in. Behind him was Chase, looking pale and shaken.
“Chase, what’s going on?”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry to intrude at this time but I’m afraid I have some bad news. Menolly—I’m sorry to tell you this, but the Wayfarer . . .”
She stiffened. “Tell me. What’s going on?”
“The Wayfarer is on fire. The fire department is there, trying to stop the flames, but they aren’t hopeful. Chrysandra . . . she got caught in the smoke. She’s in serious condition at the FH-CSI.”
“Oh Great Mother, the threats were real.” Camille paled as Mallen pushed past her, grabbing her arm.
“I need you to help me.” He shook her lightly. “Now.”
As he dragged her after him, Menolly grabbed her jacket, still silent.
I stood, intending to go with her, but the room began to spin and the next thing I knew, I face-planted. As I hit the floor, my head buzzed like a hive full of angry bees had taken up residence there.
Chapter 5
As I opened my eyes, I realized three things. One: I was lying on the floor. Two: The floor felt uncommonly good—nice and cool and smooth. Three: I didn’t think I was supposed to actually be down here.
That’s when the burning hit. My hand itched so bad I let out a croaking scream. I tried to sit up and found hands against my back, helping me. Shade was bracing me up. I shook my head, trying to clear the drone, but the buzzing grew worse, making it hard to even hear my own thoughts.
I squinted as Menolly knelt down beside me, Chase fretting behind her. “Kitten, Kitten, are you okay?”
“I . . . I . . . No.” Truth being, I wasn’t. I felt feverish and on pins and needles.
“I’ll go get Mallen.” She jumped up and disappeared from sight.
Shade gathered me up in his arms and laid me on the sofa. “Love, love . . . can you hear me? Delilah—can you hear me?”
His voice grated in my ears against the buzzing that wouldn’t shut the fuck up. It was beginning to annoy me. “Yes, I can hear you. Stop asking me that.”
“You’re burning up.” Shade pressed his hand against my forehead.
A moment later, Mallen rushed back into the room, followed by Camille. The elf looked straight out of med school but he was probably several thousand years old, and he had a calm, cool demeanor that both felt aloof and yet comforting at the same time.
He leaned over me, touched my forehead, then straightened up. “We need to get her to the FH-CSI. She needs more care than I can provide here. Smoky can take her through the Ionyc Sea. Don’t let Rozurial do it—he’s not strong enough to carry someone in fragile condition. Smoky can offer more protection from the elements out on the Sea. So go. Find him now. I’ll call ahead so they’re expecting her.”
Camille ran off.
Mallen turned to Shade. “Camille should go with her. Menolly—I understand that you’re needed at the Wayfarer. We’ll let you all know if anything serious happens with Iris, though I don’t expect any complications.”
Menolly looked ready to argue, but turned and headed out the door with Chase.
Shade worried his lip. “Who’s with Iris?”
“My assistant, and Hanna and Roz. I have to get back to her—this is her first labor and with twins, it’s not going to be easy. Someone find Bruce and send him in.” Mallen stared down at me. “Get Delilah a cool cloth for her head until you can get her to headquarters.”
At that moment, Smoky and Camille burst in.
“Smoky, take Delilah and Camille to the FH-CSI. A team will be waiting. Somebody—get your ass on the move and bring me Bruce. Now.” With that, Mallen turned and headed back to Iris.
Shade kissed me. “I’ll find Bruce, then join you at HQ. Go, love, and be safe.”
