Page 112 of Red

This bathtub might as well be an oven. I close my eyes and sink down into the water.

I thought you were gone. Your body burned my hands. Smoke came from your own skin. I could barely touch you. His thoughts quake into my mind.

It’s called magic burnout. Sort of puts me in a coma.

The cloth drops onto my chest, and I open my eyes again. Stark stares at me, his hand still in the air.

I have a lot to tell you. I let a breath out and my eyelids fall closed. Is Hudry alive?

Yes. He opened his eyes but hasn’t talked yet.

Good. You need to cool him down.

He has fans and a blanket I put in the freezer.

You did good. Thank you.

But that’s all I have in me before I succumb to sleep once more.

The next while passes with nothing but darkness and Stark. At some point, he moves me into my old bedroom, and the hum of a fan comes from somewhere in the room.

I sit up in the bed and find a set of clothes. My body aches. I have no idea what day or time it is. I look outside, and it’s pitch black. For the first time, Stark isn’t in here. I step out to the door and tingles prickle my skin. I walk down the short hallway to find Stark and Hudry sitting at the table with plates.

Stark jumps up and wraps his arms around me. “You were asleep. I was in the kitchen making sure Hudry ate.”

“What day is it?” I ask.

“The fifteenth.”

Two weeks. I’ve been asleep for over two weeks.

“Where does everyone think you are?” He’s the lead Alpha of his cohort and he was in charge of the entire assault.

“Jocko came here the day after, when we didn’t show up. They think Hudry is resting in the quiet and that he will join them when he’s ready.”

I nod slowly, then sway, and Stark’s arms grip around me.

Hudry stands. “Thank you, Aloka. Stark told me you had some old blood-clotting remedies here from your mom. I didn’t think I’d make it or be walking around days after.”

Remedies? I squint at Stark, waiting for him to respond.

“I’m so happy it worked. You never should’ve been on the front lines.”

Hudry’s gaze falls to the floor. “I thought I could keep up with them.”

“It’s okay.” I reach my hand out to place it on his shoulder. Stark must’ve pulled it back into place. “What matters is you’re doing okay.”

“I’m glad you’re okay too. Stark said you got some wicked cold right after.”

“Well, it’s all good now.” I smile at him, and when he hugs me, I squeeze him in tight. He’s alive. This goofy werewolf kid is alive because of me.

Stark smiles down at me. I have no idea how anyone else is, and right now, I don’t care. I healed a heart.

“Jocko is going to come get you soon, Hudry. Aloka and I will be home tomorrow to debrief everyone who’s been waiting.” Stark grabs me a glass of water from the kitchen. The sight of him so at ease in my home is weirdly comforting.

Once they finish eating, a truck rolls up to the windows outside. Hudry hops up and goes to the door with Stark.

“Thanks again. Also, have you two ever seen a red wolf? I swear I saw one after I got shot.”