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Elena came back to sit on the bed by Daisy’s legs. “They’re angry because they care for you.”
“I still don’t get it.”
“It’s a good thing.”
“How?”
“They don’t want you to die, and to be honest, seeing the way my brother reacted, I know he’s in love with you. If you died…” Elena blinked rapidly then sniffed. “He’d be a complete filho da puta, if you know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t. He really loves me?”
“Of course he does.” Elena’s glistening eyes slid to Daisy’s. “He deserves to have someone he cares about in his life. Someone who cares back.”
“I don’t know if I’m that person.”
Elena let loose a string of Portuguese curses, just like she’d heard Axel do, and it made her smile.
“Duh,” Elena said, brow furrowing. “Yes, you are that person. You almost died so his sister could live. If that’s not caring back, then I don’t know what is.”
Daisy bit her lip, smiling at Elena.
“So, he’ll be back?” Daisy asked.
“Double duh.” Elena collected the bowl from Daisy. “You guys talk the same language. Of course, he’ll be back. Now, you get some rest. Just give us a shout if you need anything. Oh, and I almost forgot.”
Elena pulled a small card out of her pocket. She placed it before Daisy on the bed with a shy smile. “I made you this. Maybe when you’re better, we can finish it.”
It was a card with a likeness of Daisy’s face on it with the word Despair and some numbers.
“What is this?” she asked.
“It’s a collector’s card. Kind of like baseball cards. I was working on some before I met you all. Alek and I were talking before about what kind of stats each of you would have.” She pointed at the numbers in the corner. “See? There’s power, dexterity, and heart. Since we’ve not really seen your gift in action, we weren’t sure what to put for those.”
“It says three thousand next to heart.” Daisy blinked.
“It’s the most of them all. Anyway, I’ll leave you to rest.” She gave Daisy a shy wave and then rushed out as though embarrassed.
After she left, Daisy stared at the ceiling for a long time. The most heart of them all. Tears burned her eyes and she blinked fast so they didn’t flow over.
So… having people angry that she almost died meant they cared deeply for her. It had confused her because Julius used to also get angry at her if she put herself at risk. But it had always been because losing her jeopardized his plans. He would withhold affection and lord it over her like bait. He would lock her in the attic and take away her privileges.
But Mary and Axel were just angry. As Flint once said to her, people were entitled to their emotions. It was annoying, but she guessed, that was what family was—a safe place to let loose emotions. That was what being loved meant.
We make mistakes together.
Axel had just wanted to be a part of Daisy’s life, the good and the bad.
* * *
Liza and Sloanwere Daisy’s next visitors. Both were freshly showered and looking a little worse for wear, as though they’d been out fighting. Probably had. Daisy could still hear police sirens outside every now and then and drifting in and out of sleep so often, she lost track of time.
“Hey,” Liza said as she knocked on the doorframe.
“How you feeling?” Sloan asked.
Liza sprawled in the chair by the bed. Sloan perched on the edge of the bed near Daisy’s feet.
“I’m okay,” she admitted. “Feeling better by the hour.”
