“Shut up, Ria. I’m trying to save his life.” Alan shot me an annoyed glare. His grip on Adrian tightened. “Adrian? Tell me what they gave you.”
“476,” Adrian whispered.
“Shit,” Alan muttered, then turned to me. “Get out of the way.”
“Why?” I stepped into one of the rooms, leaning on the doorframe. All the plants in the hall shot up, seizing Adrian. Unsure what to do, I could only stare as the plants moved through the hall, carrying Adrian to another room. Who would have thought Alan could do that?
“You can come if you want,” Alan said as the plants withdrew. I followed his voice and found myself in a large bedroom. Adrian was lying on a big double bed, his head resting on one of the soft white pillows. Alan was going through the contents of a black duffel bag, cursing when he dropped a package of something.
“Is he going to be okay?” I sat down on the other half of the bed, placing my hand over Adrian’s.
“I hope so,” Alan said, shaking a brown bottle.
“Do you know what was in the syringe and what it does?” The number Adrian had told Alan was meaningless to me, but I hoped Alan could tell me more.
“Luckily, I do.” He unwrapped a syringe and placed it on the nightstand. “Adrian was injected with that liquid a long time ago at the lab. If he doesn’t receive an antidote, he’s going to die.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Please tell me you have the antidote.”
“I do, but not the necessary amount. It will be enough to keep him alive, but the recovery won’t be as painless as it is with a full dose of the antidote.” Alan filled the syringe and held it up, examining it in the light.
I squeezed Adrian’s hand. He’d survive this. He’d be fine. I knew he would. “Alan, can I use your phone? It’s important.”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
As Alan prepared to inject Adrian with the antidote, I picked up the phone and went to the hall. I needed to know whether my mom was alright. She hadn’t been in the lab. Of that much I was certain because Sebastian would have put her in that room with Adrian. But I had no idea what had happened with Margaret.
“Hello?” my mom’s voice filled the line and I slumped against the wall, the tears of joy streaming down my face.
“Mom?” I sobbed.
“Ria? Honey!” Something clattered to the ground, probably a glass or a bottle. “Oh my God. Is that really you?”
“Yes, mom, it’s me. Are you okay? Please tell me you’re safe and that the assassin is nowhere near you.” Even if the safes and the money had been destroyed in the explosion, Margaret could still be after my family simply because she was a carrier and we’d messed up her plan.
“Yes, honey. I’m fine. But tell me, where are you? Your friends have told me they were looking for you. Did they find you?” Her voice was laced with joy.
“No, mom. I’m going to call them next.” I tapped my foot against the floor. “Listen, I don’t have much time. My boyfriend... He’s not well.”
“Oh.” The line went quiet. I expected her to say something more, but she didn’t. Clearly she still thought Adrian and I weren’t supposed to be together.
“So what happened with the assassin? Is she still after us?”
“I... I don’t know. I was unconscious when your friends found me. I believe the girl’s name was Lily. She said the assassin was nowhere to be seen. I do have guards who follow me everywhere I go. The house is secure, but you have to be careful. That woman is still out there.”
“Did you tell the cops about her?”
“Of course not! I told them she was a robber.” My mom sounded outraged at my suggestion. “No one must know about Jonathan or his lover. Our family has a pure element and that’s how it’s going to stay. Don’t you realize how my friends look at me during our meetings? If they found out our elements weren’t pure or that my grandfather mingled with carriers, we’d lose... Everything.”
I wanted to say we wouldn’t lose each other, but obviously that was beside the point. There were some things my mom and I would never agree on, not as long as she thought that having an impure element or the disease was the end of the world. The only good thing was that she believed me when it came to my great-grandpa. “I have to go. I’ll be in touch.”
I got to my feet and peeked into Alan’s room. Alan was putting his things back in the bag and Adrian’s condition looked unchanged. Walking to the other end of the hall, I dialed Lily’s number. Judging by my mother’s reaction, Lily and the others hadn’t believed in Sebastian’s lies about my death. But I still didn’t want to call Paula first. She was pregnant and I didn’t want to upset her. It was better if someone else told her I was fine and safe.
Lily answered on the second ring. “Ria?”
“How did you know it was me?” I said in disbelief.
“We’re monitoring your mom’s house,” Lily said cheerfully. “And her phone calls. Just in case.”
“You’re listening in to my mom’s conversations?” I wasn’t sure whether to be mad or grateful that they were looking after my mom, even though she wasn’t on friendly terms with carriers.
“It’s the only way to make sure she doesn’t conspire with the enemy. Besides, she agreed to it.”
“What?” My mom would have never agreed to such a thing.
“Well, she did it in exchange for us not telling anyone about the deal and your great-grandfather.”
Perfect, just perfect. Didn’t Mom realize that our family secret was more of a public secret already? Besides, after what happened with the government, no one could openly discriminate against carriers. “Thank you for keeping her safe. I just wanted to tell you that Adrian and I are more or less fine.”
“Define more or less,” Lily said, her voice getting serious. “I can trace your signal to... Alan’s apartment? You decided to visit Adrian’s guardian?”
“Adrian got injected with some serum and Alan has the antidote.” I paced up and down the hall. “I can’t believe you didn’t find us!”
“Hey, don’t blame me. We did everything we could, but whoever took you hid their tracks really well. I assume you were held in the laboratory that exploded? It’s all over the news and my team sort of narrowed your possible location to that area, although we didn’t expect you to be in a lab.” There was an edge to Lily’s voice. No matter what she might try to make me believe, she was dissatisfied with her team because they couldn’t pinpoint my location in time.
“Did they say who owned the lab or who funded it?”
“Not really. Why? I can look into it if you want.”
“I have a feeling Ethan’s family funded the research over there because Sebastian was pretty much in charge. He wanted to take his cousin’s element from me and melt it with his own. He mentioned something about him and Ethan surviving an experiment without getting the disease. I don’t know what he was talking about, but whatever they tried to do in that lab...” My thoughts flashed back to Sara’s face and my chest became heavy. I couldn’t think about her. I couldn’t. “They were doing some dangerous experiments, even on children. All of their subjects were considered to be a threat to the world, because they decided to kill them off as soon as I...”
“Ria, what happened at the lab?”
“Horrible things,” I whispered, pushing back the tears.
“Did you get your elements back?” she asked hesitantly.
“Not exactly.” I collapsed to the ground under the assault of memories and started rocking back and forth. “My disease came back. I killed Sebastian... And his guards. Took their elements.” My voice was detached, completely empty of emotion. “Used them all up to blow the place. Now I’m back to what I was before. I don’t know.”
A sharp intake of breath came from the other end of the line. “Ria, you have to be careful. This is not good. Do you hear me?”
“I hear you.” How could killing people and blowing up a lab be good? If I hadn’t tried to escape and killed all the guards, Sara and the r
est... They would be alive. They would be tortured until they died. Their fate was worse than death anyway. My mind was trying to convince me to believe in something I couldn’t possibly believe in.
“Ria!” Lily raised her voice.
“What?” I snapped. “All that matters now is that Adrian gets better.”
“Didn’t you hear a word I said? Yes, it’s important that Adrian gets well, but your condition worries me. The disease doesn’t just come and go as you wish it.”
“Do you think I don’t know that?”
“The disease could come back at any moment and you could end up...”
Killing a bunch of innocent people. That was what Lily wanted to say, but wasn’t sure how to say it. “Can you tell Paula I’m alright?”
“Sure,” she said.
“Thanks.”
Chapter 22
I leaned on the doorframe, feeling a headache form behind my eyes. Alan held Adrian in his arms. Adrian’s black hair was plastered to his forehead, his eyes closed, his lips moving. Alan placed his hand on Adrian’s cheek as Adrian murmured something incomprehensible.
“Shh, I’ve got you,” Alan said quietly. Adrian’s trembling subsided a little, but I noticed a thin branch wrapped around his wrists, keeping him in place.
Unable to stand still, I pushed myself off the doorframe. “I’m going to take a walk.”
Alan’s eyes shot up. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“It probably isn’t, but... I need to clear my head.”
“Then go to the terrace instead. It’s big enough and no one will bother you there.”
“Right.” I’d forgotten Alan lived in an apartment almost as big as a house.
“Go down the hall, through the last door to your left and you’ll find it.” He offered me a smile.
It turned out the terrace was full of various sorts of plants, so I sat down on the ground in the corner that wasn’t full of flowers and leaves. Drawing my knees up, I hugged them to myself. Why was I always so damn lucky? Of all the people in the lab, I was the one who got free and walked out. I always got what other people wanted; Adrian, the presidency of the Element Preservers, elements... I’d risked my life and almost died many times, but somehow it seemed like I always survived while people around me died or suffered.
I had no idea for how long I’d been sitting like that, lost in my thoughts and ignoring the cold. Someone’s hand touched my shoulder and I jumped. Alan loomed over me, his face sympathetic.
“If you’re worried about Adrian, he’s going to be alright.” He gave me a reassuring pat on the back.
“Thanks for helping him.” I offered Alan a weak smile.
“You don’t have to thank me for that. That’s what guardians are for.”
My eyebrows shot upward. “But I heard guardians no longer exist.”
“Maybe not on paper.” He pursed his lips. “I know I might not have been the best at that job, but... I don’t want to lose Adrian. It took me some time to realize that.”
“I think he doesn’t want to lose you either,” I said and meant it.
“What’s troubling your mind?”
I looked away from his intense brown eyes. “I should have saved the people in the lab. The test subjects.”
“There’s nothing you could have done. That lab was a private one. The people in there might have been too dangerous if they got out.”
Sara wasn’t dangerous. “But they wouldn’t have died if it wasn’t for me. Somehow I always survive everything and...” I choked back a sob.
“It seems like you forgot something.” Alan crouched in front of me and I looked at him in surprise. “You’re Ria Milanez. My boy didn’t fall for you because you gave up at the first sign of trouble, did he?”
A smile protruded on my lips.
“You and Adrian are survivors. You fight for what you want and you don’t give up,” Alan said.
He was right. Who would have thought I’d ever agree with Alan? “You won’t send me a bill for this, will you? I mean, you’re still the counselor at the university.”
Alan chuckled. “Nope, I won’t. But if you need therapy...”
“I don’t need therapy. I need a drink.” I stood up, and Alan did the same.
“I can do something about that.” He grinned. “Let’s get inside before you freeze over here.”
I nodded and rubbed my arms. If I could get my disease back, why couldn’t I do the same with my element? I missed it more than anything. No one’s element was quite like mine and I missed the feeling of having it. My feelings and thoughts were messed up ever since I lost my fire. That couldn’t be a coincidence.
I sat on the bed next to Adrian, a cup of coffee in my hand. He no longer had a fever, which was a good sign. A smile appeared on my lips as he slowly opened his eyes. “Welcome back.”
He propped himself up on his elbows, a frown creasing his brow. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?”
The smile faded from my face, my eyebrows going up.
Adrian burst into laughter. “Oh, God, you should have seen your face! Priceless!”
“You’re an idiot.” I playfully smacked him in the side, the tension leaving my shoulders. “What the fuck is wrong with you? You can’t do that to me after I almost lost you.”
“Oh, come on.” He grinned. “It was a perfect opportunity. I had to use it.”
“I’m glad you’re okay.” I set the cup on the nightstand and bent my head to place a kiss on his lips.
He pulled me on top of him and nuzzled my neck. “Me too.”
“Looks like you’re recovering well.” I bit down on my lip and traced my finger across the dark bruise under his left eye. At least now I could see both of his beautiful gray-blue eyes.
Alan coughed from the doorway. “Adrian, you should probably move to Ria’s room if you’re feeling fine.”
Alan had been using the guest room and I’d been in another one for the last couple of days, but I supposed Alan wanted his room back. “Great idea,” I said, as I pushed myself off Adrian and got to my feet. “But I don’t think we’ll stay for long.” Now that Adrian was fine, there was no reason for us to stay at Alan’s apartment.
“You should stay at least for a couple of days,” Alan said thoughtfully. “Adrian might feel fine, but he should still rest.”
“Whatever you say, doctor.” Adrian chuckled and I sighed. I’d rather have some privacy with Adrian, maybe get a place on our own, but if he wanted to stay, then I couldn’t argue.
Chapter 23
I woke up covered with sweat, my whole body tingling. Adrian murmured something, his arm wrapped around my waist. Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself up. Adrian’s arm slid off me and I gasped. Every single element in the city came alive, begging me to come and take it. My head was spinning, my mouth dry, goose bumps rising on my skin. I reached for the glass of water on the nightstand and knocked it to the ground.
“Ria?” Adrian sat up, rubbing his eyes.
“It’s back,” I croaked out.
“What?” He placed his hand on my shoulder and the elements disappeared.
“Don’t stop touching me.” Panic gripped my insides. “The disease is back.”
Adrian swore under his breath. “Are you okay? Is it bad?”
“I could feel every single element in the city.” I wiped the sweat off my forehead and looked into Adrian’s eyes. “Can you feel anything when you’re touching me?”
“No,” he said, rubbing circles on my back. “Are your elements back too?”
I closed my eyes because it was the only way I could focus. “No, I can’t feel them. The emptiness is still there, but...”
“Lily said this could happen. You have to calm down and then we’ll figure this out.” Adrian’s calm and steady voice helped me to relax.
“Okay, yeah. You’re right.” But what if my worst fear had come true? Adrian’s touch made everything better, but I couldn’t keep touching him forever.
A knock sound
ed on the door and Alan poked his head inside. “Is everything alright? I heard noise.”
“We’re fine. Ria knocked over a glass of water,” Adrian said casually.
I frowned at Alan. “Is that a baseball bat in your hand?”
He looked down at the bat in his hand. “Umm, yeah.”
“Why are you so jumpy lately? You open the door with a gun ready. You come running with a baseball bat when you hear noise. What’s going on?” Maybe concentrating on Alan’s problems would make me forget mine. Besides, I’d never gotten the chance to ask him about the gun.
“Oh, your assassin paid me a visit after you left. She wanted to know where you went, but I told her I didn’t know. Luckily, I’m not part of your family, so she went away.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell us? How did she even get inside?” The security in the lobby might be bad, but they let Adrian and me pass because they’d seen us before. They sure as hell wouldn’t let Margaret go.
Alan gave me a deadpan look. “She’s an assassin, Ria. I doubt she used the main door. I didn’t want to worry you because I’m sure she won’t come back. She has no reason to think you’re here.”
“Umm, Alan?” I said. “Do you have something that helps with the symptoms of magic disease?”
“Like what?” Alan eyed me suspiciously.
“I don’t know. What would you do if Adrian suddenly got the urge to kill people?” I flashed him an innocent smile. “I mean, aside from taking him to some lab.”
“Why do you ask that?” Alan looked at me, then at Adrian.
“I’m having the symptoms of the disease again.” I waited for Alan’s reaction.
“Define symptoms.” I could be wrong, but I had a feeling Alan’s hand on the baseball bat tightened.
“I can feel every element in the city as if it were right here.” I doubted this explanation meant anything to Alan because he never had a chance to experience how carriers felt around regular elementals.
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