by Lisa Kessler
Sirens blared in the distance, giving Erica more hope than breaking down the metal door did.
“Callie!”
They all turned at the sound of Hunter’s voice, but before he made it to them, part of the roof collapsed.
CHAPTER 17
The alarm sounded inside Reed’s station—a structure fire. He ran for the engine, tugging on his gear as he went. Captain Mitchell called out the address from the front of the engine, and Reed frowned. “That’s not on base.”
“Yeah, we’re backing up the city on this one. It’s some theater, and there are people trapped inside.”
The mention of a theater sent a chill down his back. “Which theater?”
“I don’t know. It was under construction.”
Fuck.
“Drive faster!” Reed yelled to the engineer.
“We’ll be there in a minute, McIntosh.”
His mind raced. Jack was behind bars. The fires should be over. He rubbed a shaky hand down his face. “Erica was in that building, and a minute might not be soon enough.”
By the time they arrived at the scene, the city trucks were already there. Reed jumped off the truck, attaching his oxygen line as he gripped his ax and headed for the building.
One of the city firefighters grabbed his arm. “We’ve got this. We need your water right now. We’re in the process of getting the doors opened.”
Reed frowned. “They were locked?”
“Chained shut from outside.”
Suddenly, part of one of the front doors ripped open. A man, his face covered in soot, gasped for air. “We’ve got some injured people trapped inside.”
Reed jerked his arm free from the other firefighter’s grip and rushed to the door. “Get back!”
He swung his ax down into the chains. The first strike didn’t do anything, but the second one snapped the chain. He tugged it off and pulled the door open.
The guy who broke through was carrying Clio out of the theater while Reed tugged the other door open. The fire was crankin’ hot, roaring at the rush of oxygen. A line came forward and shot water into the inferno.
Reed’s heart pounded in his ears as Lia and Trin hobbled out. He caught Trinity’s arm. “Where’s Erica?”
“She went back into the theater for Polly.” Trin coughed, tears streaking through the soot on her face. “The roof fell. I lost her.”
“I’ll find her.” He followed the path of the water into the smoldering beams, sucking more oxygen than he should have. This was too close, too personal.
But they’d have to chain him to a tree to keep him out.
He’d only been in the building once, and it hadn’t been on fire. A RIT team from the city brushed past him to move deeper into the lobby, where they found two more women. Callie and the tall one. The dancer. He couldn’t think of her name.
The door to the main theater was crooked, damaged by the collapsing roof. He swung his ax, putting the heated hinges out of their misery. The door crashed to the floor, and another wave of heat threatened to force him back.
He dropped to his knees, crawling deeper into the demon’s belly. He spotted Erica and Polly. Thank god. He scrambled toward Erica. She was on her side on the floor, drenched in sweat. He tried to pull her free, and her eyes opened.
“Reed,” she shouted. “I’m stuck!”
Her legs were visible. Then he saw the smoking beam pinning her wrist. “I’m getting you out of here.”
She nodded, and he moved forward to lift the beam. On the other side was Polly. Erica was still holding her hand as blood ran from a cut on Polly’s head. The beam must’ve hit her when it fell.
He couldn’t check for a pulse with his gloves on, though, so he had to get them both out first.
Something exploded on the stage, the flames billowing out into the audience. He lay flat, letting it pass before he lifted his head. He stared at the beam, wanting it thrown clear into the center of the seats.
The wood groaned and suddenly went airborne without anyone touching it.
He didn’t have time to admire his Guardian ability. He helped Erica up. “Can you walk?”
“I think so.” She coughed, covering her nose and mouth with her shirt.
He bent down and lifted Polly onto his shoulder. She wasn’t moving. Not a good sign. He grabbed Erica around the waist with his other arm. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
The closer they got to the lobby area, the more treacherous the footing was. The lines were pumping in gallons of water, making the ground wet and slippery. He tightened his hold around Erica’s waist. She was cradling one of her arms. Her wrist was probably broken, but she was alive. That was all that mattered.
Once they were out of the building, he went directly to the paramedics. “We need assistance over here.”
The guy working on Lia and Trinity came over, his expression all business. He went to Erica first, while Reed lowered Polly onto the gurney in the van. She was still unconscious when the EMT took over.
Reed turned to Erica. “Her wrist might be broken. It was pinned under debris.”
“I can see that. Got second-degree burns here, too.”
“Reed!”
He turned around as Callie nearly crashed into him. Tears were streaming down her face. “Hunter’s still inside. You have to save him. They won’t let me back in. He was trying to open the doors on the other side of the lobby.”
Another dose of adrenaline filled Reed’s veins. He nodded and turned to Erica. “I’ll be right back.”
He started for the building again, but someone caught his jacket. Erica looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “You get your ass back here safe, understand me?”
“I’ll be all right.” He ran a gloved finger down her cheek. “Get bandaged up. I’ll be back with Hunter in a minute.”
He hoped he sounded more confident than he felt as he rushed for the building. If Hunter was still trapped inside, Reed’s chances of finding him alive were slimmer with every passing second.
Pushing past the fire crew, he shouted, “We’ve got one more unaccounted for.”
Two of the city crew followed him in, the third radioing back to their chief. Reed narrowed his eyes, struggling to see through the smoke.
Where the hell are you, Hunt? Come on, bro. I promised Callie I’d bring you back to her.
He pushed farther into the lobby. He crawled over the smoking timbers from the fallen roof toward the far side of the lobby. And then he saw him.
Hunter had been trained for battle, not for fire, but his instinct to take cover had probably saved his life. Only his boots stuck out from where he was wedged between two metal file cabinets. One was leaning on the other with Hunter nestled in the small space between them.
Reed rushed to his side. “Hunter!”
He was coughing. A good sign.
“Are you injured?” Reed looked back at the other two guys. “He’s alive!”
“Callie,” Hunter groaned.
“She’s safe. She’s outside waiting for you.” Reed lifted one of the file cabinets and reached in to pull Hunter to his feet. The other two firefighters came up to help him walk. Reed started to follow when a hissing sound made him turn around.
Fuck.
He faced forward and shouted, “Gas line!” Reed ran, grabbing Hunter and the other guys as they raced for the door. Diving, Reed knocked them all to the ground as the explosion ripped through the lobby, a fireball shooting right past them.
Searing pain pierced through Reed’s back. He tried to scream, but he couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t move his legs, either.
Someone dragged him forward, and the paramedic who was working on Erica ran over. He took off Reed’s gear and yelled to his partner. They quickly got an oxygen mask on him, but he still couldn’t breathe, couldn’t keep the air inside.
Yet, he could hear. He had a punctured lung and was losing blood.
While the others rushed around him, he searched for Erica. And there she was. She cup
ped his face, worry plain in her eyes, but he didn’t want her to be scared.
He’d been here before.
Erica’s voice wobbled. “Reed, please. Stay with me. Please don’t leave me.”
She was safe. He managed to squeeze her hand, trying to memorize every curve of her beautiful face.
Using what little air he had left, he whispered, “I love you.” He winced. “Should’ve told you sooner.”
She sniffled, wiping her nose. “Don’t you dare tell me you love me and then leave me behind.” Tears spilled down her cheeks.
He shook his head. “You gave my life—” he gasped for air “—meaning. I’m not afraid.”
“Gods, no! Reed, I need you.” She leaned in close, her eyes searching his. “I love you, too. I want a life with you. You have to fight.”
Callie helped Hunter over, and Reed smiled at his best friend. “Watch Erica for me.”
Hunter’s eyes were red. Whether from smoke or tears, it didn’t matter. He took Reed’s other hand. “I didn’t let you go on the beach; I’m not letting you go now.”
The paramedic moved in, pushing something into the IV. Erica wiped her eyes. “He’ll be all right?”
“We’re doing all we can. He’s not stable enough to travel yet.”
Reed coughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Erica’s chest seized as if a knife had been plunged into her heart. She kissed his forehead. “You’ve got to hang on, Reed.”
For a moment, his eyes cleared as he stared up at her. His lips curved slightly. “I love you, Erica.”
Air passed from his mouth, but his chest didn’t rise again. His gaze was empty. Reed was gone.
She grabbed his shirt, shaking him. “Reed? Reed! Gods, no. Reed!” She snatched the paramedic’s arm, her nails digging into his skin. “Bring him back. Please. I can’t lose him!”
Callie wrapped her arms around her, easing her away, but Erica clawed her way back to Reed. “I’m not leaving him!”
Her muse sisters circled her, and Lia approached the paramedic, a single tear rolling down her cheek. She looked at the name stitched his shirt. “It’s Cooper, right? You have paddles. Give them one more charge. Please.”
He met her eyes for a second and ran for the van. He came back and readied the paddles. “Clear!”
Reed’s body jumped from the gurney. Nothing.
“One more time. Clear!” He shocked him once more.
Nothing.
He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’m calling it.”
“No!” Erica shouted to the sky. “This isn’t how this story ends. Please don’t leave me, Reed.”
The paramedic reached in to remove the sensor stickers from Reed’s chest and froze. The medic’s head fell forward, and his forearms tensed, trembling.
Lia came closer, frowning. “Are you all right?”
He didn’t answer, the tremors moving to his shoulders, until his entire upper body seized.
Lia grabbed his shoulder. “Cooper?” She looked up. “I think he’s having a seizure.”
Erica barely registered Lia’s words, but she could have sworn Reed’s lips moved. “Reed?
Time slowed, and suddenly, he sucked in a breath.
A happy sob escaped her throat.
But as it did, the paramedic collapsed, his partner racing over to help him up.
Reed blinked and looked up at her. The world could have ended in that moment, and Erica wouldn’t have noticed.
“What happened?” he whispered.
“We had unfinished business.”
He smiled and winced. “I got hit by a truck.”
“Or a projectile from the explosion.”
He squeezed her hand. “Was I delirious, or did you tell me you loved me?”
“Yes, I did. I love you.” She choked on her tears. “With all my heart, Reed McIntosh.”
CHAPTER 18
“Erica?” Callie came into Reed’s hospital room, her voice hushed.
Erica’s breath caught as she got up from her chair. “How’s Polly?”
Callie swallowed, shaking her head. “She’s still in a coma.” She pressed her lips together, fighting back tears. “You should come see her.”
Erica’s stomach twisted as she followed Callie into the hallway. “What’s the doctor saying?”
Callie met her eyes. “The swelling in her brain isn’t improving.” She paused a moment, and tears welled in her eyes. “They’ve done all they can.”
Polly didn’t have any next of kin still living, but Callie had found her living will in a fire-safe box in her apartment. Although Polly hadn’t talked about it with them, the documents gave Callie medical power of attorney.
They took the elevator down to the ICU and came around the corner into Polly’s room just as her doctor was jotting down a note in her chart. The room was crowded, a testament to how much Polly had meant to all her muse sisters.
His gaze wandered around the room, his tone grave. “I wish I had better news,” he said to them.
Erica came closer, her muse sisters stepped back from the bed, giving Erica some space. She took Polly’s hand as her vision blurred. Polly’s face was swollen, the cut on her forehead was bandaged, and she appeared to be sleeping. Behind her, monitors were beeping and a ventilator was pumping air into her lungs.
“She’s not going to wake up?” Erica forced the words from her throat.
“We’ve administered tests, but there’s no brain activity,” The doctor answered with a slow shake of his head. “I’m sorry.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll give you some privacy.”
A tear rolled down Erica’s cheek as she glanced over at Callie. “We’re just supposed to give up?”
Callie came over and squeezed Erica’s shoulder, her voice shaky. “She’s already gone. The machines are keeping her body alive, but Polly’s not here. Not anymore.”
A sob escaped Erica’s lips as she squeezed Polly’s hand. “If I’d gotten there a few seconds earlier…”
Trin wiped her eyes and came up beside Erica. “None of this is your fault.”
Erica let go of Polly’s hand, her own trembling. “Maybe the doctors are wrong. If anyone is strong enough to fight for a miracle, it’s Polly. We can’t just unplug the machines.”
“This—” Callie gestured to the machines “—isn’t what Polly wanted.” She tipped her head back and stared at the ceiling. “Gods, this hurts.” She pulled in a breath. “Polly left specific instructions that she wanted to be an organ donor and didn’t want to be hooked up to machines to prolong her life.”
Callie looked back at Erica, regret and pain lining her friend’s eyes as she whispered, “We have to let her go.”
Erica wrapped her arms around Callie, surrendering to the grief. Polly had chosen the right muse to carry out her wishes. Callie would see this through regardless of the anguish. She would honor their fallen sister.
And somehow, Erica would, too.
One by one, the others surrounded them, embracing until their shared pain gradually grew into strength. When the doctors turned off the equipment, they each whispered words of love and encouragement to their friend.
“I love you, Polly.” Erica pressed a kiss to Polly’s forehead. “You inspired us all, and always will.”
Erica sat in the chair by the hospital window, watching Reed’s chest rise and fall. What a gift. After the past few days, she’d never take breathing for granted again. It had been almost a week since they had lost Polly, and life had never seemed more precious.
Lia poked her head in the door. “Hey there.”
“Hi. Come on in.” Erica waved her over. “He’s still sleeping.”
Lia entered, carrying two cups of coffee and a bag of donuts. The woman was a goddess.
She took the other chair and opened the bag. “Thought you might be hungry.”
Erica plucked a chocolate cream-filled donut from the bag and took a sip of the coffee. “Thanks.”
“So how’s he doing?” Lia asked.
Erica smiled. “They expect a full recovery.”
“That’s amazing! I’m so glad to hear that.”
“It is.” Erica nodded, then lowered her voice. “How’s the paramedic?”
“Cooper? He’s going to be okay, too.” Lia’s face flushed.
Erica raised a brow. “You like this guy.”
“Yeah.” Lia nodded slowly. “He saved most of us. What’s not to like?”
They sipped their coffees, neither of them venturing down that road. Most said it all. Erica was too emotionally drained to allow herself to think about Polly. The pain was still too raw. She didn’t have any more tears left.
“Is Cooper talking yet?” Erica asked. “Does he know what happened? Did he get electrocuted from shocking Reed? Or was it a seizure or something?”
“He doesn’t know what happened,” Lia told her. “He said he remembers Reed having no pulse, and then he woke up in the hospital bed.”
“Does he know he saved Reed’s life?”
Lia took another sip of her coffee. “Erica, he brought him back to life. Reed was…gone.”
“I know.” Erica blinked back a sudden wave of tears. “I guess it doesn’t matter how he managed it. I’m just grateful that he did.”
“Yeah. We all witnessed some kind of miracle.”
Erica pointed to Lia’s forehead. “Hey, didn’t you have a cut on your head?”
“I did.” She reached up to touch the spot. It was red, maybe a little bruised, but otherwise, healed. “Cooper was working on it when Reed brought you and Polly out of the building.”
“It doesn’t look like he stitched it.”
“No.” Lia paused. “Come to think of it, when I got to the ambulance, he mentioned stitches, but…” She frowned. “He started cleaning the wound and sort of zoned out for a moment.”
“Was it like what happened when he was helping Reed?”
“No. I didn’t even notice it, really, but now…” Her gaze locked on Erica’s. “If we exist with the Greek muses in our souls, it’s not a far leap to think ‘others’ might be out there, too, right?”
