Cursed by the Fountain of Youth (Unnatural States of America Book 1)

by Holly Kelly

  Nick nodded as he swallowed.

  Turning back to Becca, he approached her. His tears were falling freely when he leaned down and kissed her cold forehead. “I love you, baby sister,” he whispered so only she could hear.

  Yes.

  He choked back a sob and asked, “You ready?”

  Yes.

  Nick hesitated, taking one last look at Becca—the girl with so much spunk that for a while he believed she could beat muscular dystrophy by grit alone.

  But she couldn’t.

  He stepped over to the wall, grabbed the thick, black cord planted firmly into the outlet, took a deep breath, and pulled. The whirring of the machine slowed, coming to a stop.

  Nick turned around, leaned down, and encircled Becca in his arms. He kissed her cheek and then pressed his forehead against hers. “I’m here, baby sister. You don’t need to be afraid.”

  She may have heard him, but fear rose in her eyes, even as she began to struggle and choke. He held her tight and closed his eyes, not bearing to see her suffer.

  Strong hands pulled him away. He opened his eyes to see Dr. Rose leaning over Becca.

  “What do you think you’re—”

  “This isn’t normal,” Dr. Rose interrupted. “She’s trying to breathe on her own.”

  Rose peeled the tape from around her mouth. “Becca, I need you to breathe out hard.”

  Becca gagged as Rose pulled out the ventilator tube. And then Becca gasped, breathing in deeply. “Wasn’t…” Becca said, her voice rasping, “I supposed to die?”

  Dr. Rose nodded in disbelief. She turned to Nick. “It has to be Fae’s blood.” She turned back to Becca, then looked up at the monitor. “I don’t believe it. Her blood pressure’s normal, her O2 stats look good, she…looks fine. Well, according to the monitor.”

  “I don’t feel fine. My throat is killing me.” Becca pressed her hand against her throat.

  “It’s to be expected,” Dr. Rose said.

  “Bec,” Nick said in disbelief. “Your hand.”

  Becca looked at her hand, awestruck as she lifted it in front of her face. “What happened to me?” She looked to Dr. Rose, confusion in her eyes. “And what do you mean, ‘Fae’s blood’?”

  Dr. Rose raised an eyebrow at her and then turned to Nick. “I think you should be the one to tell her.”

  “Tell me what?” Becca asked.

  Nick sighed, his heart trembling from relief as he looked her over. She’s still alive. He couldn’t wrap his brain around that fact. How could he explain what happened so that she would understand?

  “You know those books you like to read?” he finally asked.

  “What are you talking about?” she asked, confusion clouding her features.

  Nick raised his eyebrows as he blinked back tears—this time tears of joy.

  “You mean the paranormal ones?” she answered. “You said they were stupid.”

  Nick took a deep breath. “I guess they’re not as stupid as I thought.”

  “I’m confused. I thought I was going to hear about why I’m not dead and why I can suddenly move. Instead, you decided to have your own little book group session?”

  Nick looked to Rose for help. She shrugged.

  “Maybe that wasn’t the best way to start,” Nick said and sighed. “What I mean to say is that supernatural creatures do exist.”

  “That’s insane.”

  Nick shook his head.

  “So, Fae’s a supernatural creature? Did she feed me her blood?” Becca’s voice rose. “Is she a vampire?” Becca’s eyes were wide as she seemed to embrace the possibility. Concern spilled into her expression. “Am I safe to be around?”

  “You’re not a vampire, Becca.”

  “What am I?”

  “You’re human,” Dr. Rose said. “Like your brother and like Fae.”

  “I don’t understand,” Becca said. “Fae’s not…supernatural?”

  “I wouldn’t say that,” Dr. Rose said. “She’s been infused with supernatural power.”

  “What kind of power?” Becca asked.

  “Youth,” Dr. Rose said.

  “She’s young?”

  “You’ve heard the legends of the Fountain of Youth, right?” Nick asked.

  “Yeah, of course.”

  “Fae was born in the fountain,” Nick continued. “And when that happened, the power of the fountain infused inside her. Her blood holds the power to restore youth.”

  “Are you saying, I’m younger.”

  “Right.”

  “How much younger?”

  Dr. Rose stepped forward. “I’m not sure. If Fae’s blood had done its job completely, you’d be approximately twenty-two years old. But her blood is currently diluted.”

  “Maybe I’m not twenty-two, but she’s turned back the clock for me. Will I start aging again? Do I still have muscular dystrophy?”

  “I’m afraid so,” Dr. Rose said.

  “Well, that sucks.”

  “Why?” Nick asked.

  “Because, you doofus, I have to go through it all again.”

  “Not necessarily,” Dr. Rose said.

  Becca’s eyes darted from Dr. Rose to Nick. “What? Are you going to prescribe Fae’s blood to me?”

  Dr. Rose looked over at Fae. “That’s not a bad idea, but we have something else in mind. Fae has offered her bone marrow to you. A bone marrow transplant should make the change permanent.”

  “So, I’ll be permanently young? Does that mean I’ll never die?”

  “You’ll still have the risks of a normal human. If you get hit by a bus…” Rose’s voice dropped off as she raised her eyebrows.

  “I get it. I can still die, but I won’t age. Like ever?”

  “Right.”

  Becca sat in silence for a moment. “This is a lot to take in.” She looked at Fae, and concern creased her forehead. “You’d do this for me?”

  “Of course,” Fae said, rising from her chair. Nick stepped in quickly and took her arm to help steady her and keep her weight off her injured foot.

  “I may not be a doctor,” Becca said. “But I don’t think Fae’s up for major surgery. She looks like she can barely stand.”

  “We would have to wait for her to recover her strength,” Dr. Rose said. “We’re probably looking at two months for a complete recovery. I’d like all the blood in her system to be her own.”

  “Okay,” Becca said. “I can wait, but I have one more question.”

  “What is it?” Nick asked.

  “Can I freakin’ get out of this bed? I haven’t walked in years. I’m still having a hard time believing I can do it.”

  Dr. Rose stepped up to the side of the bed. “I’m not sure you can. Fae’s blood isn’t at full strength. But I’m not against having you try.”

  Nick sat Fae back in her chair and took the position on one side of Becca as Dr. Rose took the other side.

  Becca struggled to move her legs over the side of the bed. She probably wouldn’t be able to walk quite yet. But just being able to move her legs was a big improvement. He just hoped Becca wouldn’t be too disappointed.

  Nick and Dr. Rose easily lifted Becca. She’d lost a lot of weight with her illness. He carefully lowered her down to give her a chance to try to stand on her own two feet. When her legs began to buckle, he held her up. “Sorry, baby sis.”

  “No, no,” Becca said adamantly. “Let me try something.”

  She dragged one foot out in front of the other. Nick and Dr. Rose let her take the lead and step forward. Becca dragged the other foot, and once again they followed. Becca might not be walking on her own yet, but she could go through the motions. Nick was thrilled. She hadn’t been able to do this in over a year.

  He looked over only to see tears in her eyes. His heart sank when he saw her disappointment. “I’m sorry, Becca.”

  She shook her head and laughed through her tears. “You’re such an idiot.”

  She turned her tear-streaked face toward him. “These are frea
kin’ tears of joy, doofus.”

  Nick smiled, tears of his own threatening to fall.

  Minutes later, they ended up standing in front of Fae. Becca’s tears falling freely now. “Thank you,” Becca said simply.

  Fae nodded, tears in her own eyes. She rose and put her arms around Becca. “You don’t need to thank me. I was happy to do it.”

  Nick swallowed a lump in his throat as he looked at the two most important women in his life. What started out as the worst day of his life turned out to be the best.

  Life didn’t get better than this.

  Chapter 23

  Fae knew this job would end up biting her in the butt. Nick wanted to watch her at work. He insisted she still needed a guard. It had been one month, and she was ready for life to get back to normal. Though until they caught Lafayette, life couldn’t ever be normal. Still, here she was, back at work—still weak, but functional.

  She certainly hoped today wouldn’t be the first day of modeling in the buff. From the looks of it, Nick wouldn’t be backing down. He confirmed her suspicions with his next words.

  “No,” he growled at Fae. “You are absolutely not going in there alone.”

  “I have to,” Fae said, determined. “And I’ve already missed too much work as it is. I’m lucky to still have a job.”

  “And what, you expect me to grab a burger and fries and leave you unprotected while you work? What kind of job is this?”

  “It’s perfectly respectable. I provide a valuable service.”

  “I never thought it wasn’t respectable. Damn it, Fae, what are you trying to hide?”

  Fae looked down, heat rising in her cheeks. “I work for the college’s art department…as a model.”

  Nick didn’t say anything. He was smart. He knew exactly what that statement implied. Fae could imagine the condemnation in his eyes and wasn’t ready to face it yet. He pulled her to a stop in front of the building, stepped in front of her, and lifted her chin up so that she had to look him in the eye.

  Fae felt a jolt of surprise when she saw his expression. He did look unhappy, but also relieved.

  “Figure drawing, right?” he asked.

  Fae nodded.

  “I tried to take that class when I was in college. They wouldn’t let me. It was an upper-level class for art majors. I’m guessing it’s the same here.”

  Fae nodded again.

  “Listen,” he said, his voice low. “I do have to admit, I’m not thrilled you’ve been seen naked by countless men. But I understand.”

  Fae shook her head.

  “I don’t understand?” he asked.

  “No,” Fae stammered. “I…haven’t posed nude yet.”

  Nick sighed and raised his eyebrow. “You don’t want to do it,” he said, stating her feelings.

  “I’ll have to,” Fae said, resigned. “Eventually.”

  “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, Fae.”

  “I need the money. I tried to find something else, but I came too late. All the other jobs were taken. I couldn’t even find a job flipping burgers.”

  “I know of a job.”

  “Oh, please don’t tell me you want to hire me. I don’t need a pity job.”

  “It’s not me. It’s the office. It’s not much, just custodial, but it pays better than minimum wage. One of the girls just up and quit.”

  “How many hours? I can’t miss school.”

  “It’s after five, only twenty hours a week.”

  “I’d be working for the FBI?”

  “You won’t be an agent, but yeah. How much are you making at the school?”

  Fae cleared her throat. “Fifty dollars an hour.”

  Nick swore. “Seriously?”

  Fae nodded.

  “I’m in the wrong profession.”

  “You’d pose nude?” Fae asked, trying her best not to imagine him shirtless and…um yeah, she wouldn’t even think about the other things he’d expose.

  “For fifty bucks an hour? Oh, yeah.”

  He gestured toward the building. “We’re here.”

  Fae nodded.

  “So, what are you wearing today?”

  Fae sighed. “I’m not sure. They’ve been having me wear different kinds of fabrics.”

  “Are you clothed underneath the fabric?” he asked.

  Fae frowned.

  “What?” He put his hand over his heart. “I’m just asking.”

  “Sometimes.”

  He nodded. “Good to know.”

  * * * * *

  Nick sat down in the back of the class and got a good look at the students. The women slightly outnumbered the men. They obviously weren’t freshmen, and many were a bit eccentric—loud clothes, bright hair. Definitely members of the arts community.

  The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Another college student stepped into the room. Nick casually glanced his way. He was a bit odd—greasy hair, filthy clothes. But there was something else off about him Nick couldn’t quite put his finger on. The professor immediately stood and walked over to him.

  Fae stepped in, and a hush settled over the room.

  Nick’s heart skipped a beat. She wore a floor-length, white dress that billowed around her hips. The neckline plunged just below the swell of her breasts. She looked stunning—like she belonged on the silver screen in the 1930s.

  Fae kept her eyes down as her high heels clicked against the wood platform. She stopped in the center and stood with her feet shoulder width apart, hands behind her back, fingers locked together. She looked up—her eyes passing by everyone in the room without pause and coming to rest where the wall meets the ceiling. She relaxed into a natural pose; she seemed to be born for this job.

  He had difficulty breathing, much less taking his eyes off her, but he needed to get a look at the other students. He was surprised to see they were already busy at work with pencils flying over their pages. All except the man who had just entered.

  And then Nick caught movement from the open door where Fae had come from. Another man watched her, a big man. Nick’s eyes narrowed.

  Who were these characters?

  His phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and furrowed his brows. It was Don.

  We’ve been ordered to bring you in.

  Nick’s heart skipped a beat. Why?

  Division X isn’t with the FBI. The documents they provided were...well, they weren’t from the director.

  Nick swore under his breath. He’d trusted Thomas, Dr. Rose…He’d trusted them all. What was going to happen to Becca? Could Dr. Rose really help her? If she were arrested, she wouldn’t be able to.

  Another one showed up, this time a woman—tall, sleek, with a coldness in her eyes.

  Looks like a team is already here, he texted Don.

  Don responded immediately. What? That’s impossible. Young is assembling the team now.

  Nick scowled, doubt and disappointment on his mind. He could have sworn Thomas was an honorable guy. And the people in this room—whoever they were—were not here for anything good. Nick caught the gleam of a pistol under the hoodie of one of the men, confirming his thoughts. Who were these characters? Could they be from Division X? Maybe they were alerted that they’d been made and now were out to silence him and Fae.

  Nick looked over at Fae. She seemed completely unaware of the danger. And they were in real trouble. There were two exits from this room, and they were both covered.

  Nick sucked in a breath of air when Avira stepped into the room. His first reaction was relief—Division X was here to help.

  No. They are not the allies I believed them to be, Nick chided himself.

  He narrowed his eyes when Avira closed her eyes and raised her hand. Black billowing smoke issued from her fingertips—no, it was her fingers. From her fingers down to her arms, she evaporated into a mist. In seconds, she was nothing more than a ghostly apparition. She flew around the room, brushing over the class members. One by one, they began to fall. Nick had a fle
eting question pass over his mind. Why weren’t the students trying to avoid her? They didn’t even seem to see her.

  Despite the obvious pointlessness of the gesture, he reached for his gun.

  A voice snapped in his head—Avira’s voice. Don’t do it. They’ll see you and respond. I’ll take care of them.

  She swirled around the room, passing through everyone but him and Fae. Within seconds, they were the only conscious people left in the room. The black smoke gathered and thickened, materializing into the shape of a woman. Avira was back.

  Nick stood, not moving. “What did you do?”

  “I just had a snack,” Avira said. “They’ll be fine.”

  “Sounds like you still haven’t figured out what she is yet,” Thomas said as he walked through the door.

  Nick stepped over to Fae and shoved her behind his back. He pulled out his gun, cocking it and pointing it at Thomas’s heart. “That’s not the only question I have.”

  “Nick, what’s going on?” Fae asked.

  Thomas lifted his hand toward Avira in a gesture for her to stop as he shook his head. He turned back to Nick. “Let me guess. You found out that we’re not sanctioned by the FBI?”

  Nick heard Fae’s intake of breath. He gave a quick nod. “Who are you? What do you want from us?”

  “Believe it or not, we really are the good guys, Nick. We’re an organization that has been around for much longer than the FBI. Our job is to protect the humans from supernatural creatures, and then sometimes protect supernatural creature from humans, and then always… Protect our secret.”

  “What secret?” Nick asked.

  “Our existence,” Avira said.

  “And you decided to drag me into your world? Why?”

  Thomas shrugged. “I’ve no idea. We took our lead from Jones. He’s the brains of our operation. He’s what you might call gifted.”

  “This is insane.”

  Thomas shrugged.

  “I’m guessing you figured out who these people are,” Nick said as he nodded toward the stranger lying on the ground.

  “They’re the reason we came today. We got a lead indicating they were coming.”

  “You brought Avira to take care of them. What is she, really?”