by J. T. Bishop
“Sherlock!” Leroy yelled, but Ramsey kept walking and disappeared back into the bedroom. Leroy let him go.
Declan took a deep breath and tried to relax. He knew he’d baited his brother, but damn if John couldn’t rile him faster than anyone else he knew. He sat back down, but still angry, he banged his fist onto the table, startling Hannah again.
She regarded him with aggravation. “The two of you could benefit from some serious psychoanalysis,” she said.
Declan looked at her, unamused.
“I agree,” stated Leroy, taking the last bite of his sandwich. Swallowing it, he looked over at a disgruntled Declan. “So, idiot number one,” he said, unaffected by Declan’s mood, “what’s our next move?”
Silently steaming, Declan seriously considered returning Leroy to his deathbed one more time.
**
RAMSEY SAT IN the darkened room, the last vestiges of light gone as the day had turned to night. He’d left the others in the kitchen a while ago and had remained in the bedroom. Fatigue burned his eyes, and his stomach demanded food, but he ignored both. He knew he needed sleep, but his restlessness prevented it. He continued to watch the still form in the bed, barely visible in the mound of covers. Only her eyes and forehead peered out, but she showed no signs of life, save the occasional movement from the rise and fall from her breathing.
A noise from the doorway broke his stare, and he looked up.
Leroy stood just inside the door, watching him. “You need to get some rest,” he said.
Ramsey paid no attention to him and returned his gaze to Sarah’s sleeping form. Sleeping was the wrong word, though. She had retreated somewhere, and he didn’t know how to bring her back.
Leroy entered the bedroom. He moved closer to his friend and, grabbing a chair, placed it next to Ramsey’s and sat. He stayed quiet for a moment as he also watched Sarah in the bed. Then he eyed his friend and tried to reach out again. “Sherlock, listen to me. There’s nothing else you can do. The rest is up to her.”
Ramsey said nothing at first, but then, shifting forward in his chair and putting his elbows on his knees, he looked down. He sat there for a moment and then turned his head toward Leroy, his eyes conveying the pain Leroy knew he felt. “She’s dying, Leroy.”
Leroy said nothing. No words came to mind. Ramsey turned his head back down and continued to look at the floor.
Leroy finally found his voice. “I sent Hannah and Declan to get some rest. They’re both exhausted.” He watched Ramsey, who had no reaction. “You need to do the same. I’ll stay with her.”
Ramsey sighed, still looking at the floor. “You need to go home to Olivia. You’ve been through hell yourself.”
“I already talked to Olivia. Told her that work required me to leave town for a few days. I’ll explain it all to her later.” When Ramsey said nothing, he continued. “And besides, after Sarah did her magic on me, I feel great. Whatever mojo she used, it’s got quite a kick to it. I’ve got more energy than the four of you combined, probably twice more, by the looks of you. Point is, get your butt out of that chair and go get some sleep. And,” he added, “there’s an outstanding peanut butter and jelly sandwich waiting for you, if you’re interested.”
Hoping he’d swayed his friend, Leroy waited.
Ramsey lifted his head again to look at Sarah, appearing to think about it. He brought his hand up to his face and rubbed his eyes. Putting his hand back down, he seemed to come to a decision. “What about another threat? How do we know we’re safe?”
“I talked to Declan about that. He did not perceive any threats for the time being. Whoever this is will need to regroup before coming at us again.”
Ramsey considered that before responding. “What you mean is, he won’t come for her now, if she’s going to die anyway.”
Leroy argued with that statement. “If that’s what I meant, then I would have said it.”
Ramsey remained quiet. Finally, he responded. “Okay, Leroy.” He swiveled his head toward his friend. “I’ll go get some rest. Just give me a few minutes with her. I’ll be out in a second.”
Leroy read his friend’s eyes and understood. He nodded his head. “You okay?” he asked.
Ramsey gave him a sad smile and stared back down at the carpet. “No,” he said.
Leroy didn’t answer. He sat for a moment with him and stood slowly. “I’ll wait in the living room.” He walked to the door and stopped. Looking back at Ramsey, he said, “I’ll come back if you’re not out of here in five minutes.”
Ramsey glanced up at him. “Stop worrying about me.” He sat taller in his seat. “I’ll be out soon.”
With a last look, Leroy left the room.
Ramsey watched him leave, then focused back on Sarah. He stood from his seat and approached the bed. She lay on her side, facing away from him. He thought about the preceding few days and all that had happened, about how much she’d been through and how she’d come to trust him. He realized how much he’d come to like her, how much she’d amazed him with her courage and willingness, how much he’d learned as she’d begun her Shift. He thought about all the potential she contained and the abilities she’d exhibited in such a short period of time. Knowing Leroy would hold him to his five minutes, he kicked off his shoes and lifted the covers. Sliding in beneath them, he moved up closer to her. He dropped the covers back down onto both of them. Ramsey shifted himself up next to her, his front to her back. Despite the covers and the clothes she wore, her body was still cold to the touch. He slid as close as he could, making as much contact with her as possible. His chest to her back and his legs tucked up behind hers, he wrapped his top arm around her, bringing it up to lie against her belly. He eased his other arm beneath her head and neck, ensuring her comfort as well as his own. Then he rested his head against the back of hers, his chin resting against the back of her head. He moved even closer wherever he could. The blankets covered them both, and his body heat began to escalate, warming him, but not her. Comfortable against her, he stilled his mind, thinking only about bringing her back. He knew this was dangerous, but if it worked, then it was worth the risk. He hoped Leroy would understand.
He breathed deeply and relaxed his body, letting all his emotions quiet. As his energy calmed and his mind emptied, he reached out to her. Remembering how she felt that first time he touched her hand, such a short time ago, he recalled the rush up his arm and the tingles on his skin. He used that memory to search for her now. He sought for her energetic signature, and he let that energy build within him. He used his abilities to increase his own energy in order to build the power he would need to connect with her, when, or if, he found her. His mind, focused singularly on Sarah, slowly lost its connection to the external world. The room, the bed, the sounds, the smells all disappeared from his consciousness as Ramsey moved deeper and deeper into a trance-like state. Within minutes, he’d drifted away from the outside world and, letting go completely, was lost in his search for her.
Eight minutes later, Leroy returned, ready to drag his friend out by the ears if necessary. It surprised him when he saw the empty chair. Leroy scanned the dark room as his eyes adjusted to the faint light that drifted in from the main part of the house. He glanced at the mound under the bedcovers, but ignored it as he wondered where his friend had disappeared to. As soon as he had the thought, his eyes shot back to the bed. He leaned over and flipped on the bedside lamp. Soft light flooded the room, and he saw what he’d feared—two heads instead of one.
“Damn it,” he muttered to himself. He knew he should have been suspicious when Sherlock had not argued with him earlier about leaving the room and getting some rest. “What have you done, Sherlock?” he said to no one as he watched the unconscious forms in the bed, one wrapped around, and embracing, the other. “What the hell have you done?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
* * *
RAMSEY LUMBERED THROUGH the stillness, his limbs as heavy as tree trunks. The air felt weighted, and he fought the urge to
lift his arms to part it. Devoid of color, his surroundings carried only the hues of browns and grays as if he walked through a foggy moonscape, the only difference being the heaviness he carried with him as he walked. Despite his weariness, he kept moving forward, Sarah’s energy signature still tingling through him. He could feel her nearness, but she’d closed down considerably, and making his way toward her only increased in difficulty as he got closer. He continued to move, though, determined to force his way through. He felt her shutting down, and despite his mental fatigue, he picked up his pace.
After what felt like hours, the fogginess began to lift and some of the weight in his limbs eased. He slowed his pace and stilled himself, reconnecting to her. Feeling her proximity, he continued in the direction in which he felt pulled. As he moved, the fog continued to clear and his movements became easier and faster-paced.
Suddenly, the air around him lifted, and he became aware of her presence. He couldn’t see her, but he sensed her. He’d managed to breach the defenses she’d erected around herself, and he now slowed his approach, gently moving toward her through her waning energetic field. As he did so, the tingling within him increased and the essence of her surged through him. It was exactly what he’d felt when he’d taken her hand before, as if she knew he was there. Without a second thought about the consequences to himself, he stepped toward the coalescence that appeared before him as his proximity to it increased. He felt her warm presence and, without hesitation, merged with it as it surrounded and enveloped him.
Now connected with her, he found himself ignited with heat, power, and desire, and its intensity overwhelmed him. It lasted only seconds before it waned. It was if she’d recognized him, and in her excitement, her energy had flared, but unable to sustain it, she began to deteriorate again. He felt her weakness and knew she had no remaining reserves. With his added presence and stability, though, he hoped to help her find her way back. He shivered as he felt the cold for the first time.
**
THE SUN BROKE through the clouds as it rose above the horizon. Slices of light pierced the curtain edges as the dawn broke, and the house brightened. Hannah had awakened earlier and, after a quick shower, had moved through the house opening a few strategic curtains to let in the light. She suspected Declan would disapprove, but she was tired of walking through a dreary house. Besides, the house had plenty of cover from the front fence and the large shrubs and trees surrounding the property, and if anyone were snooping around, Declan would realize it.
She started a cup of coffee for herself and debated going to the bedroom to check on Sarah. Everything was quiet, and Leroy had not awakened her during the night, which he’d promised to do if anything changed. She hoped Ramsey was getting some much-needed sleep. The coffeemaker slowed its dripping, and she pulled out her mug and added some cream. When she turned, she almost dropped the cup, startled to see Declan standing behind her.
“Jeez…” she said, checking to see if any of her coffee had spilled, “you scared me.” She sighed at him. “Where did you come from?”
He looked at her with a smile and reached for his own coffee mug. “Sorry, bad habit. I tend to be in stealth mode most of the time.”
She moved out of the way as he cleaned out the small filter to start his own cup of coffee. “How long have you been up?” she asked.
“About an hour. I got a shower and checked the house and the perimeter and did some calisthenics.”
“Really?” She studied him. “You sure you and Ramsey aren’t biologically related?”
He smirked at her when she said that. “Completely sure.”
“Could have fooled me,” she said to herself.
“What?” he asked, hearing her murmur.
She walked to the kitchen table to sit down. “Nothing.”
He doubted that, but he let it pass.
Declan wondered about Sarah’s current condition. He’d received no threatening signals in the night, so he assumed that Leroy was with her and that his brother was getting some downtime, which he sorely needed, considering his mood the previous day. His own coffee ready, Declan picked it up and sat down with Hannah at the table.
He noticed the brightness in the house and the sunlight streaming through the windows. “The curtains are open,” he stated.
Hannah couldn’t help herself. “My, your powers of observation are impressive.”
He ignored her sarcasm. “Why are they open?”
She narrowed her eyes at him as he went into security mode. “I think it was the curtain fairy.”
He looked at her strangely. “The curtain what?”
She rolled her eyes at him. “Come on, Declan. This house is like a tomb. We’ve got to get some sunlight in here. Things are gloomy enough without having a depressing atmosphere, too. Besides, you said yourself, everything was clear.”
“It’s clear for now. But things change. We don’t need anyone looking though our windows and seeing objects flying around or women with red skin bringing people back to life. It could cause a few problems.”
This time, she gave him an annoyed look. “Granted, Declan, we don’t need that, but circumstances are slightly different at the moment. Nobody’s healing anybody, much less heaving objects around the room. I think we can allow ourselves a short period of daylight for the time being.”
He didn’t say anything and seemed to quietly debate the matter. He relaxed a little before deciding. “All right,” he said, “they can stay open for now. But if anything changes, they close. Okay?”
She smiled and relaxed her own posture, grateful to have won the small battle with him.
They drank their coffee in relative silence, appreciating the sun as it warmed the room, until Leroy quietly entered. He approached the table and sat down with them, but seemed distant, staring off as if distracted.
“Good morning,” she said, but when he didn’t say anything, she asked, “What’s wrong?”
Declan worried the worst had happened. “Is it Sarah?”
Leroy sighed at Declan’s question. “Your brother is a damn fool.”
“You mean my stepbrother,” Declan replied, furrowing his brow. “What’s he done now?” Leroy’s irritation was evident, but beneath it sat a layer of worry, and Declan felt it. He sat up higher in his chair and waited for Leroy to answer.
“He’s connected with her. Or at least I assume he has. Damn idiot. He knows better.”
“Connected with her? What does that mean?” asked Hannah.
Declan didn’t say anything.
Leroy answered her. “He reached out to her to connect energetically to try and bring her back.”
Declan sat back in his chair and looked down at the floor.
Hannah didn’t understand. “Isn’t that a good thing? Don’t we want to bring her back?”
“It’s one of the first rules of protection,” said Leroy. “You never connect with a Shifter. Their energy is highly unstable. Their energy fluctuations can affect the connected individual. They can suck you dry or overwhelm you and cause your whole system to short-circuit. Once you connect, you’re unlikely to disconnect until the Shifter releases you. It’s dangerous. And that’s just with a Gray-Line. With a Red-Line…” He didn’t continue. The implications didn’t have to be spelled out.
Declan finally responded. He raised his head and put his coffee cup on the table. “I told him not to compromise himself for her.” He stared back at Leroy. “Now what do we do? Can we get him back?”
Leroy’s face did not look hopeful.
“Where is he?” asked Hannah.
“The bedroom.”
Hannah and Declan stood at the same time. Heading into the room, they both stopped as they took in the sight in front of them. Ramsey lay behind Sarah, wrapped around her as if in a warm embrace. The blankets enveloped both of them.
Leroy joined them in the room.
“We can’t just wake him up?” asked Hannah.
“If he’s connected with her, no, we can’t. If we pul
l him away with force, it could kill him.”
“You said ‘if’ he’s connected with her. What if he’s not? What if he didn’t succeed?” Declan asked as he watched the duo apparently sleeping in the bed.
“Then he’s getting a damn good sleep right now, which he better enjoy, because when he wakes up, I’m going to make him wish he’d slept forever.”
“Well, how do we know which it is?” Hannah was still trying to grasp this new information.
“We don’t. He’ll either wake up refreshed or he’ll stay that way until she lets him go. If we try to wake him and he is connected, it could be disastrous for both of them.”
Declan stood at the foot of the bed. He appeared calm, yet focused.
Leroy noticed. “What are you getting, Declan?”
Declan stood quietly for a few more seconds. He closed his eyes before opening them again, looking up at Hannah and Leroy. “He succeeded. He’s connected to her. I can’t feel him at all.”
His suspicions confirmed, Leroy rubbed a hand over his head in aggravation. “I figured he’d succeed. Damn fool never gives up until he gets what he wants.”
Hannah listened to the exchange between the two men. “So what do we do now?” she asked.
“We wait,” said Declan.
“For what?”
Declan shifted his gaze from the couple in the bed to Leroy, who returned his look and sighed as he answered Hannah’s question. “Wait to see if he can bring her back without getting hurt, or worse, in the process.”
“And if he can’t bring her back?” Hannah asked.
Leroy looked at her. “Then in all likelihood, he dies with her.”
The implications of Ramsey’s actions finally sinking in, Hannah appeared shocked. She walked over to Ramsey’s side of the bed and lifted the sheets.
“Careful,” said Declan. “What are you doing?”
Hannah gingerly touched Ramsey’s skin. “He’s ice cold.” She checked Sarah. “She’s sucking the heat right out of him.” Hannah took Ramsey’s pulse and then Sarah’s. “Their heartbeats match exactly. His vitals mirror hers”. She put the blankets back down to cover them. “He won’t be able to handle these conditions for very long. He needs food and water. He’s an icicle right now. We need to heat him up.”