She laughed. “Yeah, there’re lots of those in the world. Would you mind if I examined your back and legs?”
“Have at it.”
She inclined her head. “How far along are you, Sarah?”
I touched my stomach proudly. “Not quite two months.”
“Congratulations. I have three kids myself, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
“Any advice for a first-time mom, Detective?”
She smiled. “Get lots of sleep while you can...and, for the love of God, let them do an epidural.”
I met her gaze and smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
She snapped off her gloves and threw them in the trash. “You’re clear. Obviously, the witness was mistaken.”
“Right. I think I would have noticed if I’d been shot.”
“I said the same thing, but we had to check it out. You’re officially ruled out. Good luck with everything,” she said, “and thanks for your cooperation.”
Chapter 3
A tall, dark-skinned woman with light blue eyes and a long white lab coat walked in, and I recognized her immediately. So I wasn’t hallucinating. The woman I’d seen in the emergency room was very real, and my gaze was drawn to the ring on her right hand; I was sure she was one of the blue-ringed Immortals. She had the same blue-eyed gaze of the man in the minimart as she stared at me inquisitively, and I wondered if she had any idea who I was.
“I’m Dr. Meyers,” she said, smiling and shaking my hand.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I said.
She raised an eyebrow. “Do you remember anything you said in your delirious fit last night?”
My stomach clenched. “I know I said some off-the-wall things, but I’m fine now.”
The lines in her face softened, and compassion flickered in her dark eyes. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
I gazed down at her finger. “That’s a gorgeous ring. It must be one of a kind.”
“Thank you. It’s very...special.”
“Do you know where I could find a ring like that?” I asked nonchalantly. “Maybe my boyfriend could get me one for Christmas.” When she didn’t answer, I asked again, “Where do I get something so magnificent?”
“It’s...priceless,” she said, hidden meaning lurking in her words.
“I doubt that. Everything has a price,” I said.
She stared at the ruby on my left hand. “Not this ring. It’s probably as rare as yours or your husband’s.”
My eyes widened. My husband? How does she know I’m married to Victor? Even if I had blabbed about it, I was sure no one would believe a word out of my crazy mouth during that rant. I met her gaze, but she didn’t back down; it was obvious she knew I was Immortal. I tried to remember exactly what I had said, but everything was a blur.
She shot me a questioning look. “My staff is anxious to know how you had the strength of ten men.”
I stared her down, and from the stern look on her face, I knew she wasn’t going to let it go. “We both know it wasn’t drugs, don’t we?”
“Yes, just as we both know that everything you said last night was true,” she retorted.
“I’m leaving,” I said. “Can you please release me?”
As I spun to leave, the door slammed shut in my face. My breath quickened when I realized the woman was using her superhero powers.
“I’m afraid I can’t let you go.”
I shifted my stance and glared at her. “I don’t appreciate being held against my will.”
“I simply want to talk,” she said in a soft voice, as if she was trying not to spook me.
“You’ve alerted the others,” I accused, my voice frantic. “Those lunatics tried to kill us. We have no idea who you are. Why don’t you enlighten me?”
Amused, she raised an eyebrow. “The better question is, who are you?”
“We don’t mean you any harm,” I said. “We’re not trying to steal your turf.”
Heavy wrinkles burrowed into her forehead. “You’re dangerous, Sarah. You don’t know how to conceal your identity. You let yourself get shot by a gunman on camera, not to mention within the sight of several eyewitnesses. Luckily, Jackson was there to fix everything.”
“Jackson, huh?”
“We call Cameron by his last name.”
“Oh. Well, Cameron or Jackson, I met him...and I was glad he was there.”
She looked at her watch.
I couldn’t help but wonder how long it would take for the troops to arrive. “Did you call the others?” I asked.
“No,” she said. “I’ll keep your identity secret for now.” She took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “Two detectives were just questioning you over the minimart incident. We can’t let you destroy everything we’ve built here. We’ve worked so hard to blend in here, into this life.”
“I didn’t come here to mess up your perfect lives,” I said.
Her face scrunched up in obvious irritation. “Perhaps not, but you messed things up further by coming here, to Mercy Hospital.”
“I was unconscious! My friend Beth called 911.”
Anger seeped into her features. “You let them draw blood from you.”
“They did that without my consent, but my sister’s taking care of that little problem as we speak,” I said proudly.
“Your sister? I’ll fix it,” she snapped. “Why doesn’t the royal family go find another place to live? Preferably in a castle in England, someplace far, far away.”
“My parents live here. Besides, we’re only here temporarily. There’s a man in our world who is trying to steal my baby. I only need to stay here until my son turns eighteen, and then we’ll go back and be out of your hair.”
“Eighteen! We cannot allow you to stay here that long. It will jeopardize our identity.”
Intense frustration swept over me. “I demand a meeting with somebody in charge. I think we can all live in peace, at least for a few years, and I wanna plead my case.”
She looked into my eyes. “Sarah, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I’m sure many grim diagnoses have been given in this very room before.”
“Grim diagnosis? What are you talking about?”
“Sarah, you’re not going to live long enough to raise your son. You’re dying.”
My stomach knotted as the reality of the words hit me full force, and I gripped her hands. “If what you’re saying is true, can you help me?”
“The energy surging through you is unstable. There’s nothing this hospital can do for you. You and I both know that.”
“Only this hospital? Are you suggesting that there’s another place, another hospital that can help me? One that deals with special people such as ourselves?”
“How very perceptive of you, Sarah.” She shook her head. “I’ll see about getting you some help this time, but our people can’t keep taking risks to help you. You need to stay off the radar. I’ll be in touch.” Her voice remained calm and reassuring, as though she was trying to regain my trust.
“Thank you, Dr. Meyers,” I said. “I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate your help.”
“We’ll have to set up a meeting. We need to know what’s going on and how many Immortals we’re going to have to deal with. I’ll try to make sure you’re protected, but I can’t make any promises.”
“Thanks,” I said.
Without another word, she turned around and left. The nurse told me my clothes were in the small dresser and I quickly got dressed.
* * *
Liz drove my mother’s spare car that we had borrowed. After she pulled in and parked, Victor helped me out, and we retired upstairs to my bedroom.
I watched Victor strip off his pants, shirt, and underwear. My gaze darted from his powerful shoulders to his rippling abs and his perfect chest, sculpted with hard muscles. I watched his muscles stretch as he put his arms over his head and yawned; his hair fell in disheveled waves across his forehead.
“I’m exhausted
,” he said.
I slipped into a low-cut, silk nightgown with spaghetti straps. “I was too, until that little strip-tease you just did.”
He lifted a brow. “What?”
“I can’t help it. It turns me on so much when you take your clothes off in front of me.”
He suddenly wrapped me in his glorious arms and kissed me softly on the lips. My heart beat hard in my chest, always my reaction to Victor’s sexy touch. I could never get enough of him. When I let out a soft moan, he started softly kissing my neck. His hot breath felt like fire against my skin. His fingers slid down my back and around the curve of my waist, and his mouth slipped down to my cleavage.
“Promise me you’ll never stop sleeping naked,” I whispered in his ear.
“Never,” he purred.
“Good...and I promise that once I have the baby, I’ll do the same.”
“Seems we’ve struck a deal, milady,” he said as he softly nibbled on my earlobe, drawing another moan from me.
“I want you,” he whispered seductively in my ear.
“I want you right now, inside of me,” I breathed, then collapsed in his arms. Spots started to fill my vision, and I tried desperately to blink them away. “I-I...”
“Sarah? Are you okay?”
Rubbing my temples, I gazed up at him. “I feel woozy, and I’m getting this headache. I’m sorry, Victor.”
“It’s all right. Are you sure you’re okay.”
“I just think...well, maybe we oughtta take a rain-check on this.”
“A rain-check? Hmm. Making love to you in the rain was how I got you pregnant in the first place.”
I chuckled. “No, it’s an expression, a way to say we can do this another time. I think I just need some sleep.”
He gently broke our embrace. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I was getting a bit carried away. How selfish of me when you need your rest.”
I laughed. “It isn’t your fault. My breasts look humongous under this silk nightgown.”
He looked at me hungrily. “It makes my blood boil.”
I winked. “Maybe pregnancy has its advantages. I’m sorry I started something I couldn’t finish. I promise, though, that I’ll rock your world tomorrow night.”
“And I shall hold you to it!” he said.
My body was drained from the energy surge and in desperate need of deep, comfortable sleep. I crawled under the sheets, my eyes heavy from the ordeal I’d been through. I’d probably sleep for hours, in spite of my bladder, which seemed to have shrunk three sizes since I’d gotten pregnant. I smiled as Victor climbed into bed and encircled me in his strong arms; nothing in the world could have felt so sublime at that moment. I cuddled against his strong chest, inhaling his intoxicating scent.
After we cuddled and talked for nearly an hour, he suddenly sat up. “I need some air,” he suddenly said.
“You learned that line from me,” I retorted.
“Hmm. It seems you’re right, my dear. Perhaps I’ll learn to fit in here after all.” He flashed me a fake smile that confirmed that he had no intention of staying in my world for a moment longer than we had to.
“What’s wrong? Where are you going? Aren’t you tired too?”
“Get some sleep,” he said softly. “I’ll be back soon.”
My jaw dropped. “It’s five a.m., Victor.”
“I need to think.” He kissed my cheek and left without another word.
I didn’t want to fall asleep by myself, but I had to give him some space. I had finally drifted off to sleep when my mom knocked on the door, waking me up.
“Hi, honey,” she said. “I thought you were staying the night at Beth’s. Was Christopher having a bad night or something?”
I couldn’t bear to tell my mom I was in the hospital. I knew she’d freak and ask me a million questions I wasn’t ready to answer. “It’s hard to sleep anywhere but in my own bed. It was a dumb idea to even stay there in the first place.”
“I know the feeling,” she said, “but I don’t think it’s safe to be traveling at night, especially with all those people missing. Haven’t you been reading the newspapers?”
“We can handle some psycho, nutcase serial killer. We’re Immortal, Mom.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
I glanced around, expecting my husband to be with her. “Where’s Victor?”
She smiled sweetly and handed me a glass of water. “I thought he was here, with you.”
After thanking her, I took a long sip. “I haven’t seen him.”
“We’re having roast. It’ll be ready soon, honey.”
“Roast for breakfast?”
My mom chuckled. “You slept all day, dear.”
“What time is it?” I asked.
“Dinnertime, of course.”
I ran a hand through my hair. “Wow. I must have been really tired. I’m gonna get dressed and look for Victor. I’ll be back soon.”
“All right. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. Any morning sickness?”
I smiled. “I’m fantastic now. It’s amazing what a little shut-eye can do for a girl.”
She smiled back at me. “Great. See you in a few.”
“Okay, Mom.”
As soon as she left the room, I decided to get a glass of water for my parched throat. As soon as I walked down the stairs, I smelled the roast. A wave of nausea overcame me, and I headed for the toilet. How can I puke when I have nothing in my stomach? It felt miserable, absolutely miserable, but once I was done bowing before the porcelain throne, I felt better and wiped my face with a cool washcloth.
My parents had no idea I’d gone to the hospital. Liz had written a note saying we were staying the night at Beth’s house, so they never questioned where I was. I thought it was best not to tell them what was going on. My mom worried over the simplest things, and I definitely didn’t want her to know her daughter was dying; I knew she needed to know, but I couldn’t bear to put her through mourning my death once again.
I picked up a blue teddy bear with a blue ribbon, a gift I’d bought for Alexander when I’d gone baby shopping with mom. I hugged the bear tightly and swallowed hard as I contemplated Dr. Meyers’s words: “Sarah, you’re dying...” Emotion flooded through me as I realized my mom might never get the chance to meet her grandson.
I got up, pulled my hair back in a haphazard ponytail, washed my face, brushed my teeth, and threw on a clean outfit. As I ran down the stairs, my mom yelled my name. “What, Mom? I’m coming!”
“I know you’re in a hurry to find Victor, but you must be starving,” she said in a concerned tone.
The smell of Mom’s roast, an aroma I used to dream about, now nauseated me. I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to eat, even though I typically loved my mom’s cooking too. The only remedy I could think of was fresh air, and I needed to find some quickly. “I’m gonna, uh...go take a look around,” I said, trying not to gag from the overpowering smell of cooking meat. “Victor just went for one of his walks. We’ll both be back for dinner.”
“Great. Liz and Charles should be back soon. They went with your dad to the store.”
I slipped into my long black coat and threw a pair of gloves on, then I headed into the back yard and through the woods. As I suspected I would, I found Victor there, pacing in a field with a light dusting of snow. I stared at his towering frame. He wore a thick, black coat and leather gloves.
He met my gaze, grinned, and pushed locks of hair out of his face. “Sarah!” he said, wearing an intoxicating smile.
I loved how he said my name; it absolutely took my breath away. I needed his to feel his fiery touch on my skin and his luscious mouth on my lips. I had been aching to hold him, to melt into his warm embrace. His gaze lingered on my mouth, and then he kissed me slowly and deeply, with all the intensity his eyes carried in their powerful stare. Practically devouring him, I kissed him back, pouring into him every single emotion that was surging through me. I loved that man more than anything, and, no matter what,
I was going to stay at his side, where I felt destined to be. I smiled, trying to calm my suddenly racing heart. “You have no idea how much I needed that.”
“Me too, My Queen.”
When he gazed into my eyes, I could tell something was troubling him. “What’s wrong, Victor? You didn’t come back to bed.”
He embraced me in a gentle hug. “I’m fine. How are you feeling?”
“Better now, after that mind-blowing kiss.”
He cupped my face with both of his hands, then softly placed another kiss on my lips.
I touched the hands resting on my face. “What happened to you?”
He plowed his fingers through his gorgeous head of hair. “Nothing. I just came out here to think.”
I shot him a questioning look. “And you’ve been out here thinking all this time?”
Our eyes connected, and we held one another’s eyes captive for a long moment before he pulled me into a tight embrace, as if he never wanted to let me go.
“Baby, please just tell me what’s going on,” I begged. “I need to know.”
His lips pressed into grim lines. “I went back to the hospital and talked to Dr. Meyers.”
“What!? Are you crazy, Victor?” I placed my hands on my hips and let out a long breath. “I can’t believe you did that behind my back.”
“You were sleeping, and I didn’t want to wake you up to ask you about it.”
I peered at him intently. “You shouldn’t have gone without me.”
He stepped forward, and a frown perched between his brows. “I could not possibly come back to bed and sleep when...with you...when I know you’re fading away!” His voice was strained as if he could barely say the awful words. “You’re dying, Sarah. Dying!”
Dying. The word cut deeply, and I averted his gaze, trying to hide the tears that were welling up in my eyes. The sad look on his face spoke volumes, and seeing him in pain broke my heart.
His jaw set into a stern grimace. “We should never have come here, Sarah. I fear we’ve made a horrible mistake.”
I sucked in a deep gulp of air. “We had to, Victor. You would have been killed, and I’d be on my way to giving birth to a fatherless son.”
“This isn’t my world,” he retorted.
Eternal Faith - Book 4 (The Ruby Ring Saga) Page 3