“One more year,” my mom answered for me. She was keeping the conversation going with the doctor, happy to use me as an excuse.
“Junior, huh? I have a daughter your age.”
I strained my eyes to see his name tag but the last name didn’t ring a bell.
He continued. “I just don’t understand how you… All I have to say is, you’re both very lucky. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me. Get better, Teagan.
Okay?”
The doctor tapped the foot of my bed with his hand and stepped out of the room, but not without one final smile, which was obviously for my mother.
“What was that all about?” I finally managed to croak.
“I’m not really sure,” she admitted, but the look on her face told it all.
Change couldn’t be avoided any longer, and whether she was ready for it or not, life had a plan for my mom.
In sharing this weird little moment with her, my face inevitably fell and gloom filled me like helium.
“Not what you planned for a first date, was it?” She sat at the edge of the bed, fingering the scratchy hospital blanket.
I turned my head, my eyes were filling with tears again.
“Did the whole town really go up in flames?” I asked.
“Just some of it. Mostly fields, though. Bartlett’s skating rink is gone. The police are still investigating.”
My cheeks burned at the thought of having to admit I was the one responsible for the fire. Mentioning Hadrian and pleading insanity might work, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
“The fire marshal thinks the cause was electrical.”
“Electrical?”
“You know, from that old warehouse where the kids have been hanging out? They should have torn down that dump long ago. I’m sure everyone will be happy when it’s finally gone.” She touched my cheek. “Are you thirsty? I’ll run down to the cafeteria for some tea, or maybe I can find a nurse around here.”
My mother was up and sticking her head out into the hallway before I could object, then she pulled it back in.
“I’ll be right back. Just close your eyes and rest.” And she was gone.
I did as I was told because there was nothing better to do. Instantly, I regretted it. My mind began to wander in the silence of the sterile room, searching for signs of Garreth. I had never felt so alone. I tried to will fluttering sounds to come from the corners of the little room, or perhaps from behind the curtain, but they wouldn’t come.
I was resigned to give up when I heard it. Faint but true.
I felt him near me. I smelled him, though it wasn’t his scent alone. It was mixed with the fire that had burned around us in the chapel, spicy, pungent, smoky — but still his. I wanted to open my eyes to see if he was really there beside me. But I knew he wouldn’t be. Not here. I didn’t want to spoil this moment so I kept my eyes tightly shut.
“You can open them, silly.” His voice was beautiful, husky.
“I don’t want to. You’re not really here and if I can’t see you I’ll be a mess.”
“Just open them,” he said softly. He lifted my bandaged hand then placed it back gently at my side.
I let my eyes open and settle on the brilliant light in front of me. I couldn’t see him. Oh, why did I listen? This was how it was going to be from now on, until it was my turn to follow. I might as well get used to it. But then the sun moved behind a cloud, shifting its light and I shook my head in disbelief.
“You’re here? You’re really here? How?”
I must have looked like an idiot, beaming uncontrollably in my blue-and-white hospital gown. Then it dawned on me and I was even more dumbstruck. Garreth was sitting on the edge of my bed wearing an identical hospital gown and looking incredible in it, in a way I never could. We both broke into laughter and he leaned over to kiss me.
“You’re real?” I think it was more of a question I was asking myself but it escaped me and I said it out loud.
“That’s some power you have. Even I had no idea of its strength.”
I just shook my head. I didn’t know what to say or ask.
Garreth continued, “It boiled down to one thing. Truth.”
He picked up my bandaged hand again. “To create unity within your spirit is a hard thing, but you managed.
You held what you believe in your heart, and never let it go. You never lost yourself. Even though you admit that a bit of darkness lures you, you never caved. Seeing through Hadrian was almost impossible and Mathur and the other Guardians are very proud of you.”
“But how can you be here with me? I thought you were gone forever. The fire…”
His kiss stopped my rambling. “Looks like I’m here to stay.”
“You mean…?” I stumbled over my words. “Are you…?”
“No, not completely, like you. What you did, when you came after me, showed me that as long as you believe in something then any risk is worth taking, even if you risk failing. You see, I have to stay.”
I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears. He looked so human, disheveled and worn out, but that would be our secret. And to me he couldn’t have looked more wonderful.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still find a way to protect you.”
He snickered. “Of course, I might call on y o u for protection now and then. You’re going to put me out of a job.”
I shook my head back and forth, clueless.
“You saved me from the fire.” His blue eyes were melting a hole right through me.
“I saved you? But how?”
Is this what the doctor meant?
“You found me lying in the woods. I don’t know how you did it but you managed to drag me out. When we got to the road, a car happened to be driving by and you flagged it down. Now we’re here.”
Then he smiled and leaned over to kiss me. I closed my eyes, imagining it all and it seemed surreal to me.
Except him. He was real. He was here and I was never going to lose him again.