Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Come get some Tylenol.
I shake my head at Lucy’s request in my mind. I don’t think I can bring it back here. Just like my clothes change, it will be taken from me.
You have to try, she insists. I’ll have everything you need waiting for you at the bridge. I know you don’t want me to come there, so I won’t, but you have to try to bring the medicine to them. They won’t remember this in two weeks, Jonas.
She’s right.
“I’m going to go get some medicine,” I inform John. “She will need clean water to drink.”
“I will fetch it,” John promises as I hurry out of his house and make the rounds to the other members of the coven.
Every household has someone gravely ill, including young children.
Guilt sits heavy in my stomach as I cross the bridge. There’s a basket waiting for me, and without even looking inside, I pick it up and cross back over.
To my utter shock, the basket and its contents make it over with me.
I run to Louisa and John’s and offer her two Tylenol first.
“What is that?” John asks, staring at the plastic bottle in my hand.
“It’s medicine,” I reply and urge Louisa to drink the water to wash down the two capsules. “It will help with her fever. We have to get it lowered.”
I use a digital thermometer against her forehead to get a reading.
“It’s much too high.”
“Jonas, where did you get all of this?” John asks, concern thick in his voice. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
“I know.” I look into the other man’s eyes. “I cannot explain it to you, but I assure you that this will help her. I will not do anything to harm your wife.”
He wipes his hand over his mouth and then looks down at Louisa.
“I know you would not harm her. But later, I want to know what is going on.”
“I will tell you whatever I am able to,” I assure him. When I’m done with the medicine, I repack the basket and stand. “I will be back to give her another dose later. I have to go to the other homes and help them, as well.”
“Go,” he urges. “Help them. And thank you, Jonas.”
“You are welcome.”
I move from home to home, answering similar questions about what I have with me and how it came to be in my possession. But my coven trusts me, and they don’t press when I evade the questions as best I can.
When I leave the last house, I hurry back over the bridge to Lucy’s so I can restock the medicine and check in with her.
“Jonas,” Lucy says and hurries to me, pulling me in to hold me close. “My goddess, what is going on?”
“I don’t know.” I accept the water she offers and take a long drink to soothe my dry throat. “They’re so sick. I don’t know what kind of virus it is, but it’s caused a bad fever. Some have rashes from it. I need more supplies.”
“I had more delivered.” She passes me two bags filled with more medicine, teas, honey, and everything else they could need. “You have to stay with them for a while, Jonas. You know it’s the right thing to do.”
“I don’t want to leave you here alone.”
“Nera and I will sleep at Breena’s,” she assures me. “I don’t want you to worry at all, and if I stay here, that’s what will happen. We will be fine with Breena.”
I breathe a sigh of relief and rest my forehead against hers.
Thank you. I’m sorry this is happening.
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for.” She wraps her sweet arms around me to hug me tightly. “Something is fucking with all of us. In both times. It pisses me off, Jonas.”
“You and me both, my love.” I kiss her cheek. “I have to go back. It’s almost time to start handing out medicine again. And I need to see if it’s helping with the fevers and such.”
“I really should come and help you,” she says.
“I’d rather you stay here,” I reply. “Not that I don’t want or need your help, but something in my gut tells me you’re safer here.”
“I’m in the habit of listening to gut instincts,” she says with a nod. “But, seriously, if you need anything else, just say so, and I’ll bring it to you.”
“Thank you.” I pull her against me and kiss her long and slow. “That will have to tide us over for a little while.”
She presses her lips together and then licks them, seeming to savor my taste.
“Mm.” She smiles when I narrow my eyes at her. “Go take care of them. I’ll be here when you’re done.”
I kiss her one last time before taking the bags and walking back to the bridge.
I’m relieved when, once again, the medicines and bags make it through with me, and then I hurry right over to Louisa’s house. John immediately lets me in and blows out a breath.