Whimper (34 page)

“She’s okay, right?” I asked one of the guards nervously, but he only shrugged.

She had to be okay. The guard ahead of me said something into a radio then led me towards the lobby after a crackle of static I couldn’t understand.

I opened my mouth to question him, but then I saw her across the room. Her chocolate curls hung wildly around her face and dark smudges marred the skin under her bright eyes, but it was absolutely Zoe. She sat in a chair in the hotel lobby, wrapped in a hospital blanket with a mug clenched in her hands as she watched the national news, totally transfixed by the coverage.

I meant to rush over and surprise her, but I hadn’t made it two steps before I was calling her name. Her head jerked in my direction and she shot to her feet, the blanket falling away as she thrust the mug away from her and started running towards me, hospital gown billowing around her and bare feet slapping the floor.

We collided into a tangled, desperate knot of hands and lips, relief and fear in every touch. “I was so afraid you were dead,” she whimpered against my mouth. “I was so afraid.”

I pulled her tight, lifting her off her feet to crush her against me. People were staring, but I didn’t give a fuck. Let them stare. Let them take a damn picture if they wanted. We’d earned the right to make a spectacle of ourselves. I kissed her until our lips were swollen, and one of the guards tapped me on the shoulder. I ignored him, but forced myself to focus on the questions I needed answered.

“Zoe, what did you inject me with and where did you get it? I asked urgently.

She looked up, surprised by my sudden mood shift. “I couldn’t use the one that would have killed you. I’m sorry, I know I promised, but I couldn’t do it—” I put my finger to her lips.

“I’m not mad at you for
not
killing me! Don’t be ridiculous. What was the injection really?” I urged.

“I went back to the house to find your medications and get Brianna to help. She found your notes and finished your serum. It was your serum. Why? Did it work?” Her voice rose in excitement. “Oh my God, Elliott! Did it work?”

I glanced over at the guards, who were crowding closer. “Maybe. I’ll have to see test results, but it seems like it may have.”

Zoe squealed, a high happy sound, as she threw her arms around my neck and squeezed. “I knew you’d do it! I told you it would happen!” She pulled away, suddenly looking concerned. “They’re saying there are more cases outside of the quarantine zone. Are you going to help make more serum?”

I glanced over at the guard beside me, who cleared his throat and tapped his watch. “Zoe, I have to go with them. I am going to work on the serum, and I have to help with the investigation and hearings too. I don’t really know where they’re going to take me, but I’ll be back for you. I promise.”

Pain flitted over her tired face, but she shook her head and the look of stubborn determination I was so familiar with returned. “But you might need me. You might need my help for the serum,” she hinted.

“I want to keep you out of this if I can. You have a life here and a business. If things get ugly, I’ll find a way to get to you. There’s no stopping it now. The virus is out there. The world is going to have to prepare for it to spread. All we can do now is try to treat it.” I kissed her one more time, holding on until the guards pulled me away. “I’ll be back,” I called again as I stepped out of the lobby and towards the SUV waiting outside for me.

MUSE

The Brotherhood of the Guardians has existed for thousands of years to serve a single purpose: the protection of Talents, the mortal descendants of the original nine Muses.

Twenty-one year-old Daniel Lyoncourt has trained his entire life to join the Guardians. Daniel is prepared to risk his life in order to keep his Talent safe, but when he's assigned to nineteen year-old Anna Saint-James, he discovers that his life isn't the only thing he could lose. Anna has no idea how special she is and knows nothing about her abilities. He must teach her to control her gifts, keep her safe, and hope that he can find a place in her life as something more than just her bodyguard.

All power comes at a price. Like all Talents, Anna must one day make a choice: lose all of her powers, or ascend to a higher plane, leaving behind everyone she loves.

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These days authors are often told they need to publish a new title every three months to maintain a fan base. Well, it took me considerably longer than that to produce this book and yet, here you are, reading it. For that alone, you have my sincere and utmost gratitude. Thank you, dear reader, for giving me a chance to entertain you with the escapades of my imaginary friends.

***

I owe thanks to many other people whose encouragement or talents helped me along the way. First, I’d like to thank my family for making it possible for me to lose many hours in these pages. There were some rough mornings after Mommy went a little too long without sleep, but my husband and girls are unfailing in their support. I love them more than dark chocolate, books, and pajama pants. That’s saying a lot.

***

Bouquets of appreciation to Michele Breaux-Rowley, Ryan Rowley, Heather Miller, and Adam Swinehart for reading early drafts of Whimper and encouraging me to keep working on it, even when I felt like I was turning zombie myself. You’re all amazing and I’m proud to call you friends.

***

Thanks also to my editor, Todd Barselow for polishing my prose. It does look better when it’s all clean and shiny!

Erin McFadden lives in Indiana with her husband and their two beautiful daughters. When not writing, she enjoys reading, doing craft projects, and spending time with family and friends. Erin works in law enforcement and has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and criminology from Ball State University.

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