Page 84 of Hallows End
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’resosick. 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 needanythingelse, 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.
“How is she?”
“A little better,” he says. “But she keeps talking about a curse and how we have to lift it. She’s making no sense.”
Actually, she makes excellent sense.
I hurry to her and see that Louisa is sitting up in bed, but she’s definitely weak—her head lolls back and forth. When she sees me, she reaches her hand out for me.
“Jonas.”
“I am here, my friend.” I take her hand and kiss her fingers. “Is the medicine helping?”
“A little. Jonas, we have to lift the curse.”
My heart leaps at her words. How is it possible that she remembers?
“How do we do that, Louisa?”
Her eyes fill with tears. “With a sacrifice.”
ChapterNineteen
Lucy