I could only imagine what that meant.
“Come with me,” Sin said.
I shook my head. “No, you go. She probably doesn’t want to see anyone but family right now.”
“You are family, babe.”
I smiled. “I mean you and your dad. Go on. You’re wasting time.”
He kissed my cheek, then took off.
I walked out into the living room. Aunt Zinnia was in the kitchen making something for dinner. My stomach grumbled, and I realized how little I’d eaten lately. It did smell good in the house but not entirely like dinner.
I leaned on the breakfast bar. “What are you working on?” There were too many ingredients covering the counters and too many bowls and pots filling the sink to tell what was going on.
“Comfort food.” She smiled. “Chicken and rice casserole, green beans with bacon, and biscuits for dinner, with chocolate cherry cobbler for dessert.”
“That sounds amazing and perfect.” The smells made sense now. “Anything I can do to help?”
“Child, you have helped enough already. Thank you for everything you did to get Lila home. This family will forever be indebted to you and your friends.”
“This family is my family.” Then I shrugged. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to help.”
“You’re a good girl. I’m so glad you and Sinclair ended up together. And you’re right. This family is absolutely your family.”
Sugar came tearing through the living room, Spider hot on her heels. They zipped past us, ran around the dining-room table, then back through the living room and disappeared again.
I laughed. “I think they’re a little bored. Usually we try to play with them more. And we’ve been a little preoccupied lately. Not that it could be helped.”
“Well, if they keep that up, they’ll have to nap soon.”
“Do you have any pets?” I couldn’t remember if we’d talked about that or not.
“No. The place where I live doesn’t allow them.” A sly smile bent her fuchsia-tinted lips. “Which is why I’ve decided to move.”
“What?”
She nodded as she sprinkled breadcrumbs over the casserole. “Don’t say anything just yet, but I’m going to take Anson and Lila up on their offer to move here with them. As soon as Lila’s well enough to handle it, that is. After what just happened…” She shook her head, her voice suddenly thick with emotion. “I just want to be closer, that’s all.”
“I can totally understand that.”
She brushed her hands off. “And once I do, I’m going to get a cat.”
Spider jumped up onto the chair next to me, making me jerk back in surprise. He put his front paws on the counter. “Someone say Spider’s name?”
“No.” I laughed and ruffled the fur on his head. “But we were talking about cats.”
Aunt Zinnia made eyes at Spider. “Look at that handsome boy. I hope I can find a looker just like him.”
Spider kneaded his paws against the granite counter. “Auntie says Spider handsome.”
“Because you are.” I booped his nose. “Handsome and full of yourself.” I looked at Aunt Zinnia. “Be careful what you wish for.”
“Oh, I know Spider is a one-of-a-kind kitty, but I want one with just as much personality. Granted, getting one that talks would be a bonus, but I know that’s not going to happen.”
“You never know. I mean, we live in a pretty interesting world.” I made a mental note to see about getting her one of the prototype translation collars, if she did actually adopt a cat. Sometimes it was good to be a royal who could pull those kinds of strings.
“That is very true.” She picked up the enormous casserole. “Could you open the oven for me?”
“Sure.” I came around the breakfast bar to do as she’d asked.
Sin walked out looking like he’d been punched in the gut.
Immediately, my stomach sank. I left Zinnia to finish with the food. “What is it?”
He shook his head. “She’s not doing well. It’s more than just dehydration. Dr. Brewer thinks she needs a blood transfusion to have any chance at a full recovery.”
My hand went to my mouth. Worry made me sick. “Can the doctor do that?”
“Yes, but she’s got to find the right kind of blood my mom needs.”
“I’m O negative. I’m a universal donor.”
His lips parted. “You are?”
“Yes. Go see if that will work. We can do it right now.”
“Okay.” He ran back down the hall.
Aunt Zinnia came over, cupped my face in her hands for a moment, then pulled me into her arms and hugged me. “You’re such a good girl.”
She was squeezing me so hard, I couldn’t quite get enough breath to answer her properly. “Thanks,” I managed.
Sin came back a few seconds later. “Dr. Brewer says that will work.”
Aunt Zinnia let me go so she could clap. “Such good news.”
I took a deep, welcome breath. “All right. Let’s do this.”
Within a few minutes, I was lying on the bed next to Lila. It was heartbreaking to see her in such a wretched state. She was almost nonresponsive and looked as if a strong wind would blow her into dust. Her lips were parched, her skin cracked and flaking. Even her nails and hair looked brittle.
I told myself that was all going to change very soon. That thought alone was what kept me from crying.
From Anson’s red-rimmed eyes, he’d already been doing that. “Thank you, Jayne.”
“I’m happy to help.”
Sin stood beside the bed, holding my hand. He looked on the verge of tears himself. I understood. If the situation were reversed and my mom was as sick as Lila, I’d have been a puddle of rage and emotion.
Dr. Brewer came over with her supplies. Her dark hair was pinned into a big, messy bun, and her eye makeup was on point. Something about that was very reassuring. I mean, if she could nail that kind of precision liner application, a little blood transfusion should be a piece of cake.
At the thought of cake, my stomach grumbled again.
“Are you hungry?” Sin asked.
“Apparently.” I didn’t want to tell him I’d been thinking about cake. But I was definitely going to need sugar after this.
Dr. Brewer smiled at me. “This won’t hurt a bit. Just a pinch so I can get the needle in, and then the hard part is over.”
I nodded. “Do whatever you need to do.” It didn’t hurt that she was a witch. I was hoping that meant there’d be a little magical pain reliever.
“I’ll need your arm flat on the bed.” She looked at Sin. “Sorry. You’ll have to let go of her hand.”
“Okay.” He gave me one last squeeze, then released me.
I put my arm out straight. And closed my eyes. I wasn’t that squeamish, but this was still a needle going into my arm for the express purpose of removing my blood.
I guess it was a good thing Greyson and I hadn’t worked out.
All vampire ex-boyfriend references aside, I was fine not knowing the details of the transfusion. “Just tell me when it’s over.”
“Will do,” Dr. Brewer said. “If you feel faint, let me know, all right?”