“Yep.” I took a few deep breaths. She cleaned my arm with alcohol or something that felt cool on my skin. That one act made what was about to happen all the more real. And it hit me that if my blood didn’t help Lila, her last moments might be right here next to me.
I was overwhelmed with grief at the idea.
“Um, sweetheart?” Sin’s fingers brushed my palm.
“Yes?”
“It’s snowing in the bedroom.”
I opened my eyes. Large, fluffy flakes drifted down from the ceiling. “Sorry.” I put a stop to that and got my emotions under check. The melodrama could wait until there was reason for it. Right now, I needed to focus on Lila getting well. Positive thoughts and all that.
“Small pinch now,” Dr. Brewer said.
“Okay.” I winced as the needle went in. More like a medium pinch, but I wasn’t going to argue. I pushed out a breath as my stomach turned over from nerves.
“Lila, small pinch now,” I heard Dr. Brewer say from the other side of the bed.
There was no response from Lila. Not a moan, not a sigh, nothing.
I kept my eyes closed. If this didn’t work, I was going to cry like a baby. Snowballs. I was probably going to cry regardless.
Sin laid his hand over mine. I was afraid to move too much with the needle in my arm, but I was glad for the contact. Then I felt his hair against my fingers, and I realized he must have kneeled beside the bed and was now resting his head near my hand.
His closeness was comforting but also a reminder of how desperate the situation was. I tried not to think about whether or not I could feel the blood leaving my body, but I couldn’t stop myself.
I really could feel it. Sort of.
A soft gasp beside me ended that line of thought.
“Lila, can you hear me?” Dr. Brewer asked. “It’s all right. I’m giving you a blood transfusion.”
“Cold,” Lila whispered.
I opened my eyes. “That’s my fault. It’s my blood.”
“It’s okay,” Dr. Brewer reassured me. “It’s not just you.”
What did that mean? Was Lila close to death? I couldn’t hold back any longer. Tears slipped down my temples, dampening my hair. “Is she…?”
Sin kissed my fingers, then pressed them to his cheek.
Dr. Brewer glanced over at me, a stethoscope in her ears. She nodded as she took the end of the stethoscope off of Lila’s chest. “I believe it’s working. I’m just not sure she’s going to be a zombie anymore.”
Chapter Thirty-three
Sinclair
The two most important women in my life were currently asleep, but they were also healthy. Nothing else mattered. Jayne had saved my mother’s life, and while my mom still had some recovering to do, Dr. Brewer felt certain she’d be fine.
And after a few minutes, Dr. Brewer decided my mother probably would remain a zombie, but thanks to Jayne’s powerfully magic blood, Dr. Brewer thought my mom might not look quite so much like a zombie as she once had.
I was pretty sure my mom would be okay with that.
Dr. Brewer had left once my mother had fallen asleep with the command that we call her if any issues arose, although she doubted they would. Besides rest and pain meds if needed, Dr. Brewer said getting my mom back on her moisturizing and vitamin routines should have her up and around shortly.
I knew my dad was still worried about her. And although he hadn’t said it, probably worried about the show. Tomorrow night would be the third night dark. Gabrielle was going to get what she’d been after all along.
They’d officially be in breach of contract. That had to be weighing on him, but I also knew my mother’s health was the only thing that really mattered.
The show would find a new home. Maybe not at a place quite as prestigious as the Oasis, but right now, who cared? I glanced down at my wedding ring. Family was what mattered most. Being together.
And my parents had that again.
Aunt Zinnia set the casserole on the table. Birdie had roused a few minutes ago to join Jack, my dad and me at the table.
“That looks wonderful, Zinnia,” Birdie said.
“Thank you.” Aunt Z took a seat near my father.
Birdie inhaled, nodding. “Food is very important for a shifter’s recovery.”
“So is sugar.”
We all turned to see Jayne shuffling toward us, a smile on her face.
I got up from my chair. “You should be resting.”
She slanted her eyes at me with the kind of long-suffering look I’d grown accustomed to. “I gave blood, not a kidney. I’m fine. Actually, I’m starving, and I need to eat something.”
“Then you should eat.” After what she’d done, I’d go out and buy her doughnuts if that’s what she wanted.
“Oh, I’m gonna.” She took the seat next to me, looking up at me expectantly.
There was no plate. Grinning at her, I kissed the top of her head and went to get a setting for her. When I came back with the plate and utensils, I put the fork and knife down but filled her plate with a good helping of chicken and rice casserole, a spoonful of green beans with bacon, and a biscuit. “There you go.”
After a few bites, Jayne gave Aunt Zinnia a nod. “You’re a fantastic cook. This is the best meal I’ve had in a long time.”
“She’s right,” Birdie said. “Your biscuits are pretty impressive for someone who’s not a Southerner.”
Aunt Z grinned. “I appreciate that.”
Jack sipped his iced tea. “I’m kind of surprised you’re not married with this kind of ability.”
Aunt Z laughed. “I’ve had offers. But I’m a very particular woman.”
Jayne glanced at me while she buttered the other half of her biscuit. “How’s your mom doing?”
“She’s still sleeping.”
“Good.”
My dad put his fork down. “I should go check on her.”
“No need, sweetheart. I’m right here.”
A collective gasp came up from everyone. My dad got to his feet and rushed to my mother’s side.
“Are you okay? I’m not sure you should be up.”
I understood his concern, but she looked radiant. There was no other word for it. If someone told me she’d just gotten back from a week at the best spa the desert could offer, I’d have believed them. There were no visible spots of flaking skin, and the normal dark shadows under her eyes and in the hollows of her cheeks seemed a lot less than usual. “You look pretty great, mom. Especially considering how you were before.”
“See? Listen to your son.” She gave my father a sharp but loving poke in the ribs. “Now don’t start babying me. I feel good. A little weak. And also very hungry. Like my daughter-in-law.”
Jayne smiled. “Probably a side effect of having winter elf blood in your veins.”
With tears in her eyes, my mother walked over to Jayne. “You saved my life.”
Jayne stood. “I did what anyone else would have done.”
My mom pulled her into a hug. “Thank you.” She held on to Jayne, eyes closed, arms tight around her. “I can’t say it enough. Thank you.”
Jayne just hugged her back, nodding and looking weepy.