ghts h

. Just there-consta

were trying to keep her awake even as her body fought to disappear. Somewhere, far

e was s

Controlled, but th

ssure's fal

er, clipped, professional. "S

this time. Urgent. "W

e fa

without meaning. She tried to grab onto them, but they

if gravity had increased without warni

wisted low i

-hot, sudden

arp and involuntary, and her finger

did you

e mo

h, but firm enough to make her want to cry out. Col

gently, close to her e

is

word

ss

her tongue but refused to be spoken. She knew she had one. She knew it

er, stronger this time, draggin

s blee

to freeze around

eed

y was trying to rid itself of something it couldn't protect.

N

me unbidden, ra

no,

s preg

as quieter n

air s

" someo

at," the voice continued.

art

painfully, as if her body recogni

far

eks. May

tched-thick,

the bl

nific

ad forgotten how to do their job properly. Darkness pr

d again, firmer now. "

ta

wante

she wa

ntless, and her body arched weakly off the bed

't let h

hypote

osing her

ing on top of each other until the

he

thi

ssure's u

he preg

e her, there won't be

heavily in the room,

gainst the floor

ell you h

hrough the tensi

t l

rus

t st

yone

ss of the emergency room-too solid, too real. His skin was a deep, rich brown, stretched tight over a body held rigid with restraint.

were what

ke sleep had abandoned him entirely. They were locked on the bed, o

id. "Her name

wned slightly.

Ye

esita

fists at his sides, the tension pulling his shoulders

to her?" the

pau

ugh to be

m fa

he room, unanswered ques

re's been heavy bleeding. We're trying to sta

yes flickered-just once-to her

ee her?"

uncons

kn

may

epeated, softer

, then stepped aside

ain rustl

't move

than he'd expected. Harder than the news. Harder than

ked... b

hair was tangled across the pillow, her lashes dark against skin dr

steps, one hand gripping the edge of the bed

ris

ractured on

e folding inward, shoulders caving under a we

h-G

know where it was safe. Didn't know what he was al

ully, he reach

ar

ll w

ief shat

-and tears spilled freely now, streaking down h

ce thick. "You always do this. You

g between a laugh and a sob. "And I'

ngers t

t ba

snapped

thi

himself like he understood. Lik

"You don't have to wake up

ened, careful n

ispered. "I've got

continued thei

ured. Plans were being made. Deci

stayed exactly where he was-holding her hand,