Fairy Bad Day(82)

But whatever Loni was about to say was lost as Emma’s dad suddenly limped into into the kitchen, followed by what looked like a Department of Paranormal Containment medic, but all Emma was aware of was that her father had now enveloped her in his arms and her face crumpled and she started to sob.

“It killed her. Mom. That’s how she died. She figured out that you were the Pure One and that it might try and get to you, and the only way she could stop it was to give her life.”

For a moment her dad was silent, then he tightened his grip, his voice hollow and hoarse. “She never even mentioned anything about sacrificing her life. Not once. I would’ve tried to make her change her mind.”

Emma shook her head and pushed away her tears. “It wouldn’t have worked. Mom wasn’t just protecting you; she was protecting us all. That’s just how she was.”

“I know.” Her dad’s face was racked with pain. “I wish it could’ve been different but trying to stop her from doing what she thought was right was like trying to stop a hurricane. That’s one of the things I love most about her.”

Emma stiffened. “You said you love her. In the present tense.”

“Of course.” Her dad looked surprised. “Always. I could never stop loving your mother. Did you really think I could?”

Olivia suddenly appeared in the doorway, Tyler at her side, looking around the burned-out kitchen in confusion. The minute she caught sight of Emma and her dad, she let out a strangled sob and hurried over.

“You’re both safe.” She grasped both their hands and squeezed them tightly. “Are—are you okay?”

“We’re fine.” Emma pushed away her tears as her dad put a protective arm around Olivia’s thickened waist, and for the first time in . . . well... ever, she didn’t feel sick at the sight of it. “We’re both fine,” she started to add, but before she could get all the words out, the world began to buckle and spin beneath her.

“Emma, your leg.” A pair of strong hands caught her just before she fell and she twisted around in time to see Curtis behind her, holding her up. She knew something was wrong and she followed his gaze down to her leg.

There was a long angry slash running all the way down from her thigh to her ankle and the wound was bleeding profusely over the floor. Emma bit down on her lip as she realized just how much damage the darkhel had done. And now that she looked at her leg she could feel burning hot tendrils of poison go racing up and down her entire body like it was on fire. She turned back to Curtis and winced. “I think I might’ve screwed up. It really hurts.”

“Of course you didn’t screw up. It’s just a scratch. You’ll be fine, Emma.”

But whatever he was about to say next was lost as Emma’s head started to spin and the world went black.





CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE





Emma was floating somewhere on a white cloud. It was nice. She felt weightless, and when she looked down at her leg, it was exactly like it had always been. A tiny scar under the knee from where Tyler had once bet that she couldn’t climb over the hedge at the far end of the practice field, but otherwise intact. No sign that a darkhel had ever dug its poison talons into her exposed flesh.

She flexed her toes. They definitely felt normal. Then she realized that someone else was standing beside her. Mom? She widened her eyes. You’re here.

Of course I’m here. Her mom smiled at her and Emma felt a surge of happiness go racing through her.

This is so great. Emma settled deeper into the cloud. There’s so much I want to talk to you about. The darkhel. The Pure One. Why didn’t you leave more notes? It was so hard to find. I was really scared.

But you did it, my darling. I knew you could. You have no idea how proud I am of you. Who would’ve thought that my daughter would be a fairy slayer? The only person in history to have ever killed one.

Thanks. Emma started to beam but the smile quickly fell from her face as her mom stood up and pressed a kiss into her dark straight hair. Mom, what are you doing? Please don’t go. Not again. You need to stay here with me.

Her mom turned back with a sad smile. Emma, my love, it’s not me who is going, it’s you. This is not where you’re meant to be, but don’t worry, I’ll always be here waiting, watching, loving. Now just close your eyes, sweetie, and everything will be fine. . . .

“Emma, don’t freak out, but you’re in the infirmary,” a voice said from somewhere nearby, and Emma forced her eyes open. She noticed that a familiar hand was entwined with hers and that the room smelled of vanilla cookies.

“Curtis?” She turned her head and saw that he was lying in the bed next to her, an angry bruise making its mark under his left eye. However, whatever pain it was causing him didn’t stop him from shooting her a lopsided grin. She immediately felt better.

“I’m right here. You’re okay.”

“But how? The darkhel scratched me. I felt it. And why don’t I feel woozy? I always feel woozy when I’m in a hospital.”

“It’s probably because you’ve just spent the last eighteen hours sleeping,” Curtis said as she wriggled into a sitting position. “It tends to stop all wooziness.”

“Where’s my dad and Olivia? Are they okay?”

“They’re fine, just very tired. In fact, it took the doctor about fourteen hours to convince them you were okay and that they should go get some sleep. Even then they didn’t go willingly. I think they’ll be back soon,” he assured her, and for one perfect moment Emma let herself bask in the warmth of his golden smile before the vision of his ruined glasses, lying crushed and useless on the ground, forced its way back into her mind. Of Curtis’s devastated face as he looked at them. His future destroyed. Destroyed by her.