The Roses Academy- the Entire Collection Page 20

  I pressed my dad’s number on my cell contact list. “Dad, meet me at the hospital. I’m going there now. I’m fine, just sick.” I ended the call before he could ask questions I didn’t want to answer.

  Aleksander tugged on my shoulder and steered me to the bathroom. In the chaos I got away before anyone noticed me leaving again. He picked me up and ran out the back door as I slipped out of consciousness once more.

  Chapter 21

  Eternity is a long time to be dead

  “There is no way we can treat her here. The helicopter will arrive in about fifteen minutes. She needs to go to Portland,” a woman spoke.

  “This is just insanity—she was getting better. She was just sleeping a lot. The doctor said she needed a lot of sleep.” My dad was stressed.

  I opened one eye to find Aleksander beside my bed, holding my hand. His eyes were haunted, as if he were seeing a ghost. I took that as a bad sign. The pain was gone completely. I wondered if it was him or drugs preventing me from enduring the brutal agony.

  The hardness of his expression made his face even more tragically beautiful, but like all great works of art, he had a flaw. I could read him like a book. One of us was leaving, either him or me. I just didn’t know which one. Not that it mattered.

  “When?” I whispered so my dad wouldn’t hear.

  Aleksander closed his eyes for a second. “I don’t know. I should already be at my next place, but I can’t leave you. I can fight the urge to leave a while longer, I think.”

  “Will you ever come back?” My whisper cracked under the emotional strain. I wasn’t so sure I was ready to be rid of my guardian angel, not yet.

  “No.” He bit his upper lip. “I don’t know. I shouldn’t.”

  A tear slipped from my tired eyes as I whispered, “Then you should probably go.”

  He gripped my hand harder. “Don’t say that. I love you more than anything. I can’t bear the thought of leaving you, let alone live in a world where you don’t exist.”

  “Just go. Someone else needs you now.”

  He took a step away from me and was across the room in an instant.

  My dad came to my bedside, his eyes puffy and distressed. “Aimes. Hey, kiddo, you’re awake. You’re leaving for Portland here in a minute. How are you feeling?”

  I licked my lips. “Pretty good, just tired.” I peered past my dad to see the older police officer. “Sergeant Williams,” I murmured.

  “Sorry to interrupt.” He walked into the room, closing the door so it was just my dad and him with me. “I just want you to know we have him and it’s airtight. I shouldn’t be saying this, it’s against policy, but the chemistry teacher’s house was full of the stuff to make the drugs. We have everything being sent to the labs to ensure it’s the same, but I know it is. We found a shrine to your friend Giselle, pictures of your sister and Jaime. His handwriting appears to match the love letters too. So I want you to be able to go to the city at peace with this.” His eyes glistened as he put a hand on my dad’s shoulder and squeezed.

  “Thanks.”

  “Take care and I hope you have a speedy recovery. See you around, Don.” The sergeant headed to the door.

  “Thanks.” My dad smiled at him and turned back to me. “Well, at least that part is over.”

  “Yeah,” I said, not sure whether to throw up or go back to sleep.

  The stretcher came as Shane did. He was sexy. He had changed into jeans and a tee shirt that stretched across his chest.

  “Hey.” He smiled nervously as he ran his hands through his hair. “So, Aimes, I think it’s safe to say you are by far the worst prom date—ever.” He knelt at my bedside and kissed my hand. Shane’s face was a mess and his hands trembled when he touched mine.

  “Well, it was my pleasure.” I forced a smile back at him as I stroked the bruising and cuts on his face from overpowering Mr. Mac. “You’re hurt.”

  “No.”

  “They’re taking her now, Shane. Are you coming with me to Portland?” I was stunned my dad had asked him that.

  “Yeah.” Shane continued, “I’ll drive, Mr. James. You look beat.” He never took his eyes off me as he spoke. It was comforting, knowing he would be there for my dad.

  The quiet was broken with the shrill screams of my sister. “Aimee, Aimee!” She was searching for me. No doubt running through the halls of the hospital in her full gown. I could swear I heard her heels clicking. Alise’s face was panic-stricken as she jumped on me, crushing me a little. “Aimes, oh my God. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.” I forced a smile as her skinny arms choked me. “I just need to go to the city and get checked out.”

  “Okay.” She gulped a huge breath. “They took Jaime too, this afternoon. I think that son of a bitch should get a life sentence. Or a death sentence.”

  “Alise!” my dad whispered harshly.

  “What?” Alise frowned at him. “Well, I do. He’s nearly killed everyone I love. I can say whatever I want.” Alise started to cry. I wanted to comfort her, but she did the drama so well I could barely watch. She sat motionless on my bed, staring at me with tears running down her perfect face onto her full lips. Her eyes reminded me of molten silver, they were so shiny.

  Blake walked in looking worried and confused. He was obviously still in shock, trying to believe the man he had loved so dearly could be the rapist. I had a hard time believing it myself. I had adored him as a teacher too.

  The ambulance and helicopter people walked into my room, after waiting in the hall to allow my family time to say goodbye. “We can’t wait any longer. Sorry, folks,” one of them said sympathetically.

  My dad kissed my cheek. “See you in a few hours, kiddo.” He stepped back so Alise could have her moment.

  “Aimee, be strong and get better, okay?” She kissed my cheek, leaving sticky lip gloss all over. I rubbed it off, frowning at her, which she ignored and walked into Blake’s arms.

  Blake hugged her and then walked to me. “I miss you in class, Aimes. You need to get better so we can hang out a little more.” He kissed me on the cheek and whispered in my ear, “I love you, Aimes. You’re my best friend.” He stood, wiping his eyes, and sauntered away with Alise, holding an arm around her as she sobbed.

  Shane knelt back at my bedside. “I love you. I’ll bring your dad to the hospital. Don’t worry about him. I will see you in a few hours.” He kissed me on the lips, just brushing them. My eyes flickered to the huge Viking behind him that no one but me could see.

  “See you guys in the city.” I tried to appear healthy.

  They all nodded as I was loaded.

  Aleksander seemed broken but stayed with me as we wheeled out to the helicopter. He climbed onboard, sitting beside me, never taking his eyes off me.

  The new hospital room was a lot bigger with machines everywhere. I was put on dialysis just as Giselle had been, and Jaime was currently. We were all on the same floor but in different rooms. Aleksander stayed beside my bed, still not speaking, which made me nervous. He appeared as though he was struggling to remain with me. I knew he would leave sooner than later.

  “What if I die and become like you?”

  “I’m cursed not dead. Besides, I would never want this for you. Eternity is a long time.” He walked toward me and picked up my frail hand. He frowned. “You will always have my heart, Aimee. You are everything I needed to feel again and every day I thank God we met. I was a shell for hundreds of years and you’ve awakened my soul again. But there is no way I would deny you the freedom of the afterlife.”

  “Are there others like you?” I asked, staring up at the ceiling. I didn’t want to hear his declarations of love.

  “Yeah, some things close to what I am,” he spoke quietly.

  “Have you met them?” I asked, treading carefully. I wanted him to answer.

  “Yeah.”

  “Tell me something, Aleksander. Something you don’t want to. Just one thing and I won’t ask any more questions.” My throat was hurting from the a
mount of tears that had sat in it for hours.

  A dark figure appeared in the doorway, interrupting us.

  “What are you doing here?” Aleksander was off the bed within a second and pinning a dark-haired man against the wall.

  “Easy.” The man laughed, holding his hands in the air. “So, she can see you now, Brother? Interesting. What did you do to make that happen?” He was British. He didn’t sound or resemble Aleksander, but he called him Brother.

  “Get out and leave her alone.” Aleksander pointed at the hall.

  “Did you offer her immortality to save her life just yet?” the man asked. His dark eyes were unbearable to look at, and yet I couldn’t turn away. He had the blackest eyes ever, as if his pupils were the only things there, no irises. He was shorter than Aleksander, but not by much. And not that it mattered. Something about the way he stood commanded respect. Not because he was old; he wasn’t. I would guess twenty-five at most. His confidence contradicted his dimples. He dressed differently from people I knew. Aleksander and all my other friends always looked like they were going backpacking. The dark-haired man was wearing khakis with a white long-sleeve dress shirt open casually at the neck. He seemed as if he should be on a beach somewhere, or he had come here from a vacation, without any time to change. His dark hair was in a funky style, spikey and shiny.

  The man winked at me and the two of them were gone. I was alone with a million more questions and the deep feeling of betrayal.

  Aleksander hadn’t offered me immortality. He hadn’t even tried to save me. He accepted my illness and possible death, rather than bear the thought of me with him for the rest of his life. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t need to say anything. He’d said it all.

  Eternity was a long time.

  Clearly too long to take me with him.

  I sat on my bed alone and frustrated when Jaime walked in. She looked amazing. Her face was healthy again, not sallow and gaunt like mine. She smiled brightly at me.

  “Jaime.” I was hopeful. If she had improved that much from the dialysis, maybe I would be on the mend too. Then I could go back to Shane and forget all about this.

  “Hey.” Her eyes were a little different, sparkly maybe. “How are you feeling?”

  “Not so good. You look good though.”

  She sat on my bed. “Yeah, I finally feel great. I think that last bit of meds really just did me in. I’m finally better.”

  “They caught him. It was Mr. Mac.”

  “No way. Him?”

  “I know, right? He was always so nice to me.”

  She scowled. “Not me. He was a dick to me. Once he kicked me out of class and when we were in the hall, he yelled at me. He told me to stop dressing like a slut unless I wanted to be treated like one. He said I deserved to be treated like a slut.” Her face grew sad for a moment.

  “Don’t believe anything he said. He’s a criminal and a pervert. Have you seen Giselle?”

  “Yeah. She got her kidney transplant notification. It’s on, as soon as they get the organ here. She’s looking pretty bad right now.”

  “I’m glad.” I smiled. “At least she’s getting the transplant. That’s fantastic news.”

  “Yeah.”

  Aleksander unexpectedly walked through the doorway, glancing nervously at Jaime as he brushed past her.

  Jaime smiled at him. “Are you with him?”

  “No. She’s not.” Aleksander answered calmly, but his eyes were screaming at me.

  “Oh.” She sighed. “Okay, well I guess I better go back to my room, so he knows where to find me.”

  Confusion had me spinning in circles. “You can see him?” I asked Jaime.

  “Yeah.” She laughed. “I’m surprised you can though. I don’t think that’s a very good sign.”

  “Why?” I turned to Aleksander and waited for some kind of answer, but he offered nothing. As usual.

  The dark-haired man walked back in the doorway. He grinned at Jaime briefly but then focused on me. I was uncomfortable with his eyes on me. It was like he was undressing me, even in my weak and dying state. He stood behind Aleksander who was also watching me intently.

  Jaime walked from the room, squeezing past them both. She turned back to me. “I hope you make it, Aimes. Say goodbye to your sister for me.” She walked out of the room, leaving me with the two men and no clue what was going on. I had a guess, but it was not realistic. “Is. She. Dead?” The words sounded empty as they left my lips.

  Aleksander nodded. He seemed as if he wanted to speak but never did.

  I started to cry. “She died.” My statement made me feel worse. “If she died then I—” I stopped myself before I could say it.

  He was across the room in one long step. “No, you won’t die like her. The dialysis is already helping and there is hope of a kidney. Giselle is getting hers as soon as it gets here.” His eyes were trying to hypnotize me, but I was too scared to buy into it.

  “The odds of two kidneys showing up are slim to none. And we will both likely need livers too. We’re in organ failure. I’m not an idiot. Who are you?” I asked the guy leaning against the far wall, still watching me intently.

  He grinned. “I am Aleks’ brother.”

  “You’re cursed to help people too?” I whispered.

  “No.” He laughed. “Not so much, love. I am sort of the opposite of Aleks here.”

  “Aleks?” I frowned, using his nickname for the first time. “Care to explain?”

  “He’s a dark angel.” He bit his lip.

  “Like a demon?” I couldn’t believe I was saying that.

  “Yeah.” Aleks looked back at him. “I like to think of him that way.”

  “Is everything true? Is there a tooth fairy and goblins as well?” I was overwhelmed as tears streamed down my cheeks.

  “No.” The demon shook his head. “Pretty sure the tooth fairy is a fairy tale. Goblins are rather hard to find nowadays.”

  “I don’t care.” I scoffed and grabbed a tissue to wipe my face. “This is bullshit. I am sick and dying. My friend has just died, my other friend is waiting for a transplant, and here you both are—an immortal not-quite-angel and an immortal demon—hanging out in my room. You immortals really feel the need to be here to rub your immortality in my face?” I didn’t make eye contact with either of them.

  When Aleks tried to touch me, I pulled away. I winced as the arm I jerked had my IV in it. The stabbing pain of the needle caused me to shake as I pulled it into my chest to protect it.

  The pain was more than I could take. I lost it.

  “I hate you.” Hatred burned in my eyes as I glared at Aleks. “My father is going to lose everything because of you. I will never have children to tell about my mom. She will never live on in their memories. I will never go to college. I will never fall into a love so deep that it can’t be cured. I will never get married and have someone believe in me, us. I’m dying because you didn’t do a very good job as my guardian angel. This is your fault. You could have told me about Mr. Mac and spared Jaime her death. Everything is your fault. I hate you and I want you to go away and never come back.” Tears spilled down my cheeks as pain ripped me apart. The heart monitors started to go wild, making all kinds of noise.

  His bright blue eyes filled with tears as he walked out the doorway.

  Nurses came running past him with needles and stethoscopes. The demon still standing in the doorway bothered me. He had a smugness as if he’d enjoyed what he’d seen.

  But then everything went black, not like I was sleeping, just blind.

  A dark voice taunted me, “Aimee, Aimee.”

  Hearing my name I struggled to get my eyes open. I managed to open one and focused it on the face of the stranger.

  “There you are. Right, first thing’s first. Your family is nearly here which will be bad timing. I have something to give you that will help you through this. But it needs to happen before you die or it won’t work.” His English accent made me happy. He sounded like Wallace fro
m Wallace and Gromit. I didn’t know what he was talking about. Struggling with the other eye, I finally got it open as well. I blinked, focusing on him.

  “You’re young. You could be my age but you talk older,” I whispered, not sure if it had been out loud or not.

  “And you’re incredibly high right now.” He nodded shamelessly. “Try to focus. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  “No. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “There.” He pointed to the doorway. “In about thirty minutes your family is going to walk through that door and then it will be too late to save you.”

  Still confused I closed my eyes again. I was so tired. “I don’t care. I’m exhausted. I just want to sleep.”

  “But do you want to live, Aimee?” His words burned through me and my mind screamed, Yes.

  I opened my eyes again, fighting to stay awake. “Yes.”

  “Okay then. You need to do something. It will hurt. Not right away but eventually it will.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Why?” He narrowed his gaze.

  “I feel like we’ve met before, like in a dream or something.”

  He dragged a hand down the side of my cheek, lingering too long, but I was too tired to fight him. “Dorian, my love. My name is Dorian.”

  “Dorian,” I whispered back, certain I’d heard it before.

  “Now the important parts of this are as follows: You need to bite the inside of your mouth and make it bleed. I will do the same. We will then kiss and my blood will mix with yours in your mouth and you will swallow it.”

  “Yeah, that’s not going to happen.” I scoffed with the last of my energy.

  He glanced at the doorway. “Before Aleks changes his mind and comes back to stop this, you need to do it.”

  I thought for a moment. “Will I die?”

  “Yes. It’s a death of sorts. You’ll be just like Aleks—live forever and that sort of nonsense. But first, you need to do as I say. The window is passing rapidly.”