Chapter 37

Remy anxiously read Birdie's text message. He'd found it waiting for him when he woke up. Relief flooded him. Ephie was better. Well enough to come home. They were just waiting for her to be discharged.

The turning had worked. So far. He wasn't clear if Ephie understood everything that had happened to her, and he didn't want to take the time to ask Birdie for all the details.

He'd find out for himself soon enough.

He showered and dressed, then texted the department to let them know he'd need at least one more night off. No one expected him back yet, but he felt duty-bound to keep them in the loop all the same.

Jean-Luc was waiting at the door as if he knew it was time to go visit Ephie again.

"This time," Remy told him, "she'll be coming home with us." Hopefully.

He got Jean-Luc in the car, and they sped to the hospital, Jean-Luc riding shotgun, his front paws on the dashboard.

Remy's emotions warred with one another. He couldn't wait to see Ephie. To hold her and kiss her and share the joy that she was no longer in mortal danger.

But he worried about her reaction to what he'd done. There was no way she wouldn't be angry at him. It felt like a foregone conclusion.

He only hoped that anger wouldn't last long. That she'd understand his reasons. Understand that the decision had been made out of love for her. Out of his need to have her in his life.

He couldn't imagine an existence without her now. This brief taste of domestic life with her had been paradise. It had shown him that his life wasn't complete any other way. He wished he'd thought to bring her flowers or something, but he had the rest of their lives to give her flowers.

If all went well.

If not, he'd spend the rest of his life trying to apologize. His gut was in knots at the thought.

"Please understand," he whispered.

Jean-Luc meowed.

Remy nodded. "Maybe you can talk some sense into her."

With Jean-Luc on his shoulder, Remy walked into her room, expecting it to be just him and Ephie. Maybe Birdie. Instead, he was greeted by Birdie and Alice, who both seemed happy, a clearly upset Leonie, and Darryl, who looked like he'd just been told the secret of the universe and didn't like it one bit.

Jean-Luc jumped down and ran straight to Ephie, who greeted him with open arms. "Bebe," she cooed, petting him.

Remy was glad he'd brought Jean-Luc. Ephie couldn't be completely mad while also loving on the little cat. Could she?

"Hi," he said softly, making his way to the bed. "You look great."

She did, too. The deathly pallor of her skin was gone, replaced by a healthy flush. Her eyes were bright, her skin glowing. Her entire being seemed new. Which it was. Thanks to the blood he'd given her.

Birdie interjected. "They're supposed to be discharging her any second."

"Good," Remy said.

Ephie cut her eyes at him. "I know what you did."

He nodded. "I hope you also know I didn't think there was any other choice."

The tiniest hint of a smile played on Ephie's lips. "I know. Alice told me everything."

He looked at the elder witch. "Thank you."

Alice nodded. "I pushed you to do it. Seemed only fitting that I share my part in things." She took a step toward him. "If I might have a moment of your time? In the hall perhaps?"

He braced himself. What now? "Of course."

"Be right back." He stepped outside with Alice, who led him down the hall to a small, uninhabited waiting area. "What's going on?"

She tucked her hands into the pockets of her cardigan. "I've spoken to the Ellinghams. Elenora, especially. Told them about your part in all of this, most of which they already knew. But they've agreed with me that you deserve something for your heroism."

He shook his head. "That's very kind of you, but I did what I did out of love and duty. Not because I hoped to gain anything."

"We all know that. It's part of what helped make the decision." She pulled one hand from her pocket and held out a small leather pouch. "Wear this, and you will never fear the sun again. But protect it. There are those who would do terrible things for such power."

He took the pouch, staring at it. It had weight, and the soft clink of metal against metal was easily heard. "You mean it will enable me to daywalk?"

"It will. You'll need it if you're going to be with Ephie. And you've earned it."

This was monumental. It was well known that all the Ellinghams could daywalk. He had a feeling whatever was in the pouch gave them that power. "Thank you. That is incredibly generous. And kind."

Alice nodded. "Like I said, you earned it. Now, I am going home. Go be with her. The mother is not happy. I wish you luck."

"Thank you." As Alice walked away, he opened the pouch. A chain of white metal links, weighty enough to be platinum, held a curious amulet, a blood-red stone set in the center with filigree around the edges. He brought the amulet closer. There appeared to be words worked into the pattern. The back bore more engraving.

Could this really protect him from the sun? He tucked the empty pouch into his pocket and put the chain on, slipping the amulet under his shirt. He'd have to test it at some point. Right now, he needed to be with Ephie.

And deal with Leonie.

As he was about to go back in, Birdie came out. "I'm going to head home, unless you want me to stay."

He hesitated. He did want Birdie to stay, but at the same time, she'd done so much for both of them lately. She'd even been injured because of them. He didn't want to take advantage of her kind nature. "Thank you for everything. I owe you."

She smiled. "You can pay me back in Zombie Donuts and iced mochas from the Hallowed Bean."

He laughed. "Consider me your personal delivery service." He hugged her. "Thanks again."

She gave him a good squeeze. "Someday soon, I'd like for the four of us to go to dinner."

He nodded as she released him. "Tell Jack we're on. Also, it's going to be my treat."

"I'll let him know. Talk to you soon. Take care of our girl. And that crazy cat."

"I will." He went back into the room.

Leonie was straightening the blanket that covered Ephie. Darryl was still sitting in the same chair, staring at nothing.

Remy approached the side of the bed Leonie wasn't on. "What happened to Darryl?"

Leonie answered before Ephie could say anything. "He just found out some truths about the world we live in."

"Witches," Darryl murmured. He looked at Remy. "And vampires."

Remy nodded solemnly. He could only imagine what such a realization must be like.

Leonie came around to Remy's side of the bed, jabbing her finger at him. "You turned my daughter against her will."

He held his hands up. "I did what I felt was necessary to save her life."

"Mom," Ephie said. "Don't. Not here. Not now."

Jean-Luc meowed and flopped down on Ephie's lap.

But Leonie wasn't so easily silenced. "He's ruined your life, Ephie. Ruined it. He's turned you into a monster."

"See here," Remy said. "I don't appreciate you calling the woman I love a monster. I don't care for you implying that I'm one, either. If I wasn't who I am, I never would have been able to save her. You get that, right?"

Leonie fumed. "She would have healed."

"Maybe," Remy said, noticing how she'd ignored the part about his supernatural abilities making it possible for him to save Ephie. "And maybe she would have succumbed to the burns and died. If she'd made it out of that motel room."

Ephie frowned, looking teary-eyed. "Mom, I know you hate vampires, but you're going to have to get over that, because now I am one."

Leonie shook her head. "No. I refuse to acknowledge what he's done to you."

Remy had to ask, even if it was a hard question. "Is that because of what Ephie's father did to you?"