Blood Luster

Chapter Twenty-One

"Magnolia?" Addeline's soft voice pulled Magnolia to reality.

When she opened her eyes, Giovanni and Benjamin were standing to the left of the bed; their breathing was ragged, and their hands were trembling at their sides. Addeline was hovering over her with tears in her eyes.

"What happened?" Magnolia asked.

"We don't know," Benjamin croaked.

"I was waiting for you to wake, then miraculously your skin color became rosy, your breathing became steady, and warmth filled your body."

"You saved us," Giovanni walked over to the sofa and clutched the back of it. "You brought us back with you."

"I don't know how."

"Are you okay?" Benjamin asked.

"I'm more than okay, thanks to you both." She scooted out of the bed and wrapped her arms around Benjamin's neck.

"I'm so glad to hear it baby," he whispered in her ear.

She rested her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. "What does this mean?"

"I've known the Gallentine's a long time. Their need to get to you is beyond fear of exposure, they need you for a particular task," Giovanni said.

Without responding, Magnolia pondered what the days ahead would look like. She couldn't help but feel responsible for the chaos, fear, and trouble this was causing everyone.

"Will they be at my next feeding?"

"I don't know, but there's a chance they will be. We need to be prepared next time, if they didn't know about your abilities; they do now," Giovanni responded.

Great.

After they decided to meet in the family room at 8:00, Giovanni and Addeline left to tell everyone. They sat down on the bed; Magnolia pulled a pillow to her chest and laid her head on it.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Benjamin asked.

"Just worried," she replied.

His hand traced circles across her back. "Giovanni has co-existed with them for a long time, if anyone can come up with a plan, he can."

"I'm just tired of feeling like we're constantly playing catch up to my abilities," she said.

"I know, but on a positive note; you can only be so many things." He joked.

She stuck her tongue out at him. "You think you're funny."

"It's amazing seeing you back to normal, I thought I was going to lose you. I've never seen someone sick like that." His entire body seemed to stiffen. "I should kill Ricky for starting this."

"He's out of our lives for good, that's enough for me."

His boyish grin spread across his face. "Remind me not to piss you off, you were on him like a spider monkey."

"I was not," she shouted.

"Don't worry, I thought it was hot." He leaned into her.

She quickly pulled away and leaped from the bed. "B, I have to shower."

It felt good to be standing on her own and moving in ways she worried she never would again. When she walked in the bathroom, she stopped to look at herself in the mirror. She still had a long way to go before she would be fully recovered, but relief flooded her that she could finally love herself again. After getting undressed, she walked into the shower and was surprised she could remember the setting she'd previously used.