Mounting Danger

Chapter 16: Recuperate

Relief took over the terror that had knotted my stomach as I entered the Hunter's house.

 Inside, Damon knelt beside a figure on a plush couch, his broad back momentarily blocking my view.

He shifted, revealing Karina. There was now a fresh bandage across her abdomen. 

"Does it hurt?" I asked. 

Her electric blue eyes opened fully, locking onto mine with a fierce gratitude that mirrored my own desperate relief.

Before I could react, her arms were around me, a choked sob escaping her lips. The warmth should've been comforting, but it ripped a hole in the dam of denial I had built to tell myself I was okay. The last few days flooded back, and I crumbled, tears mingling with hers.

Minutes later, a heavy hand landed on my shoulder – Damon's, a silent anchor in the storm. His voice, rough with emotion, cut through the haze. "I don't want to overwhelm you so we'll talk later. Get cleaned up, and get some sleep. I'll have your money transferred by morning."

I agreed that I needed rest but there was something I needed to do first. I borrowed Kayle's phone, my fingers trembling as I dialed the familiar number. It rang twice before a gruff voice rumbled through the receiver. "Hello?"

"Dad?" My voice cracked, barely a whisper.

Silence stretched, thick and heavy. Then, a different voice, frail and wavering, cut through the tension. "Selene?"

It was my mother.

"Hey," I forced a smile into my voice, "how are you feeling?"

There was a faint cough, the static crackling like a dying fire. "Tired, mostly. But the doctors say things are... stable." Her voice trailed off.

"Stable." The word offered meager comfort. Steeling myself, I rushed on. "Actually, Mom, there's good news this time."

Another beat of silence, then a faint chuckle. "Good news? From you? That's a rarity, my dear."

A smile played on my lips. "Consider it a belated birthday present."

"Oh?" Her voice held a flicker of hope. "Do tell."

Taking a deep breath, I blurted, "I have the money, Mom. All of it. Enough to pay off everything, get you the best care possible. You won't have to worry anymore."

A long pause followed, then a ragged sigh that spoke volumes. "Oh, Selene," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "That's... that's incredible. Where did you... I..." Her voice trailed off, choked with tears. "I don't even know what to say."

A lump formed in my throat. "Don't say anything, Mom. Just get better. That's all I ask."

"I'll try, honey. I promise. I can't wait to see you again, Selene. And maybe..." her voice trailed off, then a soft cough echoed through the line.

My heart hammered in my chest. "Maybe what, Mom?"

"Maybe you and your father can patch things up," she whispered, the effort evident in her voice.Silence stretched, heavy with unspoken emotions. Finally, I managed a choked reply. "I want to, Mom. But..."

"He cares, Selene," my mother insisted, her voice firm despite its weakness. "He's just... stubborn, like you." A tired yawn escaped her lips.

"You sound exhausted. Did I wake you?"

"No, darling. Just about to drift off."