Eminence (Wattpad Edition)

Note 11 - Thirst

It was the first hot night of the summer, and no one in the house had slept. Emanon woke Warren around midnight, uncomfortably warm and flushed. That's when he discovered the A/C had died. It must've been out for hours as it caused Emanon to break out into a heat rash that left Warren anxious and helpless. Jack, meanwhile, thrashed through night terrors, and Emanon tended to him every couple of hours. Each time she returned, Warren was there with fresh cold packs, applying them to her face and abdomen. By the time the rash settled, morning had already clawed its way through the blinds.

Warren dragged himself up and called an electrician. It'd be several hours before anyone could come out, and with an excessive heat warning issued for the next three days, they were advised to leave the house altogether.

"What a way to start the week," Warren muttered, rubbing his face.

The sun was already blaring, and it was barely 8 AM. He glanced toward the window, tired from the stress and worry of Emanon's condition.

"How are we gonna take Emanon with us in this heat?" he murmured.

"We could put her in the trunk," Jack offered from the corner, slumped in a chair, a bag of ice held to his head. He looked miserable, hungover, overheated, and unbothered by his own suggestion.

"That's not funny," Warren snapped.

Jack groaned and buried his face deeper in the ice pack.

Emanon was in the shower again. Her rash had returned after only an hour of relief. The cold water offered some respite, but she couldn't stay in too long, her body couldn't regulate temperature well, and hypothermia was always a risk. When she was quiet like this, withdrawn and passive, Warren's anxiety went from a simmer to a boil.

"I think there's a hotel nearby, like five minutes away," Warren said, scanning his phone.

"Why is there a hotel in the suburbs?" Jack asked.

"This area's pretty industrial. Lots of business travelers, meetings, corporate events..."

"Oh, that makes sense." Jack sat up slightly. "You should do a commercial for 'em. But seriously, how are we taking Em there without frying her? Even with the A/C blasting, a blanket's not enough. She's barely eating, which means she's probably already anemic at this point."

"I know. I just..." Warren sighed. "How do we get her to eat more?"

"We could rob a hospital," Jack deadpanned.

"Jack. Be serious. Are you still drunk?"

"I'm trying really hard not to be," Jack grumbled. "Look, why don't you let her feed on you? You're basically glued to each other already."

"Not while you're here."

"Why not?"

"Reasons I'm not getting into right now!"

"Ugh! Whatever!"

"Why is there so much yelling?" Emanon's voice cut through the room as she walked through the bedroom, towel-drying her hair.

"I didn't know this bedroom doubled as a meeting room," she added, glancing at them. "I would've grabbed clothes if I'd known."

"This room has blackout curtains," Jack replied flatly. "Coolest place in the house."

"Dude, get out!" Warren barked, shoving Jack out of the room and slamming the door behind him.

"It's not like I haven't seen her naked before!" Jack called through the door.

Warren closed his eyes, hand covering his face. "Em, you can't walk around naked while we have a guest in the house."

"Why not? Should I kill him now that he's seen me?" she said dryly.