My Vindicators

Chapter 35-Fever

The next morning, after making sure I had fed enough, Yeosang went back, leaving me alone again. I spent the next two days reading and relaxing in peace. But the next morning, I woke up feeling like I might have the flu but I know that is impossible. All the same, I have chills like I am running a fever. My skin went from hot to cold within a matter of seconds, and my muscles ached with the kind of exhaustion that no amount of sleep could cure.

I sat up and immediately felt dizzy. Maybe if I just get some blood in me, I will be okay. I hissed as my feet met the floor cold. Yeontan whined from his spot on the bed. His head tilted as he watched me. I stumbled toward the bathroom. My hands gripped the edge of the sink as I steadied myself, my breath shallow and uneven. A soft knock at the door startled me since I had gone to bed in an empty house.

"Who..." I trailed off, my voice hoarse.

The door creaked open, and Jin stepped inside, his expression a mix of relief and worry.

"I know what you said, but I couldn't stay away," he admitted softly. "I felt something was wrong."

I wanted to be angry, to push him away, but the bond that hummed between us made it impossible. His concern wrapped around me like a blanket, soothing yet suffocating.

"I'm fine," I lied, turning away.

"You're not." His voice was firm, and when I tried to step past him, his hand shot out to steady me. "Amy, you're burning up."

"It's nothing." I shrugged off his hand even though all I wanted to do was to lean into it.

"Stop," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You need to finish the bonds. You can't keep putting this off."

I let out a humorless laugh. "And what? Just pretend like nothing happened? Like I'm not still furious and broken?"

"No." He moved closer, his hands gripping my shoulders gently. "But this isn't about us right now. It's about you and the others."

"The others?" I asked, my fever-addled brain not able to understand what he was saying.

"That is what brought me here. The others woke up in the same fashion."

Tears blurred my vision, frustration and fear mingling in my chest. "I don't know if I can do this, Jin."

"You don't have to do it alone." His voice cracked with emotion as he pulled me into his arms. "Let us help you. Let me help you."

For a moment, I let myself sink into him, the warmth of his body chasing away the chill that clung to my skin. But the weight of my anger and hurt pressed against my chest, a reminder of the betrayal that still lingered between us.

"I'll do it," I whispered against his chest. "But it doesn't mean I've forgiven any of you. It doesn't change anything."

"I don't expect forgiveness, Amy," he murmured, his lips brushing the top of my head. "I just want you safe."

"Okay, call them."

Jin steps out of the room to call for the others, and I grab my phone and call Eric. He picks up on the second ring.

"Amy?"

"Eric, do the mating bites have to be so... intimate? Can they not just be bites?"

"Ah, I see. No, unfortunately, they cannot. It is the act of administering them when you are both at your zenith that seals the bond."

"Oh,"

"Has the fever set in?"

"Yeah," I answer.

"Sorry, kid. I know it isn't ideal."