Becoming Magical [2]

C H A P T E R - 2 4

"No!" Della shouted as she ran to Alden's side and shook him. "He's still here. He's not some mindless, broken . . ."

Alden started twitching and groaning, silencing her argument.

"Maybe I should try prob—"

"No," Elwin snapped, blocking Sophie as she tried to get to Alden.

"But what if I can help him? I helped Fitz."

"You didn't help me," Fitz said, trying to sit up and only managing to flail.

"You'd be lost if it weren't for her, Fitz," Alvar said quietly. "But lost is different than broken, Sophie. You're sure my dad is . . ."

"Sophie's correct. That's the only reason why Fitz would get pulled under. And why everything in Alden's mind would look wrong. But maybe I should check." Meredith said, softly.

"No! No one is going to try anything else," Elwin yelled. He shook his head as he gave Alden another dose of sedative. "I don't need any more bodies piling up."

"Bodies?" Della whispered. She glanced from her moaning husband to her trembling son and . . .

Collapsed.

Elwin sighed as he bent to check her, flashing an orange orb around her face. "I think it's time for Della to rest."

He looked to Alvar, who blinked, like he was coming out of a daze. "Yes, whatever you think is best."

Elwin turned Della's chin toward him and poured a sedative down her throat.

"We should move her," he said as he lifted her limp body and passed her to Alvar. Alvar looked at Meredith and Meredith said, "I think it's best you move her Al. I'll help Elwin."

Alvar stared at his unconscious mother, his eyes turning glassy. "I—I guess I'll put her in one of the guest rooms tonight, so she won't wake up and see . . ."

"Good idea," Elwin told him, squeezing his arm.

Alvar stood there for a few more seconds, like he hadn't quite figured out how to make his legs work. Then he made his way to the door, and for once he didn't blink in and out of sight as he carried Della away.

Elwin handed Fitz a vial of sedative. "Your turn."

"I'm fine." Fitz tried to sit up again, but was still too weak. "I need to talk to Biana."

Sophie stepped forward. "I can talk to—"

"You've done enough!" Fitz yelled.

"I'll talk to her Flitz. You take rest." Meredith said to him gently.

Sophie was too stunned to move—to think. She barely remembered to breathe as she watched tears stream down Fitz's face.

"This is not Sophie's fault," Elwin said, glancing at Sophie as he crouched next to Fitz. "It isn't."

Fitz snorted.

Elwin sighed. "Look—I understand you're angry and in shock, Fitz, but you don't want to say things you're going to regret later."

"I won't regret them."

"How about this, then?" Meredith grabbed Fitz's arms. "If you don't take that sedative right now, I'm going to pour it down your throat."

Fitz glared at her, but he must've realized Meredith was serious, because he uncorked the vial and swallowed the contents, his shaky hands spilling part of it as he did.

Sophie looked away as his head lolled back, reminding herself that Fitz would wake up again.

He'd probably still hate her—but he'd be awake.