AvaIt was just after two in the morning when the nurse came in to gently inform us that visiting hours were over. Chris and I had been keeping a silent vigil by Degas’s bedside for hours, neither of us willing to leave the frail Elder’s side—but neither of us able to speak to each other, either.“I
“Luna Ava,” she said, dipping her head politely. “It’s good to see you.”“Acting Lu—Nevermind.” I crossed the room, unable to stop myself from pulling the shorter woman into a hug. “I’m so sorry about your friend,” I murmured into her hair. “I know you two were close.”The girl stiffened momentarily
AvaI nearly dropped the coffee cups I was holding when I saw it. There, sitting up in the middle of the hospital bed, was Degas—his eyes open and alert as he talked animatedly with Chris.“Degas,” I breathed as I ripped the curtain open. “You’re awake!”The Elder turned to me with a weary smile. “I
AvaI awoke to the sensation of the bright sun filtering in through the window and a distinct ache in my head. For a moment I just laid there, squinting my eyes against the brightness—and then the events of the night before hit me like a freight train.The ball. The bachelorettes. Chris’s proposal.
“Me, too,” I said with a grin.Soon enough, the picnic was laid out beneath a large oak tree—homemade loaves of bread, wedges of sharp cheddar cheese, glistening berries spilling out of a large ceramic bowl, a bottle of fruit wine, and even an array of cold cut meats that made my mouth water just lo
Ava“You’re lucky; all of you. This could have been ten times worse.”The lead scientist pulled his latex gloves off with a snap, shaking his head. I bit my lip and let my gaze wander behind him—toward the group of other scientists in hazmat suits who were probing the patch of glossy black fungus wi
ChrisI stood in front of the window in my office; it was dark enough outside by now to see my reflection staring back at me in the glass. I still hadn’t rested all day, and I had no plans to sleep anytime soon.With a sigh, I adjusted a stray lock of hair that kept falling down into my forehead. Wh
AvaOphelia let out a satisfied sigh and leaned back in her chair, patting her full belly.“Ah… That was delicious,” she said, shutting her eyes happily. “I swear, the food here is so much better.”Leonard and I exchanged amused glances from across the kitchen table. “The food here is very rich in v