Soft warm flesh pressed against me, curling over my chest. Arms wrapped tightly around me, squeezing my body so firmly it was like being held by an iron band.

My eyes blinked open slowly and the blurry world began to clear.

A white ceiling and walls, the scent of sterile chemicals and bleach. It had to be a hospital. I glanced to my side. Valentina was lying beside me, pressed so close it hurt. She seemed peaceful, like a sleeping kitten, or a resting fox. I didn't want to disturb her, but I needed to know what happened.

I tried to sit up, but stinging pain shocked my muscles.

Groaning, Valentina forced me back down as she sat up. “No! You need more rest. Your injuries haven’t healed yet, Dexter, you should stay down.”

My body was weak, my legs ached and I could feel a pounding sensation in my chest. A dull, but very deep pain spread through me. I couldn’t fight her if I wanted to. “Did we win?” I asked.

With a heavy sigh Valentina laid back down and nuzzled close beside me.

I felt the rise and fall of her chest against mine and took her silence as my answer.

“Hopefully we did well enough,” I mumbled, more to myself than to Valentina.

“You’re alive, that’s what matters.” She didn't move, but I could feel her stiffen as she said those words. Her breathing slowed and I thought for a moment she was going to fall back to sleep, then she lifted her head, placing her chin on my chest as she looked at me with her deep, beautiful eyes.

My heart sped as my pulse began to pound in my ears. The sight of her eyes so close to me took my breath away and made me dizzy. It felt as if the whole room was spinning as a rush of adrenaline flowed through my veins. I tried to swallow, but the saliva in my mouth seemed to evaporate instantly. I wanted to move, but I couldn't. Valentina held my body with more force than I could push against with my bruised and aching arms.

Her eyes locked with mine, her gaze so intense it burned.

Valentina had an ethereal beauty and a coldness to her that was breathtaking. As the moments dragged by, it felt like the world was melting away around us. Only she and I remained. I felt a connection to her, an understanding. I knew what she wanted, or thought I did, and I knew that what I wanted was the same as her.

A tingling sensation shot up my spine, filling me with energy, and then, all at once, my body felt warm.

Never trust a spell tome…it only cares for its own needs…

Professor Kaylastal’s words echoed in my mind.

I squeezed my eyes shut, unsure how to respond to the situation. If the professor was right, then I couldn’t let myself get carried away in the moment. My mothers words came to mind next.

Pushing everything else aside as my thoughts cleared and I realized exactly how vulnerable I was.

The feeling of warmth turned to burning as my chest ached where she rested on it. It was like the air inside had caught fire. My heart pounded and my mind went blank.

My hand moved to push Valentina off.

She took it gently, holding it against her cheek. “How do you feel now,” she asked, “better?”

My mind spun with questions as nausea built. I didn’t feel better at all, but I nodded anyway.

As my stomach twisted in knots I couldn’t help thinking of my parents. I reached for my pocket, only to realize I wasn’t wearing pants. Glancing around, I found my Magi-phone on the nightstand by the bed. Hopeful, I checked my messages, but there was still no reply to my messages.

Trying my best to ignore Valentina gently stroking my face, I pushed dad’s contact then call. The line rang, then it went straight to voicemail. I called mom, and it was the same result.

Maybe Terminia is out of range.

I sent another message to each of them, letting them know I was okay. I could at least be confident they weren't worried about me.

“You should get more rest, Dex.” Valentina’s voice was nearly a whisper. “Professor Kaylastal said he would come back again to check on you, and doctor Zaxxon should be back in the morning.”

“What? How long have I been here?” I asked, checking the date on my phone.

I winced at the date. “It’s been a week?”

Valentina shrugged, then she lifted her hand to my chest. I tensed as I waited for her to do something, but she just pulled away and settled down on top of me, saying, “You broke a lot of bones. The doctor said it was a miracle none of your vitals were damaged.” Looking away, she added, “I’m sorry, Dexter. It’s my fault for being a broken spell tome.”

I rested my hand on the top of her head, ruffling her hair gently as I said, “Yea, thanks for keeping me alive, Val. Without that spell I’d have died for sure. You aren’t broken at all.”

Tears formed in her eyes, then she buried her face in my chest and started to cry. Her soft sobs echoed in my ears and I let my thoughts drift.

Do spell tomes normally cry? I wondered. If she is broken, maybe it’s a good thing.

A nurse appeared with a cart, she didn't look much older than me and her skin was so white it seemed almost transparent.

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The cart had three plates each with a Magi-bar, some sliced fruit, and a bit of bread. There were several syringes as well, and a pitcher of juice.

“You’re awake today.” She smiled, replacing a prepared syringe on the cart. “There’s no restrictions on you eating, so if you feel strong enough…” She pulled another plate from inside the cart. “…I can make you a plate; or I can just give you the shot if you prefer?”

She was soft spoken and moved with a fluidity and grace that seemed practiced, like a performer on stage. She didn’t seem bothered by Valentina cuddled on top of me as she spoke.

I pushed my spell tome aside as I sat up. “Definitely the plate. Thank you.”

She handed me a glass then poured in some juice. As I sipped, she loaded a plate for me. “You’ve got a cute girlfriend, and she hasn’t gone home once since they brought you.”

I choked on my juice, coughing until I caught my breath.

Giggling, the nurse glanced at Valentina. “Are you embarrassed?” Before I could answer she added, “You should be grateful. I’ve seen plenty of guys come in here with a girl and walk out alone. Usually they leave after a few hours, then they come back to visit once or twice. After that it’s like they forget and move on.” She handed me my plate, then pulled out another for Valentina.

I couldn’t bring myself to correct her misunderstanding. It felt awkward, but at the same time, I didn’t mind. It was a nice thought, even if it wasn’t true.

----------------------------------------

“It’s still the same.” Doctor Zaxxon frowned as he pulled the needle from my arm. “For now you don’t have M-genesis, but with your readings, I’d be pretty cautious if I were you.”

I nodded as he healed the hole left behind by the needle. “If I’m not sick then why do I have to worry?”

The doctor groaned as he leaned back in his chair and wiped a hand over his face. Looking down he mumbled something unintelligible, then he sighed. Looking me in the eye, he said, “The truth is we don’t know enough about the plague. What I can tell you is that patients often have elevated white blood cell counts, sometimes several weeks before they actually exhibit signs of M. You’ve had elevated counts and no other signs of sickness for at least a week, maybe longer if you were like this before the admission screening.”

“So you think I have the disease?”

The doctor frowned as he moved to the end of my bed. “This is why I hate explaining this shit.” Making eye contact again, he said, “Listen kid, you might be sick, you might not. Whatever the case, all you can do is wait and find out.”

My fists clenched so tight that my nails dug into my palms. “Wait and find out! What kind of an answer is that? Yea, sorry kid, you just gotta wait and hope I don’t have to kill ya next time we meet. Aren’t you a fucking doctor?”

Doctor Zaxxon shook his head, then sighed deeply, again. He looked at me, meeting my gaze but saying nothing. His eyes narrowed as the end of his brow twitched. Aa he pressed his lips flat, his nostrils flared twice, then he turned to the door and left.

Valentina approached my bedside, placing a hand on my shoulder. The sensation of her soft flesh on my skin sent chills over my body. Her voice was warm and comforting as she whispered, "I'll be with you always, Dexter."

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before rolling my sleeve down. “No, just until I die,” I corrected.

She shook her head as I leaned back. Sitting on the edge of my bed, Valentina gave me a sweet smile then said, "No, Dexter. I won’t ever leave your side, even in death."

A bitter taste filled my mouth.

I looked at my spell tome with an awkward mix of elation and disgust. Part of me wanted to believe her, but I couldn’t forget what the professor said.

Trust a spell tome and you're guaranteed a short life.

I pushed her to the edge of the bed then sat up, sliding my legs over the side. “I’m going for a—”

Donovan Kaylastal came in then with his spell tome Kayla bouncing on he heels behind him. She grinned with delight and said, “Hey, it looks like you're feeling better today!”

As he walked to my side the professor smiled broadly, then he frowned. “You don’t seem to be in a good mood,” he remarked, not really asking, just stating the fact.

I shrugged.

“This have anything to do with John’s sour mood?” he asked.

I shrugged again.

The professor sighed.

I wasn't really angry with the doctor. It wasn’t his fault, but I had to let my feelings out somewhere and it didn’t help how callous he was about it all.

“Since you’re already upset, I may as well give this to you now.” The professor pulled a small yellow rectangle from his pocket. Keeping a hand over the words, he handed it to me and added, “I’m sorry.”

The small square paper slipped from his fingers as I took it. It was heavy, heavier than it should have been for something that small.

Fancy letters swirled across the card, but the words they formed didn’t belong together.

“No. This—this isn’t real! It isn’t true,” I insisted, shoving the card back into Donovan’s hands. “This is a joke, and it isn’t funny.”

With a heavy sigh, Donovan pressed the card back to my palm, pushing it down into my grasp. He gave a solemn nod then looked me in the eye, saying, “It’s real, Dexter. They’re dead.”

My hands trembled, and I dropped the card on the bed as I tried to get up. “No, you’re lying!”

Valentina wrapped herself around my waist, holding me in place. I felt a prickling sensation, but I ignored it, trying desperately to shake her off.

Tears blurred my vision as I struggled against the spell tome's iron grip. My strength failed quickly. Soon I couldn’t even lift a single finger, but I was still desperate to escape the situation, desperate to avoid the pain, and desperate for answers.

Professor Kaylastal turned away, waving to signal Kayla to follow him. She’d been watching me intently, her broad smile still plastered on her face like some creepy clown. Her excited breathing as she looked on made me understand the professor’s distrust of tomes, his was some kind of freak.

My breath came in deep gasps as I struggled to remain calm.

Reaching the door, professor Kaylastal said, “Doctor Zaxxon cleared you for class tomorrow. Stay here one more night and I’ll give you a dorm assignment tomorrow; it won’t be quite so private.” He waved back, then the two disappeared outside.

Valentina didn't let go. Instead she moved beside me and wrapped her arms tightly around my neck. “If you tell me to let go, I will,” she said.

All my strength fled, leaving my whole body feeling limp. I tried to speak, to tell Valentina to let me go, but the words stuck in my throat.

Valentina sat in silence as tears fell freely.

Eventually, she leaned over my chest. She stayed like that, with her head resting on my shoulder and her arms wrapped around my neck for a long while. Unable to resist, I leaned into her embrace as tears flowed freely down my cheeks.

I don't know how much time passed before I calmed.

Sitting in silence, I couldn't think.

It felt as if my world were collapsing. It felt as if nothing were real, as if I were just stuck in some twisted dream and I might wake at any moment.

I tried to fall asleep, thinking that when I woke all this would go away. If I could just fall asleep, it would all be gone, I just had to fall asleep.

No matter what, I had to fall asleep.

But sleep didn’t come, and as I lay awake the pain grew stronger.