Chapter 107: Chapter 107

Adelie

The day was finally here. I had only a few hours left. Esty had stopped talking to me. She didn’t even voice an opinion on my impending plan.

Normally, I didn’t give a damn about her thoughts, but her silence was unsettling. I realized how much I missed her chatter.

I was due to meet with Death soon. I was in my study, pacing anxiously. “Why the hurry?” His voice echoed from a corner.

“I’m not sure about this. What if it fails?” I questioned. “And what if it succeeds? I don’t know which is worse. Me trying and messing everything up. Or not trying at all.”

“Adelie, now is not the time for doubts. If you’re going to do this, you need to be fully focused. You can’t be teetering on the edge of uncertainty.

“If you’ve decided to do this, you need to commit. It requires precision and focus. You can’t falter, Adelie.” His voice was firm.

I turned to him. “Do you think I should?” I asked.

He sighed heavily, closing his eyes momentarily, then opened them to meet mine. “You’ll never feel a heavier burden than the regret of not taking a chance.”

He hated saying that. He didn’t want to push me towards danger. But he was also my father, and he couldn’t lie to me.

Suddenly, Burton burst into my office. “It’s time,” he declared.

Death stood by my side. “I’ll be with you,” he assured me.

I nodded at Burton and grabbed the dagger from my desk, securing it to my belt. I followed him out, my stomach churning with nerves.

Then I saw Esty approaching. It felt like ages since we last spoke. She was opposite Death. “You should delay it a bit,” she whispered, her gaze fixed ahead.

“Why?” I asked, but as Burton glanced back, she pulled away.

Once Burton turned away, she leaned in again and whispered urgently, “You need to delay!” Then she walked towards Burton.

I looked at Death, but he was as puzzled as I was. “Burton,” I called out. “I left something in my study. I’ll be right back.”

Without waiting for his response, I turned and left. I had no idea what I was doing, but I trusted Esty.

I looked at her for some kind of sign, but she wouldn’t meet my gaze. I kept staring at her until she finally felt my eyes on her.

She gave me a long look, then quickly looked away, not wanting Burton to notice. She looked anxious, her face pale. She knew something I didn’t.

I returned to my house and waited in the living room. I wasn’t sure what I was waiting for, but my anxiety was growing. What was she waiting for? Was ~she~ expecting something?

Or was she tricking me…

“I don’t think she’d betray you. She may be unconventional, but she’s not evil,” Death said, which made me laugh.

“Not evil?” I asked sarcastically. “She’s lied to me, tried to kill me, and has killed others.”

He remained calm. “Killing doesn’t make someone evil,” he countered.

“It doesn’t make them good, either.”

“But she’s here,” he pointed out. “She doesn’t have to be, but she is.”

“But she’s not good. She could be plotting against me right now.”

I paced back and forth, my ankles aching from the constant movement. “Could you maybe chill out?” Death suggested.

“How can I possibly relax?” I exploded. “I don’t even understand why I’m here.” I shook my head, a chill running down my spine. “What if…what if he’s already gone?” I questioned.

He rolled his eyes, clearly irritated by my outburst.

I had lost track of time. Would anyone come looking for me? Was Esty expecting me to take action?

Just as I thought of her, Esty burst through the door. “You’re not okay,” she stated, practically shoving me into a chair.

I started to argue, but she held me down. “I’ve broken too many rules and promises to help you. Don’t ruin everything with your stubbornness,” she admonished.

“You’re not well, that’s why we’re waiting,” she reiterated, stepping back just as Burton entered the room.

He gave me a once-over. “Did you go fetch something?” he inquired.

I swallowed hard. “I did, but unfortunately,” I placed a hand on my stomach, “I’m not feeling great. Stomach cramps. Maybe I ate something off.”

He looked irritated. “We’ll call the pack doctor then.”

As he left to fetch the doctor, I turned to Esty. “What are you up to?” I demanded.

She shot me a glare. “You should be thankful I’m even doing this. But if you screw it up because you don’t trust me, you’ll pay the price.”

“I didn’t ask you to,” I retorted.

“So you’d just leave Kairos’ fate up in the air?” she challenged.

Her words silenced me momentarily, but I was desperate for answers. “What do you know?” I pressed.

She chuckled. “Oh, I don’t know anything. But if you don’t stall long enough, the person who might know could be too late.”

I glanced at Death, who nodded in agreement. “You have nothing to lose by waiting a bit, but you stand to lose everything if she proves useful.”

I gritted my teeth. “Burton won’t tolerate this delay forever,” I pointed out.

She nodded. “I’m aware. But hold out as long as you can.” Just then, Burton reentered the room, eyeing me.

I sat up straighter, then winced and slumped back in my chair, hoping he wouldn’t catch on to my act.

Soon after, Dr. John entered, medical bag in hand. “How are you feeling, Luna?” he asked, not waiting for a response.

“Would you be more comfortable lying down?” he suggested. I nodded slowly, feigning discomfort as I rose.

We made our way to a nearby guest room on the ground floor. I rolled my eyes as everyone followed, leaning on John for support.

Once I was settled on the bed, he asked, “What seems to be the issue?”

Before I could respond, Burton interjected. “I already told you, she’s having stomach problems.”

John shot him a look. “I don’t recall examining you, yet you’re still talking. Care to explain?” Burton fell silent, his nostrils flaring.

John turned back to me. I had to lie. “I feel sick. My stomach hurts. I don’t know what happened. I was fine,” I explained.

“May I?” he asked, preparing to lift my jacket and examine my stomach.

I nodded. I didn’t really have a choice, with everyone watching. Everyone except Death, who had left me alone in a room full of sharks.

John’s hands gently explored my abdomen, pressing lightly here and there. Suddenly, his eyes met mine, a silent question in them, but he didn’t voice it.

He cleared his throat, turning his attention to his medical bag. “There are…knots in your stomach. Could be stress-related,” he suggested, though his tone was uncertain.

From his bag, he produced a syringe and a small vial of clear liquid. “This should help ease the tension,” he said, filling the syringe.

I wasn’t thrilled about being pumped full of unknown medication, but Esty had left me with little choice. I trusted her implicitly.

Holding the filled syringe, John approached me, glancing at Esty and Burton. “The injection needs to be administered in the buttocks,” he informed them, but they didn’t react.

“Could we have some privacy, please?” he requested. It was only then that Burton seemed to realize the awkwardness of the situation. He and Esty exited the room, closing the door behind them.

John returned to the table, setting down the syringe. “I never pegged you as one to show your pain,” he mused.

“I always figured you’d be the type to grit your teeth and bear it, rather than let others see you as weak.” He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a half-smile on his face.

“I was right.” He looked at me, his gaze soft. “Years of training, Luna.”

I shifted to a more comfortable position on the bed. “Luna, can I ask…?” he began.

I shook my head. “Don’t. I don’t really have an answer,” I admitted, and he nodded in understanding.

“Luna…” he started again, “should we be…concerned about the hard lump in your stomach?”

He knew. He knew I was pregnant. I cleared my throat. “No, we shouldn’t.”

He nodded again. “I’ll let them know you need some time for the medication to take effect.” He moved to leave, but paused, turning back to me.

“Your condition…” He was trying to avoid saying outright that I was pregnant. “If you don’t have anyone else monitoring your health, don’t hesitate to call me,” he offered.

I managed a small smile, so faint I wasn’t sure he saw it. “Thank you, John,” I said.