Chapter49


    “Bringmesomemedicine,something’swrongwithme.”


    Withthat,thecabruptlyended.Avelinestaredatherphone,puzzledbythesuddendisconnection,herbrowsfurrowing.


    Didhereallydialthewrongnumber?


    Didn’thehearherspeak?


    Aveline pressedherlipstogetherandcalledDesmond.


    “Hello,MissYoung.”


    Thecallconnectedquickly,andshecouldhearafaintbackgroundnoiseonhisend.


    “Mr.ke,Mr.Tudorcalledmebymistakejustnow.Heaskedforyoutobringhimsomemedicine.Canyougotohim?”


    “I’mafraidthat’snotpossible,”Desmondreplieddirectly.“I’monabusinesstripandalreadyattheairport.MissYoung,couldyoudeliverthemedicineforme?Icantellyouthenameofthe


    medication;you<b>can</b>getitfromanypharmacy.”


    Aveline’sbrowsknittighter.“You’reonabusinesstrip?”


    “Yes,”Desmondconfirmed,andshecouldfaintlyhearairportannouncementsinthebackground.


    “MissYoung,I’llsendyouthenameofthemedicine.Mr.Tudor’sconditionisquitedistressingwhenitresup.Pleasehelpmedeliverit.Thanks.”


    Withthat,hehungup.


    “Hello?”


    Avelinewasstunned,standingupinstinctively.


    VíSBONUS


    Soon,amessagewiththemedicine’snamecamethrough.


    Feelingperplexed,shecouldn’tshakethestrangefeelinginsideher.Shestaredatthemedicinenameforawhilebeforefinallyturningaround,puttingonhercoat,andheadingout.


    Ohwell.


    Hehadgiven hermoneyandahousesoquickly;shecouldn’tjustleavehimintrouble.


    ArrivingattheTudorresidence,Aveline’sphonevibratedjustasshereachedthedoor.ItwasamessagefromDesmondwiththeentrycode.Itseemedalmostasifheknewshewouldarriveatthismoment,sendingthecodejustintime.


    Thestrangefeelinginherheartintensified.


    Butsinceshewasalreadythere,Avelinedecidednottooverthinkit.


    Sheenteredthecodeandwalkedintothrgevi’scourtyard.Thesurroundingswerequiet,andthelightscastlongshadows.


    Enteringthevi,shefoundipletelyempty.


    Previously,whenshehadbeenhere,thereweremanyservantsandhousekeepers around.Didtheyallgooffdutyatnight?


    “Lucas?”


    Shecalledhisnamefromthelivingroom,butonlyafaintechoresponded.


    Afterwaitingforamoment,shecarriedthebagupstairs.She


    rememberedwherehismasterbedroomwas.Thedoorwasslightlyajar,withdimlightspillingout.Pushingthedooropen,shesawhimlyingonthebed.


    Hewasshirtless,withthenketonlycoveringhimfromthewaistdown.Sweatcoveredhisbody,andhisbrowsweretightlyfurrowed.


    asifhewasenduringimmensepain.


    Avelinewasstartled.Whatwaswrongwithhim?


    Hehadneverhadthisproblembefore.


    Shewalkedoverandgentlyshookhim.“Lucas?”


    Themandidn’treact,hisbrowsstillfurrowed,andhisbreathingheavy.


    Avelineopenedthemedicineandcheckedtheinstructions,then.mixedacupofthesolution.ShepinchedLucas’snosetomakehimbreathethroughhismouth.


    Strugglingforair,hesuddenlyopenedhiseyes.


    Thoseeyeswereclouded,lookingatherwithoutrecognition.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Avelinewasstartled.“You’reawake?Takethismedicinefirst,andthenyoucangobacktosleep.”


    Lucas’sdarkgazeboreintoher,makingherfeeluneasy,likepreyunderapredator’swatchfuleye.


    Sheofferedhimthecup.“Drinkthemedicine?”


    Butinthenextmoment,hegrabbedthecupandthrewitacrosstheroom.Indedonthecarpetwithoutasound.Grabbingherwrist,hepulledherontothebed,hisburningbodypressingdown onher,andhis scorchingbreathimedherlips.


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