VALERIE.
An hourter, it’s over and, as he predicted, the killer was indeed Beth’s brother. The very same guy he
had said it would be, but before he could say anything
cocky, my phone rings and I pick it up quickly.
“Zaia! How are you?” I say, not missing the way Zade stiffens.
“I’m great. You sound happy today, good day?” she asks.
“Kind of, not too bad, I guess. I visited the hospital and seems like I’ll be quite busy. How are my little
nieces and nephews?” I ask.
“They are all great, and they are sending you all their love and kisses.”
Zade stands up and walks away, giving me some privacy and I appreciate it although I know he’ll
probably be able to hear everything, anyway.
“I got your text earlier, and I was a little worried… What’s wrong hun?” Zaia’s voice softens and I close
my eyes, wishing I hadn’t replied when I didn’t feel great. Zaia notices everything and she’s obviously
picked up on it.
“I didn’t even say much. Why would you think something’s up?”
“Exactly, your message just wasn’t how it would be usually. What is it?”
I sigh, leaning back in my seat. “Nothing, I just had a bit of a low moment.”
“Jai?” she whispers knowingly and my heart clenches.
No…
“No,” I say, feeling guilty almost as if I’m betraying him.
I am, aren’t I?
“Talk to me, what’s on your mind? I wish I was there.” Zaia’s soft voicees.
I close my eyes, “It’s nothing, I was just wondering how I ever was chosen as one of the Blood Borns, I
mean I’m the weakest, I was the weakest even then and now too… I mean there was a huge gap in my
capabilities inparison to the rest of you.”
“Val, you were still healing when the war happened. Don’t ever think you were the weakest.”
She’s being nice, typical Zaia.
fingers through my hair.
Sheughs in disbelief. “Make you feel better, Val? Tell me when one of us was injured, when we were
in desperate need of a doctor but could trust no one, who did we go to?”
Me….
“You. When we needed operating, without even having everything we needed for the procedure, who
pushed through and bravely did their best?”
Me?
“You. When I was sick during pregnancy and didn’t know what was happening, who figured it out and
got me an antidote?”
Me.
“You. Who was there looking after my children and keeping the ce together when we were preparing
for the final showdown? You. Goddess Valerie, you are so incredibly strong. You have always been
strong. I admire you, I always have. You were always the no–nonsense Doctor Scott who took nothing
from anyone. You are my hero, Valerie, all of ours. I wouldn’t be here without you, and neither would
Zion or Sia.. and the others… you helped so many of us, Valerie. See the you that I see and you’ll
understand.”
She means it and although I see that… I’m stillcking.
“Those aren’t what I mean, I mean as a Blood Born, not my doctor skills,” I answer quietly,
remembering Zade’s words. The weakest…
“Alright then, tell me who was strong enough to walk away and forgive when your entire world was torn
from you?” her hushed voicees, and I close my eyes, lowering my head.
“You are my biggest cheerleader. There’s no winning with you.” I say smiling softly.
I don’t have the faith she has in me, but hearing her words offort and her belief in them makes me
feel a little better.
“I always will be, regardless of how far away you are. We love you Val, and you are incredibly strong,
don’t ever think otherwise.”
We end the call soon after and I ce my phone down. Standing up, I brush my hair back, ncing
behind me to see where Zade is and see my bedroom door
open.
I cross the room and stop in the open bedroom doorway.
? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.
“Thanks for giving me some space, I…” I trail off when I see he’s holding a picture frame in his hand.
+15 BóNUS
+15 BONUS
Jai’s.