20
Fiore
No.
It can’t be true.
Monster… Arsen… he can’t be dead.
When Jack tells me, my mouth flies open, the steaming mug of tea falling to the floor and shattering all around me like so much noise. One hand flies to my abdomen, unconsciously protecting the faint flicker of life within.
“Ma’am?” Jack says. “Ma’am, should we go to the hospital?”
He’s looking at me for instructions. I clutch the counter to keep myself from falling. “What… what did the doctor say?”
He gives his head a little shake. “I don’t know, ma’am. It was Damen that called, saying he was on his way to Tulane Hospital. He only had a second to use the phone.”
“And… he didn’t say what happened to Arsen?” I ask, my chin wobbling.
“No, ma’am. He just said to come as fast as you can.” His brow wrinkles with concern.
