Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
STASIE
There was darkness all around me, yet I felt no fear.
I was warm here, comfortable. The sounds of ravens cawing in the distance filled the air, along with the howls of coyotes.
Trickling water calmed the excitement of nature.
A gentle breeze drifted over my face, and I smiled at the feel of it.
Yet it was still so dark I could see nothing.
Dirt crunched under my feet and a warm hand took mine.
My heart leapt at the contact, and I tightened my grip, feeling like if I let go, all would be lost.
Light traveled across the land, chasing away the shadows of night and highlighting everything.
A large canyon spread out before us. It stretched from where we sat to the horizon.
The hues of red and brown rock looked like the gods had carved the canyon into the earth.
It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
I glanced up into those pale eyes sucking a deep breath. He was so very beautiful. My eyes widened and she sucked in a deep breath. “By the gods. It is astonishing. Where are we?”
“On the other side of the world in a land not yet discovered by man.” This felt so very long ago.
But why was it so clear in my mind? My clothing and voice was different.
I felt different, gentler. I followed his gaze to the rushing rapids and watched how they crashed against the walls of the canyon.
Astonishment ridded my body. “I’m the first mortal to see this?”
“You’re the first spirit to see it.” His breathtaking lips curved into a smile. “So now you won’t miss the things that others have done. You are the first.”
“You gave me the world on my last day here.” Why did I feel like I was already dead? My heart was still, my breath nonexistent. I was humbled by this moment with this ethereal being. “Thank you.”
“You’re so very welcome.” His voice was deep and smooth. It made me ache just to hear it once more.
The colors of the sky danced over his white-blond hair and warmed his pale skin. Mist from the river flew up at us, and a giggle bubbled up my throat as the fine spray covered my skin and dampened my hair. “How long can we stay?”
“For a time.” His voice turned gentler now, quiet as he gazed out over the canyon. I loved this place more than anything else I’d ever seen, and he gave it to me.
“Then I will enjoy it . . . for a time.”
I shot up in the bed, sucking in deep, sharp breaths.
The machine next to me went wild with my speeding heart.
The air being pumped into my nose was cool and calming.
I glanced around and the sharp smell of disinfectant stung my nose.
I was in a bed with railings on both sides.
The sheets were crisp yet itchy against my skin.
A loose-fitting white gown fell loose around my naked body.
I glanced toward the window and saw only the moon and stars.
The hospital was oddly quiet. I tried regaining control over myself and pressed my hand to my chest. Sweat dampened the gown there, and I felt it running down my back. I flopped back onto the pillows. “It’s just a dream. Only a dream.”
“That must’ve been some dream.”
I jerked in the bed and my eyes darted to the chair next to my bed. I let go of a shaky breath. “Jack, you scared me.”
“I scared you?” He looked perfect sitting there, with his golden-blond hair combed back from his face and his five o’clock shadow trimmed just right. He wore a tailored white suit, brown loafers, and a blue button-down shirt. “I think you’ve had too many hospital visits over the last few days.”
“Tell me about it.” I jolted and my eyes widened. “How’s Josh? Did he make it?”
“He’s fine because of you.” He tossed the magazine he’d been holding to the side. “They let him go a few hours ago, but you were sleeping so I sent him home to rest. I wouldn’t be surprised if he showed up here with half the flowers in Acapulco.”
I let go of a soft breath. “At least there’s that.”
“I’m starting to think you need to stay away from water.” He chuckled. “You’ve had some weird things happening.”
“Yeaaaaa.” I ran my hand through my hair and my fingers caught in the tangles.
If by weird, he meant I was hallucinating, feeling empty, and now the thought of death didn’t bother me, then yeah . . . All kinds of weird things were happening.
Jack sat forward in his chair. “Is there something you wanna talk to me about? You haven’t been yourself for some time now.”
I pulled the blanket up higher over my chest. “No, I’m just tired these days.”
“Tired enough to be in a hospital.” He arched his eyebrows at me.
“They were accidents.” I sighed, feeling deflated. “You know what they say . . . accidents happen.”
“You almost drowned. That’s not something to dismiss lightly.”
I chuckled. “I think I did technically drown. My chest still hurts, and I think one of my ribs is broken.”
Jack winced and groaned. “Stasie . . . Anastasia, are you okay? Truly?”
No, not in the least. I felt like I was losing it, like I’d been on a roller coaster I didn’t remember getting on. I wasn’t just physically exhausted, I was mentally done. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not.” He reached out and took my hand in his. “Maybe you need a vacation.”
I scoffed. “I was on vacation when this happened.”
“Right?” He chuckled. “No more vacations. Back to work for you.”
Nothing else was working to drag me out of this pit of darkness. A distraction would be welcomed right about now. “That’s probably for the best.”
“Good. Now rest up.” He leaned back in his chair and grabbed up the magazine he’d tossed away. “We’ve got meetings to attend.”
“You know, sometimes I think you care more about the work than you do me.” I settled back in the pillows and curled on my side to face him. My heart rate slowed to a calmer rhythm, and I focused on it, letting it lull me closer to sleep.
He pressed his hand to his chest. “Ugh. I’m crushed, Stasie. You know I love you as much as I love the money you make.”
“So, it’s a tie?”
He winked. “There is no tie. You win every time.”
My eyelids felt heavy. “You know only our clients buy that line of bullshit, so lie to them . . . Don’t lie to me.”
Jack sighed and caught my eye. “You have always been the most important.”
For some reason I believed him. I gave a little sigh and let my eyes flutter closed. “Damn straight.”