CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Celeste felt sick andhappy all at the same time as Kaphas lay on the bed, getting ready for his final death. She stood, several feet back where he could see her, happy to be there with him. Happy he was allowing her to be. So very happy it was the final death and they wouldn’t ever be doing it again.
And sick to her stomach that he’d be dying, and she’d have to watch.
She needed to be strong for him. Judging by the looks on his brother’s faces, this was not going to be easy. Kult seemed especially bothered as he whispered to Dr. Harlow in the far corner of the room, their glances in her direction making her nervous. Did they somehow know what she’d done with Kaphas? Was she in trouble for it? Did they have another sister in mind for him?
God. More sickness.
Kaphas gaze turned and landed on her. She gave him a bright smile and hurried to his side at the look in his eyes. “Are you okay?” she lowered and whispered at his ear.
“As long as you’re here, I am,” he whispered back, finding her hand and holding it. “Kiss me.”
She froze for a microsecond then leaned in, kissing him as perfectly as she knew how. He did too and his talent obliterated hers. “You win the best kisser in the world award,” she whispered at his ear, feeling eyes on them. “You’ll have to teach me all about that. We’ll have a rematch.”
He pulled her hand to his mouth, holding her stare as he kissed the back of her hand. “Thank you,” he said, closing his eyes. “Thank you for picking me.”
She hurried to his mouth and kissed him again, holding his face as her tears refused to stay locked down. “I am the blessed one,” she whispered hotly on his lips. “You are my miracle. And nothing in this world can take you from me.”
“Ten minutes,” Dr. Harlow called, making her stomach knot.
“Anything you want to tell me to prepare me? Will it be dramatic?”
“You’d have to ask my brothers. I’m not so aware of what goes on aside from the pain.”
“Did you ever remember anything from the last one?”
He nodded and whispered, “Kiss me again.”
She moved to his mouth and kissed him.
“I remembered that I love you. And that I will always love you.”
Her tears fell and she nodded. “I’m pretty sure I beat you on the love front,” she gasped, wiping her face. “You can’t outdo me there, don’t even try.” Her breath shook as she pet his face. “Did I tell you that you are so very beautiful?” she marveled, hoping to fill him up with hope and courage. “I cannot compete,” she said on a tearful, quiet giggle.
“Excuse me Sister Celeste,” Dr. Harlow said, stepping up.
She stepped back, the feel of Kaphas desperate fingers slipping from hers tearing her heart open. “I’ll be right here.”
“Will you pray for me?” he asked.
She nodded quickly, wiping her tears. “Of course I will.”
“Out loud? So I can hear?”
“I will pray to the top of my lungs.”
He stared at her, his face so serious. “Thank you.”
God, he was scared, she could see it and feel it and it was shredding her heart. “Why are you doing that?” Celeste asked as they began strapping him down.
“To prevent any injuries. Just in case. We never know what to expect.”
She swallowed and nodded, clasping her hands in tight prayer formation before locking gazes with Kaphas again. “You are very strong,” she reminded him. “Stronger than anybody I’ve ever met.”
“Five minutes,” the Atlas brother announced.
Kult and Pain came to the bed now and Kult lowered next to Kaphas, speaking to him. “You need to tell me something, little brother? I’ve been feeling like you know shit I’d want to know.”
“Only that I’m dying one last time,” he assured evenly.
Kult nodded and placed his forehead on Kaphas temple, bringing a gush of tears from Celeste. “Same as before, yeah?” Kult straightened. “You ready Pain?”
“I’m ready.”
“Two minutes,” Dr. Harlow said.
“You’ve got the pain meds ready?” Kult demanded.
“Everything is on go,” Quantum assured.
“Slightly elevated pulse,” Sync calmly announced, tripling Celeste’s. “Nothing unusual given the coming show.”
“Try not to fucking kill me too many times,” Pain said to Kaphas, making Celeste wonder what that meant. She focused her eyes on Kaphas, waiting for him to look at her again.
“One minute,” Atlas called.
“Are you my angel, Celeste?” he asked, staring at the ceiling.
She breathed around her emotions, gathering all her strength and courage. “I am your angel,” she called out boldly. “I am here to fight all the invisible battles. I am a daughter of the most high God and I am boldly at his throne in your behalf.”
“Thirty seconds,” Quantum said, tying her stomach up more.
She focused on Kaphas, seeing the heave of his chest. She was his safe-haven in this terrible storm. “There is no darkness that I fear,” she declared, not caring it was too loud. “I walk through the valley of shadows and death for you. Tell me, who shall I fear? The Lion of Judah goes before me. My foes tremble when they behold me.”
Sync began a ten second count down and she got louder.
“There is no fire that can burn me, there is no demon that can defeat me. My prayers are flaming arrows, my faith an impenetrable shield and my love which is the love of God, conquers and renews all things.”
“One.”
Celeste’s breath froze as she watched Kaphas close his eyes.
“What’s going on?” Kult wondered.
“Vitals are all... normal,” Quantum puzzled.
“Kaphas?” Kult called.
“It’s like he’s sleeping,” Dr. Harlow marveled. “That would be a nice change.” He smiled, looking at her. “Great job.”
“He’s going into cardiac arrest,” Sync announced.
Celeste let out a sob.
“It’s supposed to happen, angel,” Kult called to her, watching the monitors. “We’re just going to let it happen,” he said, winded but calm.
“Nearly done,” Dr. Harlow muttered. “Hurry up, bruh so we can bring your ass back.”
Celeste fought to breathe and pray, her words coming out jumbled and weak. She was failing him, she couldn’t fail him now but where were the words?
“That’s it, he’s gone,” Harlow gasped, the sound of his heart flat-lining filling her head.
“Celeste, he’s coming right back, don’t worry.” Kult paced next to his bed, watching him. “Pain, keep holding on, do not let go.”
“I have him.”
“Keep praying, Sister,” Kult ordered.
She dropped to the floor on her knees and clasped her hands tightly. “Thank you God for all your blessings. Bless Dr. Harlow, Bless Mr. Quantum. Bless Atlas. Bless all the sisters. Bless the children.
“Going on a minute,” Sync called.
The warning flooded her with dread and all the sins she’d committed that could be blocking her prayers. ”Oh God, I”m so sorry for stealing the potato from the kitchen,” she wept. “And...and telling on Sister Scarlett when I knew it wasn’t really her fault. I’m so very sorry for being jealous and always sad,” she hurried. “And for hating Father Leonard and praying he goes to hell,” she wept bitterly.
“That’s long enough,” Kult said. ”Administer the epinephrine.”
Dr. Harlow hurried to his side and injected a syringe into Kaphas’s IV line, pushing the plunger down as Celeste held her breath again. “Epinephrine administered.”
She wiped the tears from her eyes, looking at the heart monitor. “Don”t stay dead,” she whispered, staring at it. “Please don”t stay dead.”
“No response.”
“Fuck!” Kult yelled, pointing at Pain. “I told you something was fucking wrong! Defibrillator, now!”
Sync and Atlas rushed to position, placing the paddles on Kaphas’ chest.
“Charging to 200 joules,” Sync announced. The machine whirred, then beeped. “Clear!”
Kaphas’ body jolted violently as the electrical current surged through him, but the heart monitor remained flat.
“Still no pulse,” Quantum reported, his voice hard as Celeste fought for air.
“Charging to 300 joules,” Sync called with more whirring and beeps. “Clear!”
His body arched off the bed and collapsed back down, bringing a loud sob from Celeste when the monitor continued its relentless flatline.
“Don’t do this, Kaphas,” Kult swore.
“Push another round of epinephrine,” Quantum ordered.
Dr. Harlow complied, injecting another dose. “Epinephrine administered.”
“Please come back,” Celeste begged around a gasp. “I need you more than anything.”
“No response.”
Kult moved like a caged animal next to Kaphas. “What’s fucking plan B?” he yelled at Quantum.
“We don’t have one!” he snapped.
“Then we make one! Try again!” he ordered Sync.
Celeste fought down a wail as Sync charged the defibrillator. “Charging to maximum setting.... Clear!”
The final shock coursed through Kaphas’ body then it fell limp and unresponsive onto the bed.
“No,” Kult muttered, shaking his head at Kaphas. “You are not fucking dying,” he roared at him, grabbing his shoulders. “Wake up! Fucking wake up!”
Celeste couldn”t breathe or see. The sight of Kult losing control meant everything she couldn”t accept. And his brothers all standing there, like nothing could be done, nothing was left.
She flew to the bed and threw herself on him. The feel of his beautiful body, lifeless under her made it all too real. Too painful.
“What the fuck is that?” Harlow shot out. “Is that him?”
“That”s kinetic energy getting drawn from the air,” Kult assured, looking at Kaphas.
“It’s not him, it’s her,” Quantum marveled. “Did you...link with him?”
She sobbed and wiped her eyes, nodding. “He loves me and I love him, I don”t love Handy, I love Kaphas,” she swore.
“I think it”s the backlash,” Quantum realized, astonished.
“I can’t live without him.” She shook her head, holding tighter to him. “I won’t!” she declared.
“It”s protecting her,” Quantum hurried. “His death is being seen as a threat to her very life.”
“What”s happening to me?” she breathed, her body shaking and vibrating.
“Oh man,” Dr. Harlow said. “Feels like she”s gathering a lot of fucking power.”
“Everybody out of the room,” Quantum ordered.
The vibration in her blood and skin grew so strong, she had to hold on tight to Kaphas. Power suddenly tore through her body and ripped a scream from her lungs then an explosion knocked her out of her blood and bones and skin as she fell into an endless nothing.
A vision of arms covered in black muscles reached for her as she spun in her mind. She fought to reach back, right as strong fingers snatched her arm and yanked her.
Sound rushed in as air filled her lungs, followed by sharp, ragged breaths. Yells sounded all around as she pushed at the weight on her eyelids.
“My Angel.”
She jolted at the rasped voice then gasped when warm lips covered hers.
“Kaphas!” she screamed right on his mouth, clinging to his neck tightly. “You died and you didn’t come back!”
He pet her head and shhhh’d her. ”I didn”t have a choice, Angel. Until you created one.”
“Please don’t leave me again!” she plead with all her being. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry for not picking you right away, I’m sorry. Please don’t leave me again!”
He wrapped her up in his strong arms and pressed her head to his chest, turning her face up and giving her mouth tiny kisses with his hot promise. “I will never... leave you again.”