Chapter 50
50
EMBER
I wake up in a hospital with Connor Penmayne sitting next to me. The moment I open my eyes he turns to my bed. He’s got one hell of a serious expression on his face.
“Where am I?” I ask him.
I don’t need to question - I can pretty easily guess where I am. It doesn’t take a genius to get that I’m in some hospital room. There are machines and everything.
“You’re in hospital,” Connor replies somberly. He’s still guessing as to how hurt I am.
“Where?”
“You’re in New York. It’s the best hospital we could fly you to.”
“I was... flown here?”
“Yes,” Connor says. “From Crystal River. By my family.”
What?
“I don’t need the best hospital,” I mutter. “I can’t afford the best hospital.”
“You won’t be paying for this, Ember. My family will.”
“No, they won’t. They can’t. I won’t let you.”
“It’s the Penmaynes,” Connor replies. “This is what we do for you. It’s already taken care of.”
“What happened?” I ask. “Why am I here?”
“What’s the last thing you remember?” he questions.
I shake my head.
“The mansion... a fire... I saw you coming toward me in the smoke. I fell over...”
“I got you outside,” Connor replies. “The ambulance was already there. They took care of you.”
“Is everyone okay?” I ask him. “I remember it just starting at the mansion. One minute there was nothing, and the next there was this fire that spread everywhere . God, it happened so quickly. Is anyone else hurt? I was stuck, but I was trying to help anyone I could...”
“Everyone is okay,” Connor replies softly, trying to calm me down. “All the staff got out in time. We were lucky. It was just you left inside, you crazy woman.”
The memories start to really flood back. I remember seeing those flames. I really was stuck. I was panicked. I tried to find anyone else that could be hurt. I remember running through those endless hallways, searching for anyone who might’ve needed my help. But then it got dark and hot and... I was lost.
And then I remember seeing Connor stepping out of the flames. He seemed totally impossible. I remember his eyes gleaming... his arms reached toward me...
“Wait... you carried me out of the mansion, right? You came to find me? I was in your arms. I couldn’t walk, couldn’t I?”
Yes, I remember it all now, but it feels so blurry... so much in slow motion. It feels like a dream. Connor held me as I drifted in and out of consciousness.
“I did carry you out,” Connor replies.
He did. He did.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
He saved my life.
He nods.
“God, you look so serious,” I remark. “You’re not smiling.”
Connor bows his head.
“There’s not much to be smiling about, Ember.”
“I’m awake now. I don’t feel too bad. You saved my life. No one is hurt. Everything’s okay, Connor.”
“But who did this? Who tried to hurt you? Who could do such a thing to my home... and to you?”
And now I can see it. This isn’t just seriousness behind Connor’s eyes – this is anger .
He’s angry for me. For his family’s mansion. For the fire.
I can tell he wants to find those responsible. He’s a Penmayne, and those boys don’t stop at anything.
“What are you going to do?”
Connor doesn’t even answer that. He just stares at me. I know he’s thinking dark thoughts.
He’s angry for me .
I’ve been hurt, and it’s clear he’ll stop at nothing to get those responsible.
Suddenly, there’s a loud ringing sound. It hurts my sensitive ears.
It’s Connor’s phone. He glances down at it.
“It’s Father,” he tells me. “I bet he has the news I’m looking for.”