Page 117 of The Commons

Just as I do, all three of them stand up—Beatrice, Shay, now Brik— their shadows waltzing toward us.

Crap! I’m running out of seconds.

My breath fractures as I try to haul him by the shoulders, nails scraping the floor—But I can’t.

I grunt, dragging him across the floor, arms shaking, lungs burning.

I hope I’m not making him worse.

I hope he’s still alive.

Oh God!

I need help!

Where do I go?

What do I do?

Who’s gonna help me around here?

I’m so sorry, Pesh.

My eyes shoot back to see them coming, anger burning through their eyes. If I run, I might narrowly escape. But. I can’t run with Pesh. I can barely carry the sheer weight of his muscles, let alone his body. My arms scream as I drag him an inch, but they are almost here. Urgh! Their footsteps pound closer. Crap, crap, crap! I can’t take all three of them. And worse, Pesh doesn’t have the time! I need help! Just as my mind panics, my gaze swings to the exit to see someone storm inside like a shadow. Who’s that? I hold my breath, my heart threatening to leap out of my chest. And like a gust of wind, that shadow seems to disappear. And another appears, now walking in. It’s Doctor Val. Oh, thank God.

“Doctor Val!” Shay jolts up in surprise, panicked eyes merging with her.

“Shay.” She eyes his sword. “I’m not here to fight you,” she asserts in an authoritative tone. “How about you focus on saving your people. And I’ll focus on saving mine.”

Shay looks at Londe on the floor, who is panting and struggling to stand with the dagger in his stomach. How on earth?

“Shay, help me.” Patron De Londe gasps for air.

“Truce, for now, so I can help him.” Shay pivots from Doctor Val and, with a bruised Beatrice beside him, rushes to help De Londe.

Doctor Val helps me carry Pesh down the elevator. And before long, we are in her car.

“Where are we going?” I ask, gripping onto Pesh’s limp body.

“My lab in The Commons.”

I watch as she frantically dials her lab assistants. “Who called for you?”

“Patron Lenon,” she responds, speeding off.

Lenon? What on earth…

Doctor Val’s assistants rush out of the Communique, intercepting the vehicle with an advanced gurney.

“Careful,” Doctor Val instructs.

Together, we lower Pesh onto it, quickly transferring him inside the lab, my pulse erratic.

“Can he be helped?” I ask just as we lay him on the bed.

“Oh God!” Doctor Val exclaims, checking for a pulse. “The blue venom kills in 45 minutes.”

“It’s been about 40. Is there an antidote?” I ask, worried.