Night Terrors (Sarah Beauhall Book 4) by J. A. Pitts

tell me that Katie’s vitals were stable and that her color was coming back. She said I could go in and see her for a few minutes if I promised to go home and get some real sleep.
    Katie had been in the hospital over Christmas for a couple of days the last time she’d collapsed from using her magic. She’d been in a private room with an IV. It was scary, but normal.
    This was a totally different world.
    There were wires and hoses running under the blankets that I didn’t want to see where they connected. Her hair was plastered against the sides of her head and her face was puffy. I went to touch her, but wasn’t sure if I was allowed.
    “Best if you just let her rest,” the nurse said.
    I didn’t argue, just looked down at Katie and tried not to cry. The pain was building in the back of my throat, a clawing sensation that was just as likely to turn into a howl as a sob.
    “I have to go check something for a minute,” the nurse said, patting me on the arm. “I’ll be right back.”
    She walked into one of the empty rooms and stood looking at her watch; didn’t look back at me at all.
    I knelt down and kissed Katie on the forehead. She had a tube down her throat so I was afraid to get too close to her lips.
    “I’m sorry, baby,” I whispered to her. “I wish I could fix this. Wish I knew what the fuck was the matter with you.”
    The regular rhythm of the heart monitor never changed as I lay my hand on her shoulder. After three breaths, I kissed her again and turned away. I walked out of the ICU and didn’t stop until I was outside. I waited until I got into the truck before I broke down and let the salty pain bleed out of my eyes.
    I drove over to the apartment, grabbed a shower, and put together some things for Jai Li for a few days. By seven I was pulling into Circle Q. The clouds were low and heavy, threatening lots of liquid sunshine. We’d had a dry spell for a few days, quite unlike Seattle weather.
    By the time my boots hit the porch at the Circle Q, the door slammed open and Jai Li launched herself into my arms. I dropped her sleeping bag and duffle bag onto either side and caught her. She sobbed into my shoulder for a very long time, just me and her standing in the chill morning.
    I talked to her in quiet tones, explaining about Katie being okay, how she was going to come home soon, and Jai Li finally quieted. The women of Circle Q stood in the doorway, watching us. Mary was crying, one hand covering her mouth. Julie had her arms crossed but wiped at her eyes. Only Mrs. Sorenson—Edith—wasn’t crying. She was watching me, appraising me. I looked at her for a moment and she nodded once, then turned back into the house.
    I stood and carried Jai Li across the porch. Mary held the door and Julie stepped out and grabbed the things I’d dropped. I walked straight through to the back of the house to where Mrs. Sorenson was standing.
    “Put her here,” she said, pointing to a large bed covered with a double wedding band quilt. “She has not slept. Lay with her.”
    I nodded and set Jai Li on the side of the bed, kneeling at her feet.
    “Come on, Big Girl,” I said, taking off her shoes. “Time for a little rest, what do you say?”
    At first she shook her head, but I slipped off her socks and tugged her dress over her head. Julie dropped the duffle at my feet and handed me a pair of pajamas.
    Jai Li sighed and took the pajamas out of my hand, pulling the top over her head and stepping into the fuzzy bottoms. They were pale blue.
    When I tucked her in, she grabbed my hand and pulled me toward her.
    “Lay with her,” Julie said.
    I glanced over. “Not tired.”
    “That’s what Jai Li says,” she said with a smile, flicking out the light. “Lay with her a bit and get her to sleep.”
    I rolled my eyes and sat on the side of the bed to take off my Docs. Soon I was nestled in the bed beside Jai Li, who snuggled up to me and closed her eyes.
    “Only for a few minutes,” I said. I closed my eyes