Disclaimer: This book ( Lux series ) and all it's characters belong to the author, Jennifer L. Armentrout. I own nothing.
BEFORE:
"Daemon?" I whispered cautiously. Something felt off. My body felt stiff and sore like I'd just run a marathon and forgot to stretch first. I couldn't remember where I was or what was happening. Slowly, I began to open my eyes. The bright white light of a hospital room intruded on my sight and caused me to wince. Aware of the dull ache in my chest, I carefully sat up and took a quick inventory of my surroundings. Everything was white. The walls, the lights, the bed sheets, the small nightstand in the corner. Even the vase and flowers sitting on top if it. Before I could get too freaked out the door slammed open and in rushed what could only be described as a frantic Dee. Before I could utter a single question Dee hurled herself at me, arms wrapped in a vice grip around my neck and face buried inbetween the space of my neck and shoulder. Not too far behind her was Archer, followed by Dawson and a noticeably pregnant Beth. Out of everything, that one had me doing a double take. The last time I could remember seeing Beth she hadn't even been showing. How long had I been out? And where was Daemon? Suddenly, everything came rushing back. My Mom, Nancy, the gun, the bullet that had been meant for me, Daemon being shot, the blood. Oh God, so much blood. A strangled cry escaped my lips as the peices slowly began to slip into place. This couldn't be happening. No. Daemon and I were supposed to have a lifetime together. We were supposed to be happy. We defeated the invading Luxen and saved the world. This was supposed to be our happily ever after. Except everything was wrong. I couldn't breathe. No. "What's going on? Where's Daemon? What's happened?" I asked. I hated how my voice shook. I was met with silence. Dee kept her face hidden in my neck, but her body trembled violently, making mine shake along with hers. Dawson and Beth wouldn't even look at me. The only one in the room willing to meet my gaze was Archer, who's eyes were filled with pain and sympathy. In that moment my suspicions were confirmed and my heart irreversibly shattered. Suddenly, loud soul shattering sobs wracked my body before I'd even realized it. Soon Dee's cries, along with Beth's, began to mingle with my own. Dawson wrapped his arms around Beth, while Archer did the same for both me and Dee, both their shoulders hunched in grief. I didn't know how long we cried or when we stopped, but when everyone had decided to head home, it was well passed midnight. The only one who had stayed was Dee. She'd squished herself onto the hospital bed with me and we'd held eachother as we'd continued to cry long after the others had left. By this time a feeling of numbness had settled over me. A feeling I was pretty sure was permenate. As of right then my hopes and dreams, my plans for the future, disappeared. How was I supposed to continue with them when the only person I'd ever planned on sharing them with had been stolen from me? As Dee and I began to quiet down I began asking questions."How long was I out, Dee?" My voices was low and hoarse sounding due to hours of sobbing. Sniffling, Dee answered, her voice just as rough as mine. "About 3 months. God, Katy, we were so worried! The doctors weren't sure you were ever going to wake up. Something about too much blood loss and swelling of the brain... I was so scared. I couldn't lose you. None of us could. Not after..." Then another round of sobbing. Then, suddenly Dee's cries came to a halt. "Kat, there's something I need to tell you. The others didn't think you should know, but I think you have right to. Nancy... She's alive. She's out there, somewhere and..." Dee kept talking, but I couldn't hear her over the roar in my ears and the overwhelming rage building in my core,overshadowing the grief and the pain and everything, really. I was no longer heartbroken and confused. Now I was angry and wanted revenge so badly I could taste it. My life had one sole purpose now. I was going to find Nancy Husher and I was going to kill her if it was the last thing I did.