Chapter 37
Aaron and Elisa stood in front of the war room. Elisa was grateful to Aaron for not putting them in the middle of it. She didn't need to startle anyone right now. He sensed that.
"You're welcome," he said. Elisa walked into the room and like clockwork all eyes turned on her.
"Elisa, you're back," Calvin said. She glanced at him before scanning the audience for Beth and Derek.
"Where's Jason?" she inquired.
"Infirmary," Beth said.
"What happened to him?" she asked urgently.
"He was hit in the chest," Beth answered.
Elisa gasped at the words. "Please tell me it was a minor injury," she said pleading with her eyes.
Beth sadly shook her head no. "I'll take you to him."
But Elisa refused. "You still have work to do. Aaron and I will go." She walked out of the room and Beth turned to Derek.
"Should we tell her who it was?" Beth questioned.
"When she is in the right frame of mind," Derek answered. He turned to everybody else in the room. "We still have a job to complete. Let's get back to work."
Elisa remained composed as she entered his room. He was hooked up to wires and his eyes were closed. Aaron placed his hand on her lower back. "I'll be outside if you need me," he said. Elisa stayed rooted to her spot until she was sure Aaron had left. She made small and quiet steps to his bed meanwhile raking her eyes over every piece of equipment. She pulled up a chair and grabbed his hand.
"I'm here my love," she whispered kissing his fingers. She wiped her eyes trying to figure out what could have possibly happened to him. Then her mind traveled to her dream.
"Why must history repeat itself?" she asked quietly. "Jason, I wish you could hear me," she said softly. She got up and brushed some hair out of his face. She cracked a smile. He was really beautiful to her resting so peacefully. She inhaled sharply trying to regain some control. She sat back down and just held his hand praying that he would pull through.
Aaron opened the door but decided not to go in. She needed to be alone. He was halfway turned around when she called his name.
"Yes guardian," he answered. She got out of her seat and walked toward the door.
"Please find out what happened. Too many of the Core have been hurt. I just want to know and please go find the doctor after you are done. I need to know his course of treatment." Her eyes looked exhausted. His eyes flickered to her injury.
"You need to rest as well. Your injury is still fresh."
She wanted to protest but his eyes were stern. She glanced back at Jason. "You're right. I'll get some rest," she relented. He placed a hand on her shoulder.
"He's not going anywhere. He's too stubborn for that." Her eyes misted. He gave her a wink and left. He walked away hoping that Jason wouldn't die. That would really break her.
Elisa walked back to the bed and gently laid down. She wanted to hear his heartbeat. She wrapped an arm around him and listened to him breathe.
He woke up to feel something heavy on his chest. He looked down and smiled. "She's here," he thought. He whispered her name and she shot up. She flashed him a teary smile.
"You're awake," she said. He tried to sit up but she pushed him back down. "No, you were hit in the chest. I'm waiting for the doctor to come in so I can speak with him."
She saw his eyes go from understanding to anger. He remembered what actually was in his system. "Jason," she said concerned. He snapped out of it and gave her a brave face.
"How are you? What about your injury? You should be in bed resting. How did you even know I was injured?"
"I'm fine and I'm more concerned about you. As far as my injury, I'm recovering. A messenger told me you were hurt. Aaron and I came as soon as word got to us. Now, what was that look? Do you have an idea what it is your system?"
He looked away briefly. "Unfortunately, yes. Baby, it's poison." She visibly paled at the news.
"What?" she asked in disbelief.
"I was on my way to the Eyrie when it happened." He grabbed her hand. "I was about 2 miles from the building when we were stopped. I was getting Beth out of the way but then I realized the intended target was for me from the beginning. I was shot right below the heart."
She gasped. She didn't say anything for what seemed like an eternity to Jason.
"Okay. Well, we will get Aaron and Nicholas to do whatever they did to me to get the poison out. It will be painful but we can fix you," she said optimistically.
"Elisa, you were just cut but I was hit with two of them. The poison might-
"No," she interrupted. "I am not losing you to any of them. We still have a life to live after this madness. I am not having your funeral," she said sternly. He told her to sit on the bed.
"You need to prepare yourself," he said.
"No. I can prepare myself for other things. Not this. Not you dying. I'm not ready to let you go. To let us go. You can't give up either." She cupped his face. "Please don't even think about leaving me behind."
The doors opened and Aaron entered.
"You're awake," he said surprised. Elisa didn't turn to address him. She just stared at her love with pleading eyes.
He squeezed her hand. "What is it Aaron?"
"The doctor is on his way to explain the course of treatment. I also have information on the person responsible," he informed them.
Jason groaned inwardly. He knew her sadness would soon turn to shock and anger. He needed to be the one to break it. "Aaron, do you know what happened to me specifically?" he asked turning his head toward him.
Aaron heard the news from Beth and his own anger rose. "I do."
"Then you know there's nothing that can be done."
Aaron shook his head. "On the contrary, there's an option. We can extract the poison as we did for Elisa. It will be painful but we will do everything we can to help you."
"See. There's a solution for this," Elisa stated. She now turned her attention to Aaron.
"Who was the person involved?" Aaron looked at Jason who had a hard expression and he knew not to answer that question himself.
"I think that information requires a gentle break. I'll give you two a minute." Elisa watched him with a confused expression.
"Elisa, look at me," Jason coaxed. She did. "It was…it was Goliath who hit me with the arrows," he said gently.
A blank look appeared on her face and she got up and crossed the room. "Did he say anything?"
"No. He just had this smug look on his face," Jason answered.
Elisa closed her eyes to suppress her anger. "One down thousands to go," rang through her mind. "I can handle this," she reminded herself. "Don't let him break you."
"Elisa," he called out and her eyes snapped open.
"I can get him alone. All he wants is to see me destroyed. I can…I can strip him of everything. I can strip them all of everything," she said realizing what had to be done. "We have to do this smart," she continued. Her mind was going a mile a minute causing Jason to grow concerned.
She turned her attention to him and walked forward. She kissed him passionately. She caressed his face. "I'm going to get justice for all of us my love," she said calmly. He was legitimately scared for her. Her eyes were hers but something was behind them. It wasn't anger but something he couldn't describe it. "I'm going to get Aaron to keep watch." She kissed him quickly before heading out the room.
She met the doctor in the hallway. "Miss Maza, I'm Doctor Henderson. I treated your friend," he stated.
"Thank you for all you are doing for him. I really appreciate it," she said gratefully. "What is your course of treatment?"
"As per requested, I am to stand watch as the guardians extract the poison from him. I am to monitor if anything goes wrong with his heart."
She nodded in understanding. "When is this supposed to take place?"
"Very soon."
"Good. Please take care of him," she said gently. The doctor walked off leaving Elisa alone. She looked back at the door before walking away.
She walked into the war room and they were having some huge discussion on the next step since many of their soldiers were injured. She could tell whatever was being planned was not welcomed by all involved. She sat in a chair and listened as both sides gave their arguments.
After a few minutes of arguing, both sides came to an impasse. Calvin noticed her presence and asked for her opinion.
She said, "I agree that time is of the essence and it looks like time is no longer a luxury. It probably never was. I think the remaining members of the Core should fight with Eric, Goliath and Vanessa only. The rest should continue to beat the Madori until they are willing to give up. It doesn't matter how tired or frustrated any on you may be but you have to keep pushing. The Madori will grow tired and quit. However, that's my opinion. Beth is still in charge and the decision is ultimately hers."
"But you're the leader," Calvin said.
"Yes and I passed the responsibility to Beth. In case you have forgotten, I'm recovering from an injury. I came after hearing about Jason's unfortunate incident. Nothing has changed in leadership as of 24 hours. Beth makes the ultimate decision."
"We hit them when they aren't looking. We give them what they gave us but 100 times harder," Beth said.
"Then that's it. When do you plan on striking?" Elisa asked.
"Two days," she answered.
"Then I suggest each of you put in the extra time to brush up on combat skills."
Elisa sat in on the rest of the meeting and then Beth adjourned it. Elisa walked out and went to the terrace and opened a portal. She walked through and landed in the middle of the ballroom. Her eyes stayed glued on the spot where the death occurred. She bent down and brushed her fingers over the spot. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.
"I'm not," a voice called out. "I was wondering when you'd show up here," he said walking out from the shadows.
"Goliath," she said sternly. She stood up and faced him.
"What brings you back here? Let me guess. It has something to do with a certain hunter," he taunted.
"Why did you do it?" she sneered.
He gave a wicked smile. "He is a distraction. You can't afford any. Your people are being cut down one by one. I'd get some sleep while you still can or you can just wait until you're dead to sleep." He approached her. "I look forward to sparring with you one last time."