Love Gone Viral Read online

  “I don’t understand. You seem like a really intelligent person. Why don’t you do well with science?”

  Susie just shrugged and shook her head. “My mother’s a nurse. My father’s a veterinarian. I’ve got a brother who’s an EMT and another who’s a pediatrician. My middle sister is currently studying to be a surgical nurse. I’m brilliant at what I do. It’s just….”

  “What?”

  “Not what I really want to be doing. I’d rather be a nurse like my mom or sister. I’d rather be helping people, but…” she ended with another shrug. She didn’t know why she hadn’t been able to master chemistry, but she did know that she had to in order to go to nursing school.

  “You’re helping me,” he offered with a cute smile.

  “And I can’t tell you how happy that makes me,” she said, feeling lovely little flutters of excitement in her stomach.

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah,” she said with a giggle.

  He just looked at her for a full minute. Just when it was about to get awkward, he asked, “So, how many brothers and sisters do you have?”

  Susie laughed. People were always astounded when she answered this question—and she got it rather often. Maybe because she was always talking about her siblings—but she was proud of them. Why shouldn’t she talk about them? “There are seven of us. I’m the second oldest. I’ve got an older brother, two younger sisters and three younger brothers.”

  “Wow! Oh, wait.” He smacked himself in the head. “Your youngest sister is the high priestess! You told me so yesterday! Of course, she’s the youngest of seven. The high priestess is always the youngest of seven.”

  Susie smiled. “I wouldn’t know. I just know that my parents had seven kids—well, there is one set of twins, so…”

  “Are you all strong, magically?” he asked.

  “I don’t know. I don’t think so. None of us use our magic for anything—except Erin, of course. I think Dylan—he’s the pediatrician—got touched and is now using his magic to help his patients. He can’t heal them, naturally, but he’s gotten really good at diagnosing their problems. My older brother also got touched. He runs a non-profit, but I don’t know that he’s using his powers there. I think he’s associated with… Water?” She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  “I’m Earth. Did I tell you that yesterday?” Michael said.

  “Yes, you did. You said you work with herbs.”

  He nodded. “I do.” He paused and looked at her. “I could help you gain more control over your magic.”

  Susie recoiled. “Oh, no! I mean, thank you for offering, but really, I’ve got no interest in doing more magic.”

  “But you have abilities…” he protested.

  “Maybe, maybe not.” She shrugged. Just the thought of using magic scared her. What if she really wasn’t powerful? She’d be a disappointment to herself, her family, and now Michael. And if she was? No. She had no confidence in that. In… well, anything she might do. No, it was much better to be safe in her ignorance.

  “Don’t you even want to try? To find out?” he pressed.

  “No. I don’t.” Susie stood up. “I need to get back to work. You need to rest, or else you won’t be getting out of here any time soon.” She left as quickly as she could, as if leaving his side also meant leaving her insecurities regarding her magic behind her. God, she wished she could do that!

  Chapter Four

  When Michael woke up a few days later, his parents were sitting next to his bed staring at him. “Mom! Dad!” His voice sounded horrible, but at least he was breathing—and without a ventilator. He wondered if Susie had been in to see him this morning to give him his daily dose of her magic.

  His mother reached out and grasped onto his hand. “Hey, pumpkin. How are you feeling?” she asked from behind her mask.

  Michael wished he could see her smile. He’d missed her. It was stupid. He was a grown man, but still… she was his mom.

  “All right, I suppose. You didn’t need to come,” he told them. He looked at his father sitting to his mother’s side on a second chair he’d found from somewhere. He, too, was wearing a mask, but even then, his eyes looked worried. Honestly, he didn’t think he’d ever seen his father look so concerned.

  “Of course we did. Don’t be stupid,” his father said, his voice somewhat muffled.

  “How could we not? We love you,” his mother said. Tears filled her eyes for a moment, but she blinked them away.

  “How did you get in? Are they allowing visitors?” Michael asked.

  “No, but, well, a suggestion here and there…” his father said with a wink.

  “They’re not allowing visitors for a reason, Dad. It’s not safe!” Michael argued.

  “It’s okay. I’m keeping the air you breathe out away from me and your mother.” Right, his father was associated with Air and could do that.

  Michael nodded, feeling a little better about them being there. He didn’t want them infected. They were older, and it would be so very much worse for them than it was for him.

  “We’ve called Dr. Smith-Davis. He should be here tonight. It’s what took us so long to get here,” his mother told him.

  “What? Why? The doctors here are very good. You didn’t—”

  “Michael, I’m sure the doctors here are fine, but they’re not Vallen. I want you seen by one of us,” his mother said, interrupting him.

  “Of course he’ll be seen by a Vallen. He’s not thinking straight. You’re very sick, son. Dr. Smith-Davis will get you all fixed up in no time,” his father said with great confidence.

  “He can’t cure me,” Michael pointed out.

  “No, he can’t, but I’m sure he can make you feel infinitely better than whatever the doctors here are doing,” his mother said.

  “To be honest, there isn’t a lot they can do, but I…” Michael paused, wondering if he should tell his parents about Susie. He figured it was the only way they would agree not to bring his family doctor down from Boston.

  “We drove here, you know,” his mother told him.

  “Didn’t trust a plane,” his father said. “Too many germs to keep at bay.”

  “That’s good. I’m glad to hear that,” Michael said. “But really, tell Dr. Smith-Davis he doesn’t need to come. I actually have a Vallen here who is helping me.”

  His mother sat up straighter even as his father leaned forward. “There is a Vallen doctor here?” his mother asked.

  “I, uh, I don’t know. Actually, she’s not a doctor. She works for the hospital, but she’s Vallen, associated with Air. She comes every day and makes sure I’m breathing all right. I think she saved my life when I first got here. I was oxygen deprived, and she pushed it into my lungs. The effects of her magic don’t last for longer than twenty-four hours, but she comes by every day and gives me a dose and makes sure I’m comfortable.” His throat was really beginning to hurt with all this talking, and he could feel his breath becoming labored again. He closed his eyes for a moment and concentrated on trying to breathe so the oxygen alarms wouldn’t begin to go off.

  “But that’s wonderful!” his mother said.

  “You all right, Michael?” his father asked.

  “Yeah. Just having some trouble…”

  “Where’s that girl? What did you say her name was?” his father asked, his voice beginning to sound anxious.

  Michael took in a slow breath and swallowed. “Down in the ER,” he managed.

  “I’ll get her. What’s her name?”

  “Freyn. Susie Freyn,” Michael said.

  “Freyn? As in Freyn the high priestess?” his mother asked, her voice going high.

  Michael just nodded. “Her sister.”

  “Oh, thank God! I’ll go get her.” Michael could hear his father’s footsteps leave the room, but was grateful his mother was still holding onto his hand.

  He did his best not to panic, but to just try to keep getting in enough air.

  It felt like forever, but finall
y he heard Susie’s voice. “Michael?”

  He opened his eyes and looked up at her. She was wearing a beige shirt with pink embroidery around the neckline. It made what he could see of her cheeks look pink and pretty.

  She knew just what he needed. He could feel her smile, her calm. All she needed to do was come into the room, and already he felt better. She put her hands on his chest, and everything eased. He took in a deep breath of gratitude.

  “Thank you,” he said on his exhale.

  “Of course!”

  “Mom, Dad, this is Susie. Susie, my parents,” Michael said, introducing them even though his father had probably already introduced himself.

  She nodded to his parents. “They aren’t allowing visitors…”

  “Ordinary people are so simple and easy to manipulate,” his mother said gently.

  Susie just stared at her for a moment and then turned to him. Her eyes looked worried and upset. Michael just gave her a little shrug.

  “So, your sister…?” Michael’s father started.

  Susie turned back toward him. “Which… oh, right, Erin. Yes, she’s the high priestess.”

  “You don’t think…” his mother started. Susie just looked at her, so she finished her thought. “Might she be available to meet us? Touch us?” she added in a whisper.

  “Oh, um, yeah, I’m sure she would. Let me give her a call.” Susie was truly the sweetest girl. Michael figured her sister was extremely busy, but Susie immediately pulled out her cell phone and pressed a few buttons.

  “Hey, Erin, you know the guy I was telling you about?” she said into the phone. She paused, and Michael could hear the voice at the other end get all excited even if he couldn’t make out her words.

  He looked over to his mother, her eyes were crinkled in a smile. Finally, he’d found a girl they approved of! He didn’t think he could have made his parents any happier right now—well, maybe if he wasn’t sick, he thought with a bit of a laugh.

  “Great! Thanks so much, Erin. Right, see you then!” Susie said into the phone. She pressed a button, hanging up the call. “She’ll be over at lunchtime if that’s all right?”

  “Oh, yes! Thank you,” Michael’s mother said.

  “Can’t tell you how much we appreciate this!” his father followed up.

  Susie shrugged. “It’s what she does. It’s totally fine. I do have to get back to work, though, if you’ll excuse me.” She turned back to Michael. “I’ll see you on my lunch break as always?”

  “That would be great,” he nodded. He had almost expected that she’d be too busy introducing his parents to her sister, but hopefully, she would be able to spare him a little time. His day just wouldn’t be complete if he didn’t see her.

  Michael had just finished picking at his lunch—wishing he had more of an appetite, wishing the food was more enticing—when his parents and Susie came in.

  “Wow, you two look…” Michael searched his mind for a good word to describe it. “Glowing.”

  “I think I just lost ten years of my life,” his mother gushed.

  “I haven’t felt this strong in years!” his father agreed.

  “That’s great,” Michael said. He wished he could feel so good. “Ha! Maybe I should get Susie’s sister to touch me. Maybe I’ll get rid of the damned disease,” he chuckled. Unfortunately, that turned into a cough, which made it so he couldn’t breathe, and before he knew it, he was gasping for air.

  Susie was by his side in a moment laying her hands on his chest. Her gentle thoughts entered his mind. It’s all right. Just relax. Calm breathing. Calm. Her voice was so soothing, Michael found himself breathing easily within a minute.

  “You poor thing!” his mother said, losing her smile. She turned to his father, “Chris, maybe we shouldn’t go.”

  “No, you should,” Michael wheezed. “Susie’s here. She’ll take care of me. I don’t want you to risk getting sick.”

  “He’s right. It’s really too dangerous for you to be here, no matter how much magic you have now,” Susie said, turning a concerned expression on to his parents.

  They hesitated for a moment but then nodded.

  “All right. We just came to say goodbye,” his mother said. Her eyes looked worried, but he could see the love in them all the same.

  “Susie has our numbers, should you—or she—need anything!” his father said.

  Michael did his best to give them a smile, but he was really feeling awful all of a sudden. He nodded. “Thanks.”

  “We love you, Sweetie,” his mother said, waving as they went out the door.

  Susie turned back to him, her eyebrows pulled low. “You don’t look well.”

  “I don’t feel well. I think that’s why I’m in the hospital,” he said, trying to make light of it.

  “Should I call for a nurse? Or the doctor?” she asked.

  “No, I’ll be all right.”

  “I need to get back to work. I’ll try to come back before I go home for the night, okay?” She was really worried. It made him feel good—especially considering how bad he felt physically.

  She was so wonderful. He wanted too much to reach out and touch her, but he didn’t dare.

  Susie was dead on her feet by the time she was ready to leave work. She was just logging off her computer, ready to turn it over to Charelle, who had the graveyard shift, when she remembered that she’d promised Michael she’d see him before she left.

  Hiding a yawn in her elbow, she made up her mind. She would definitely go up and see him—both because she’d promised and because, honestly, she was a little worried about him.

  He had not looked well this afternoon. It was probably all the excitement of his parents coming to visit. It was sweet of them, even though Susie could not approve of how they’d gotten in. Those rules—no visitors—were there for a reason. It wasn’t right of them to use their magic to flout them.

  Hopefully, Michael had slept the whole afternoon and was feeling better, she thought as she rode the elevator up to his floor.

  She was relieved to find his eyes closed when she entered his room. His cheeks looked as if someone had smeared rouge on them, but hadn’t done a great job. She glanced at the machine next to him monitoring his vital signs. His fever was up… way up! It was a little past 104! She debated whether she should call the nurse.

  If he was sleeping, she didn’t want him woken up to be given medicine, and hadn’t someone said it was good to let the fever be? She couldn’t remember.

  She deliberately made a little noise to see if he was really sleeping or just laying there resting.

  His eyes opened. They were glassy and seemed a little unfocused. “Herbs and spices,” he croaked. “Rosemary, cinnamon, myrrh.” His eyes shifted around as if he were looking for these things.

  “Michael, it’s okay. You don’t need any herbs. Should I call the nurse and get you a fever reducer?” Susie asked, beginning to get a little worried. Something hit her in the back. She turned around to see the tv remote control floating in the air. She grabbed it before anyone outside the room could notice.

  The drawer in the bedside table opened and slammed shut on its own, and then the bathroom door. The chair on the other side of the bed went flying backward, hitting the wall.

  Oh, my God, his magic! It had to be his magic! The fever was somehow making it go haywire or something.

  With only a slight nod to protocol, Susie grabbed Michael’s arms and sat down on the edge of the bed next to him. “Michael, you’ve got to stop moving things. Someone’s going to notice,” she whispered loud enough for him to hear. “Michael, please, listen to me!”

  Slowly his gaze shifted toward her as if he were just becoming aware of her presence. “It is just herbs. Rosemary, mint, myrrh, cinnamon.” He paused as if he were listening to someone and then said, “Roses? Yes, roses are quite lovely and will ever so slightly mask the strong scent of the vinegar. I add in a cloth soaked in vinegar.” His hands reached around her hands and grabbed her forearms jus
t as she was holding his. “I consider wearing the mask essential,” he said vehemently.

  Suddenly there was a jolt, a sharp zap of electricity or something. It shot straight from Michael’s hands and into Susie’s arms. Her vision greyed to black.

  Chapter Five

  When Susanna opened her eyes again, the apothecary was still staring at her from behind his odd bird-like mask. It made her shiver, even though her rational mind knew that it was nothing to fear.

  “That’s all it is, my lady,” he said again. “Just herbs and spices,” he reassured her.

  “And, and that helps?” she asked, smoothing her hands down her tight, corseted top to the matching skirt below. She didn’t know why, but her clothing felt strange. Constrictive. She shoved aside the urge to lift her heavy skirts and free her legs. She forced herself to release her skirt and leave it be.

  “Yes. It protects me from the miasma of the disease,” the apothecary said.

  Susanna nodded and returned her attention to her maid, lying prone on the bed next to where she and the gentleman stood. “Is there anything you can do for her?” Tears burned in Susanna’s eyes. “I don’t want her to die,” she whispered.

  “Of course not. You are clearly a kind and caring mistress.”

  Susanna was almost certain she could hear the smile in his voice, she only wished she could see his face. It was most unnerving!

  “She has been with me for years. Since I… since I was twelve,” Susanna admitted. “I don’t know what I would do without her. She’s not just my maid, but my friend, my confidant.” She turned back to the apothecary. “Please, tell me you can do something.”

  “I will give her some medicine, but I don’t know if it will work. I’m sorry. I simply cannot guarantee anything.” He put his bag on a nearby table but then paused. “Er… your mother,” he said almost too quietly for Susanna to hear. “Can she not do anything?”

  Susanna widened her eyes. “You… you know who my mother is?” she asked.