Dark Heirloom (An Ema Marx Novel Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

not to snag any of the medical tubes attached to the IV. My bare feet stood firm against the wooden floor boards, but the sensation felt off. I didn’t feel the coolness of the wood I expected, and I couldn’t tell if the floor was smooth or rough. All I felt was the slight pressure of my weight anchoring my feet.
    Maria released my hand and gently prodded my arms, shoulders, and neck. “Do you feel anything at all, darling? Weak, lightheaded, dizzy?”
    I shook my head. “No, I actually feel numb. Was I given painkillers?”
    “No. You’ll get used to the numb feeling in time.” She smiled.
    What does that mean?
    “You had a broken tibia and three fractured ribs when you came in, but you’ve healed beautifully. We can take those tubes out now.”
    She reached for my hand, but I pulled away. “Are you a doctor?”
    “Not quite.”
    “Are you a nurse, then?”
    “I have the skill but not the title. Now, do you want me to remove the needle, or would you like to do so yourself?”
    After a moment’s hesitation, I extended my arm. Maria gripped my hand and gently peeled the medical tape away. I winced in anticipation as she reached for the base of the needle, but felt nothing as it slid out. My fingers flexed as I puzzled over the pallid tone of my skin. What happened to my tan? Then again, I suppose it was normal to be a little pale in my situation.
    “I will send for Master Jalmari,” Maria said. “I’m sure you are wondering what happened. He is better equipped to explain things than either of us.”
    My brow quirked. Who referred to anyone as ‘Master’ in this day and age? Suspicion burned in my chest. I was now positive this wasn’t a hospital and, though I didn’t want to admit it, I had a strong feeling I wouldn’t like whoever Master Jalmari was, but I did want to know what happened to me. “Yes, thank you.”
    She smiled sweetly, then toted the medical equipment out of the room, opening and closing the door behind her like a normal person. I suppressed the urge to ask her to leave the bag of blood behind.
    Definitely lost your mind, Ema.
    I glanced at Jesu, whose emerald eyes traced the contours of my torso. I snatched the blanket and wrapped it around me. With nothing but a white linen nightgown, I was sure he saw a great deal more than he should have. I narrowed my gaze. “And when are you leaving?”
    His regard rose to my face, but he showed no remorse for his uninvited inspection. “I think I will stay.”
    “Can you at least keep your eyes to yourself?”
    A sideways smile dimpled his left cheek. He bowed his head, then fixed his gaze on the scenery outside the window. An awkward silence followed, only it wasn’t really silent. His breath and heartbeat filled the room with an even tempo. I knew I shouldn’t have been able to hear the mechanisms of his body as clearly as I could, but my ears defied logic. His scent, the sweet fragrance of grass after a light rain, filled my mind with memories of spring. The fire snapped, reminding me of the odd darkness, yet how could my eyes discern such vivid detail without daylight, or at least a few lamps?
    I rubbed my palms against my temples. I needed a distraction before the contradiction of my senses drove me insane. “What time is it?”
    “Midnight.”
    “Oh.”
    Back to crazy non-silence.
    “So,” I traced the bed frame with a finger. “Who is this Jalmari guy?”
    Jesu winced. “My brother.”
    “Was he the one who… rescued me?”
    “You can say that.”
    “He brought me here, I mean.”
    “Yes.”
    I couldn’t think of anything else to ask. At least, not anything I thought Jesu would answer.
    The thump of footsteps drew my attention to the door. The sound grew terrifyingly loud as the steps came closer. I cupped my hands over my ears. A musky scent leaked into the room, causing my nerves to tingle. Jesu must have smelled it too, because his attention turned to the door and he moved to the other side of the fireplace. The vast