Page 173 of Eternal Craving

“Bring Jacob here?” Marcus asked. “Is that wise?”

Clutching the door handle, I turned to face him. “What choice do I have?”

Waiting outside St. Theresa’s infirmary, I searched the many faces in the crowd. Minutes turned into an hour. I flew from the roof and went in search of him.

It was the usual hustle and bustle of Burberry’s Sunday fair. On foot now, I pushed through the shoppers on either side of me while market owners tried to grab their attention. My gut wrenched in fear that Elijah was amongst them. I neared the hospital’s main entrance and walked under the stone entranceway. I slowed my pace, trying to appear normal, but washit with another wave of fear, and rushed around the corner, bumping straight into Jacob.

He dropped his leather medical bag. “Whoa, steady on.” He gave me a smile.

His features had matured, sharpened in the best ways. He was handsome, yes, but there was something beautiful and tender about him. That surprised me; we were more alike than I had ever realized.

Trying to avoid his gaze by lowering mine, I picked up his bag and handed it back.

Words failed me.

With my head down, I continued walking down the corridor, not wanting him to notice any familiarity. The institution’s scent enveloped me and made me even edgier. I turned to see Jacob still standing at the end of the hallway.

He stared back at me.

I hesitated, then strolled back in his direction.

Jacob turned and headed out.

I raced back up to the tin roofs and continued after him. Jacob’s long strides led him through alleyways that were fast becoming slums.

Panic struck when I saw a shadowy figure looming on top of a roof a few houses down from me. Elijah’s gaze locked onto mine.

In my anger, I’d not thought my decision through. I blamed Sunaria for what I’d just done – unwittingly leading Elijah to my son.

Jacob was oblivious to the drama unfolding above him and trekked on. Four children trailed behind him, and he threw several pennies in their direction.

Elijah shot across the alleyway that Jacob had just passed. He was closing in. I darted between the rickety shacks and landed in a puddle in the courtyard, near where the children were busy counting their coins.

“The physician, which way did he go?” I asked.

The pale-faced children peered up at me. I reached into my pocket and threw the few coins that I had at them. They pointed east. With a painfully normal gait, I strolled in that direction, away from them.

Within the cul-de-sac, the homes were smaller and closer together. A few doors down, Jacob disappeared inside a rundown cottage. Out of nowhere, Elijah dashed into the house right behind him.

The scent of death caught my nostrils as I set foot inside. Whoever my son had arranged to visit had died. A black cat scampered over my foot and hissed. I stepped inside the cottage and entered the largest room, seeing everything in disarray. There, in the corner, clutching his medical bag, stood Jacob.

Elijah turned to me.

Get out,I signaled to him.

“I’m sorry for your loss.” Jacob looked puzzled. “Didn’t I just see you back at the hospital?”

I still couldn’t find my voice.

“Did you come to give the last rites?” Jacob turned to Elijah, trying to get a better look beneath his hood, assuming he was a priest

Well-dressed, I looked out of place, and by Jacob’s expression, he thought so, too. But even stranger than me was the monk-like figure, Elijah.

Elijah’s pale lips quivered. “It appears Sunaria isn’t dead.”

I turned to see Sunaria lingering in the doorway.

“Where do I know you from?” Jacob asked Sunaria, his frown deepening.